Live Earth Bombs in Nielsen Ratings

What happened to the two billion people that were predicted to watch? OK, granted this just covers the United States, but these are abysmal, Olbermann-esque numbers that just cannot be spun in a positive fashion.

Viewers don't warm up to 'Live Earth' coverage

NEW YORK -- NBC's three-hour primetime "Live Earth" special, which included highlights from Saturday's global concerts, failed to generate much enthusiasm in the ratings.

The estimated 2.7 million viewers was slightly under the 3 million viewers NBC has averaged on Saturday nights in the summer with repeats and the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs on what is already the least-popular night of television.

It also performed below the Live 8 concert two years ago, according to preliminary estimates released Monday by Nielsen Media Research.

The three-hour concert special from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., drew a 0.9 rating/3 share in adults 18-49 --- the same as a typical summer Saturday after Memorial Day.

The special was also just under ABC's primetime coverage of the Live 8 concert, which occurred Independence Day weekend on July 2, 2005. Live 8 averaged 2.9 million viewers and a 1.0 rating/5 share in adults 18-49.

But ... but ... but this was the biggest event in the history of mankind, addressing a "grave crisis" that imperils us all!

Al Gore's hologram was unavailable for comment.