What do you get when 6 inches of snow collides with a historic presidential inauguration? Eye-popping television ratings in the Triangle.
The Nielsen numbers show that the Raleigh-Durham TV market had the largest concentration of viewers watching President Barack Obama's inauguration of anywhere else in the nation -- a higher percentage than even Obama's hometown of Chicago.
More than 51% of the snowbound Triangle's households were tuned in for the daylong festivities. For the nation as a whole, just under 30 percent of households watched.
Though it was likely killing local news anchors not to be on all day showing freezing reporters in parkas and crumpled cars in ditches, their stations were thrilled with the Snowbama ratings effect.
John Idler, general manger for WTVD, said the ABC station's ratings -- 15.9% of households -- were higher than expected. He attributed that to the fact that people had "more time to watch" (actually, for us native southerners who are incapacitated by even a half-inch of snow, a more accurate description might be "trapped like rats." Celebratory rats, but trapped all the same.).
CBS affiliate WRAL had the highest rating in the market -- 17.9%-- during the noon to 12:15pm period when Obama took the oath. (A ratings point equals about 10,800 homes). WRAL general manager Steve Hammel called the numbers "extraordinary," and said viewership was higher than on most Super Bowl Sundays.
Nationally, the Obama inauguration was the most watched presidential Inauguration in recent times, after Ronald Reagan's swearing-in in 1981 (Reagan drew 37.4%). To see more on Inauguration ratings, check out the Nielsen site here.
Brooke Cain isn't always proud of the number of hours she logs in front of the TV, but her loss of brain cells can be your gain. From reality shows to sitcoms to the more serious stuff, Brooke keeps her DVR smoking so that she can help keep you in the know. Brooke also tweets for Happiness is a Warm TV (you can follow 
