New York:
Charismatic Sarah Palin's debut as a political commentator on Fox News was a ratings hit for the popular cable channel.
Palin recently signed a multi-year contract with Fox News. And, her first appearance as an on-air analyst on Tuesday night's 'O'Reilly Factor' drew 3.954 million total viewers - more than everything else on the channel in the 8 PM hour combined, the 'Huffington Post' reported.
CNN's 'Campbell Brown' placed second with 999,000 total viewers, MSNBC's 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' third with 906,000 total viewers and HLN's 'Nancy Grace' fourth with 704,000. It was also enough to beat ABC's primetime programs from 8:30-11:00.
In fact, 45-year-old Palin's debut on 'O'Reilly' drew more than her appearance on the 'Factor' to promote her book in November, which averaged 3.868 million total viewers. Her debut analyst appearance also drew 993,000 A25-54 viewers.
Interestingly, at her debut appearance, Palin slammed a new book about the 2008 presidential campaign which largely portrays her as wholly unprepared for the national stage and poorly versed in a range of pressing issues.
"These reporters were not any part of what I was doing there as the VP candidate. I don't know who they're. I've not met these guys," said Palin, who became an overnight celebrity as John McCain's running mate for the Republicans in the 2008 presidential election.