According to Nielsen Fast National data cited by CNN, over 51 million people watched the television debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on June 27 (as of 5 p.m. ET on June 28).
The debate was hosted by CNN but was also simulcast on 22 networks and streamed online.
Of the 51.3 million TV viewers, 9.5 million watched on CNN’s main channel, 9.3 million on Fox News, 9.2 million on ABC News, and 4.1 million on MSNBC, according to CNN.
CNN also reported that there were 3.4 million viewers aged 25-54 who watched it on their main channel.
The network stated that the debate attracted 2.5 million online streamers and received over 30 million views online, making it CNN’s most-watched digital event in history.
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However, the debates in 2020 and 2016 had much higher viewership compared to this first 2024 debate.
This year’s debate, with no studio audience and rules allowing CNN moderators to mute the candidates’ mics, was more subdued than previous presidential debates.
The main topics during the over 90-minute broadcast were the economy, abortion, border security, climate change, and foreign policy.
The evening was characterized by multiple gaffes, mid-sentence pivots, and both candidates sometimes avoiding the moderators’ questions.
President Biden, who had a raspy voice at times during the debate, faced challenges throughout the evening.
Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged that the president had a “slow start” after the debate.
She emphasized that the American people will be making a choice in November.
The president, on June 28, commented on his debate performance.
“But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job.”
The next scheduled debate between President Biden and former President Trump will be on Sept. 10 on ABC News, moderated by anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
A vice presidential debate between Ms. Harris and former President Trump’s running mate, expected to be announced at the GOP convention (July 15 to July 18), is anticipated on July 23 or Aug. 13.
President Biden’s campaign has agreed for CBS to host it on either date, while the Trump campaign has accepted an invite for one hosted by Fox News, on July 23 or Aug. 13.
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