Oct. 6 (Bloomberg) -- The televised debate between U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney and Democratic Senator John Edwards last night attracted about 43.6 million viewers, 50 percent more than the vice presidential debate four years ago.

The 90-minute broadcast from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland was viewed by 41 percent of households watching TV at the time, compared with 36 percent, or 29.1 million people, in 2000, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The debate attracted more viewers than the Academy Awards presentations on Feb. 29, making it one of the year's most- watched programs. The Academy Awards telecast drew an audience of 43.5 million. The first debate between President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry last week was watched by about 62.5 million people, according to Nielsen.

The meeting of the vice presidential running mates last night yielded a split decision about who won, according to instant polls by CBS News and ABC News. ABC found that 43 percent of viewers surveyed said Cheney won and 35 percent picked Edwards. CBS said 41 percent of respondents to its survey named Edwards the winner and 28 percent favored Cheney.

The debate included disagreements between the candidates over the war in Iraq, foreign policy and domestic issues.

Nielsen measured viewers watching the debate on General Electric Co.'s NBC and MSNBC networks, ABC, CBS, News Corp.'s Fox and Fox News Channel, and Time Warner Inc.'s CNN.

To contact the reporter on this story: Michael White in Los Angeles at mwhite8@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 6, 2004 18:11 EDT