• by Wayne Friedman , October 12, 2012

The biggest social media interactions on Thursday night were dominated by the Vice Presidential debate -- over 8 million.

Some 12 networks took part in airing the debate with social results spread pretty evenly -- ranging anywhere from 630,000 social messages to nearly 770,000, per Trendrr, the social media research company.

CNN tallied the most with its "Debate Night in America" -- some 766,817 messages. MSNBC was next with its "Vice Presidential Debate" at 704,991. Third place went to the biggest broadcast network in this category -- ABC. Its ABC News "Your Voice, Your Vote: 2012 Vice Presidential Debate" got to 699,921. Fox News Channel "America's Election HQ" hit 682,676. Next was NBC's "Vice Presidential Debate" with 671,567.

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises came from Current -- the midsize cable news network, which came in sixth just behind NBC. Its "Politically Direct: Vice Presidential Debate" took in 668,467.

After that: "Fox News: Vice Presidential Debate" was 651,331; "CBS News: The Vice Presidential Debate," 651,308; CNBC's "Your Money, Your Vote: The Vice Presidential Debate," 648,811; "PBS NewsHour Debates 2012: A Special Report," 644,320; and Univision's "Debate Vice Presidencial," 640,838.

The only general entertainment shows of the night that were able to compete were CW's "The Vampire Diaries," starting up its new season and getting to 527,131 and Fox's "The X Factor" at 404,207.

Earlier TV viewer results show that CBS' Vice Presidential debate coverage took top honors, with a Nielsen preliminary 10.4 million viewers, and a 2.1 rating/5 share among 18-49 viewers. NBC was at 6.7 million and a 2.1/5; Fox, 5.3 million overall viewers and a 2.0/5; and ABC, 6.9 million and a 1.8/4.

Overall, CBS won the night with "Big Bang Theory" the top show (4.2/13 among 18-49 viewers and 13.8 million viewers). CBS was at 2.7/7; Fox, 2.4/6; NBC, 1.9/5; ABC, 1.7/5; CW, 1.4/4; and Univision, 1.4/4.

The new season premiere of CW's "The Vampire Diaries" took in a 1.6/5 among 18-49 viewers, up 7% from a 1.5/5 a year ago. In its key viewer group, women 18-34, it improved 9% to a big 2.5/8. Overall viewers climbed at well: 3.5 million viewers, up from 3.1 million.

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