Millions Actually Watched The Inauguration, Just Not From The Ground

<p>Videos and images on social media are comparing Donald Trump&#39;s inauguration crowd to Barack Obama&#39;s. But that&#39;s just half the story.</p><p>According to the Nielsen Co., which tracks TV-watching habits, a lot of people&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2017/nearly-31-million-americans-watch-president-donald-trumps-inauguration.html" target="_blank">watched the inauguration</a>&nbsp;from home &mdash; nearly 31 million.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/what-fans-and-critics-expect-from-president-donald-trump/">What Trump Fans (And Critics) Are Expecting From His Presidency</a></b></p><p>Nielsen didn&#39;t factor in online streaming, so viewership of the inauguration might have been even higher.</p><p>That number surpasses the inaugurations for George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, but not Obama&#39;s first inauguration.</p><p>Nearly 38 million people watched Obama take the oath of office in 2009.</p><p>President Ronald Regan holds the record with almost 42 million people tuning in to his ceremony in 1981.</p><p>Nielsen has been tracking inauguration viewers since 1969, and overall, Trump&#39;s total ranks fifth.</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/yes-the-women-s-march-had-real-goals-a-lot-of-them/">Yes, The Women&#039;s March Had Real Goals — A Lot Of Them</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/meet-the-protesters-at-the-women-s-march-on-washington/">Here Are Those &#039;Paid Protesters&#039; Donald Trump Always Talks About</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/on-the-national-mall-what-the-trump-presidency-might-be/">Supporters, Detractors Describe Hopes For Trump&#039;s Presidency In 1 Word</a></li></ul>