Reuters reports: "The Fox News cable channel made a bit of television history by drawing more viewers than any of the Big Three broadcast networks on the opening night of major coverage of the Republican convention, according to figures issued on Wednesday.

Fox News’ presentation of Tuesday’s speeches by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Laura Bush drew 5.4 million viewers, more than broadcasters ABC, CBS or NBC.

That marked what is believed to be the first time a cable channel has grabbed the biggest audience for a telecast of a single event covered by all the networks, Fox said.

Combined viewership during the 10 o’clock hour in which the Big Three joined cable outlets Fox News, CNN and MSNBC in carrying Tuesday’s proceedings totaled nearly 22.2 million, according to Nielsen Media Research.

That was up from the 18.5 million six-network total for the first night of the Democratic convention in July, when former President Bill Clinton addressed the delegates.

NBC was a close second behind Fox with 5.1 million viewers, followed by CBS with 4.4 million and ABC with 4.3 million. NBC’s sister cable network, MSNBC, was fifth with 1.6 million viewers, and CNN was dead last with 1.5 million."