Democratic Convention Topped Olympics in Viewers, Nielsen Says

By Jonathan D. Salant and Michael White

Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- The just-concluded 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 Senator 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 Senator Barack Obama, 47, became the first black
presidential nominee of a major political party. This year's Olympic
Games 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 households. 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 Senator John Kerry's acceptance speech in Boston four years ago.

More Coverage

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. The 2004 numbers
reflect coverage by six networks and didn't include playbacks, Nielsen said.

Walt Disney Co.'s ABC Inc.'s coverage of Obama's acceptance speech was
the most-watched TV program on Aug. 28, with General Electric Co.'s NBC
Universal Inc.'s coverage in second place, Nielsen reported. They drew
higher ratings than other prime-time programs such as CSI and Grey's
Anatomy, which also aired that evening.

The Republicans gather in Minneapolis-St. Paul beginning Sept. 1 for
their convention, at which John McCain, 72, is to receive the party's
nomination.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jonathan D. Salant in St, Paul,
Minnesota, at ; Michael White in Los Angeles at
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Concerning the price of rice in china:


Due to the restricted nature of the international rice market (less
than 6% of global production) and to the residual character of
exchanges (producing countries produce first and foremost for their
own consumption), international prices are extremely volatile.

International market is not influenced by referential prices, or by
"Chicago Board of Trade" (CBOT) futures quotations - which have no
liquidity. There are few regular publications that indicate current
price levels.

It is still possible to have an idea of the long-term evolution of
rice prices by observing the market of Thai White Rice, 5% Broken. In
fact, this type of rice was chosen as a reference for a futures market
in Bangkok which is scheduled to open at the end of 2003.

It should be noted that there is a weak correlation between the high-
quality low-quality rice markets. They often move in the same
direction (e.g., both of them fell in 2000), however low-quality rice
prices tend to fall more. The intensity of price fluctuations depends
on specific demands for each type of rice.

In many countries, the only available prices are domestic ones which
indicate the prices that buyers are willing to pay growers.

In the case of export prices, the correlation between the different
origins is relatively high for those countries that do not interfere
or regulate prices

"Tim" wrote in message
...

I'm one of the lucky people that don't care for rice.

Unless....unless it's cold with milk and sugar. 8)

On Aug 30, 8:45*pm, "D.Duck" wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message

...

I'm one of the lucky people that don't care for rice.

Unless....unless it's cold with milk and sugar. *8)

maybe a little bit of butter too.

My wife likes steamed tomato's with hers.