(NNPA)—The Democratic National Convention in Denver was the most-watched since at least 1960 and drew more viewers than the Summer Olympics, according to figures released by the Nielsen Co.

The quadrennial gathering was seen in 27.7 million homes, breaking the record of 21.9 million who tuned in to the 1976 Republican convention, when President Gerald Ford won the nomination over Ronald Reagan; and the 20.7 million who watched the 1980 Democratic convention when President Jimmy Carter beat back a challenge by Sen. Edward Kennedy. The figures are the highest since New York-based Nielsen began keeping track in 1960.

On average, the four-day Democratic convention drew 30.2 million viewers as Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, 47, became the first Black presidential nominee of a major political party. This year’s Olympics averaged 27.7 million. Viewership of the Denver convention was almost 50 percent higher than the 20.4 million who tuned into the Democrats four years ago.

Obama’s acceptance speech before more than 75,000 people at Invesco Field Aug. 28 attracted viewers in 27.7 million homes. The most-watched broadcast, the finale of the CBS television show “M.A.S.H.,” was seen in 50.2 million, Nielsen figures show.

The 38.4 million individuals who watched Obama’s address on television represented a 57 percent increase over the 24.4 million who saw Democratic Sen. John Kerry’s acceptance speech in Boston four years ago.

The convention audience expanded this year after more networks joined in prime-time coverage. The 2008 numbers include viewers who watched on 10 networks, including Spanish-language broadcasters Univision and Telemundo, and replays on digital video recorders.