• by Wayne Friedman , September 5, 2008

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin pulled big numbers for the broadcast networks for her Wednesday speech, with the best results coming from NBC.

Her speech--as part of the convention's overall event--earned a Nielsen preliminary 2.4 rating/6 share on NBC, well ahead of ABC (a 1.6/5) and CBS (a 1.3/3). All three networks earned higher ratings than a week ago, when the Democratic National Convention aired. Analysts say this was probably because Palin is a relatively unknown political candidate.

Collectively, the three networks this week grabbed 17.4 million viewers--almost 2 million more viewers than the week before, The Democratic National Convention earned 12.5 million. A week ago, among 18-49 viewers, NBC pulled in a 1.6/5, with ABC and CBS each grabbing a 0.9/3.

Along with NBC's 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. special "America's Got Talent," which earned a 2.7/7, the network gained a second-place win on the night with an average of 2.6/7.

But the biggest news of the night went to Fox, with its two-hour season debut of "Bones"--which, at a strong 3.3/9, was the best-performing show of the night. That number was also Fox's average for the night, giving the network the win on Wednesday.

After CW's strong start this week with season debuts of "Gossip Girl" and "90210," the network had a lower initial outing for its perennially best-rated show. "America's Next Top Model," its 11th edition, grabbed its lowest premiere numbers to date: a 1.7/5 among 18-49 viewers.

The two-hour premiere posted more competitive younger adults and younger women numbers. It came in third among 18-34 viewers on the night--but was still down versus a year ago.

Univision came in third among 18-49 viewers with a 1.9/5, CW was next at a 1.7/5, and CBS came in fifth overall on the night with a 1.4/4. ABC finished with a 1.3/4.