TV Ratings: First Presidential Debate Down Sharply in Early Numbers

[brooklynite]

Source: Hollywood Reporter

The first presidential debate of 2020 was widely panned by most observers — and is on track to draw a far smaller audience than the record-setting first debate four years ago.

Fast national ratings for the broadcast networks show the debate gathering 28.82 million viewers across ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox — a decline of 36 percent from 2016. Four years ago, the big four networks tallied 45.3 million viewers in the preliminary ratings, rising to 49.33 million after time zone adjustments for the live broadcast. Early figures from Spanish-language networks Telemundo and Univision show about 2.5 million people watching on those two outlets.

Tuesday's ratings will adjust upward by a decent amount in the final ratings, which will include time zone adjustments and out of home viewing (the latter wasn't part of Nielsen's count in 2016). Cable news channels and other outlets will also add millions to the total, but it's exceedingly unlikely that this debate will come close to the first face-off four years ago. (This story will be updated as more numbers come in.)

The first presidential debate of 2016 drew 84.4 million viewers across 13 networks, the biggest audience in the 60-year history of televised debates. In 2012, 67.2 million watched the opening debate; the 2008 figure was 52.4 million. Tuesday's telecast is likely to end up in between the 2008 and 2012 numbers.



Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-tuesday-sept-29-2020-presidential-debate-1

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[bucolic_frolic]

1. That may save our bacon - if it means undecideds are few rather than motivation to vote is low /nt

[DonaldsRump]

2. I don't think our bacon needed saving

Joe did a fine job with this monster and showed empathy with the audience, a command of facts, an ability to dish it back to a narcissistic bully, and stamina.

That being said, I do agree with you: most have made their minds up, and these "debates" aren't going to change that. If anything, although some deplorables are going to be more excited to vote for the Fat Impeached Interrupting Infector-in-Chief, other Republicans that have an ounce of sense left are likely not going to vote at all or note vote for Trump.

While I had no doubt that Joe could keep up with this fool, I was slightly worried. But, Joe done good!

[Midnight Writer]

3. "Nobody turned off the debate in progress"? I find that hard to believe.

[Phoenix61]

4. Looks like ofthose that made it to 9:30.nt