Democratic debate on CNN sees steep ratings drop

[left-of-center2012]

The first night of CNN’s Democratic debate in Detroit drew 8.7 million television viewers, a steep drop from last month’s event hosted by NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo. The June event brought in 15.3 million viewers across the three networks on night one, with 18.1 million tuning in for the second night, a Democratic primary record.

Digital viewership was also down for Tuesday night, with CNN announcing that 2.8 million watched via livestream. NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo said they drew more than 9 million livestream viewers on the first debate night in June.

The TV networks that sponsored last month’s Democratic debate had the advantage of being first, when viewers would surely be curious to see the sprawling field onstage, and also of airing across broadcast, cable and Spanish-language television. Viewership can also be expected to decrease in the middle of the summer, with the final two days in July a tough slot to draw eyeballs.

Still, it’s a significant decrease and follows the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez, touting ratings last month as evidence of enthusiasm in the party. “People understand that democracy is not a spectator sport,” he told POLITICO in Miami. CNN’s moderators on Tuesday tried to avoid some of the onstage interruptions and cross-talk of last month’s debate by rigidly enforcing time limits, a strategy that kept down the chatter but also drew criticism for abruptly cutting off the candidates.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/31/democratic-debate-ratings-cnn-1442627

[True Dough]

1. The middle of summer is not the best time to improve ratings

And CNN's abrupt treatment of the candidates while giving them so little time to respond surely won't help with future debates, unless they change the format.

[customerserviceguy]

8. Plus, there were all kinds of other things going on

My Mariners won another game while the debate was happening (saw that afterwards), and let's not forget the Bachelorette finale last night. Yes, I call it the "fake dating show", but I've seen more than just ABC News "covering" the "story" in their news feeds.

My prediction is that tonight will see better ratings, casual viewers are looking for some fireworks, and they knew they weren't going to get what they wanted last night.

[True Dough]

10. Oh, you're a Mariners fan

Hot start to the season but they've cooled off big time. But, hey, my Rockies aren't much better!

[customerserviceguy]

11. It was so easy to be one in that first month

But, to be a lifelong Mariners fan is to know how to deal with disappointment.

[True Dough]

12. At least you had those seasons in the sun

with Griffey Jr. until he departed for the Reds.

[customerserviceguy]

14. Ah, 2001!

I went to a lot of home games that year, and we still have the best season record in MLB history. Things were golden until we met the Yankees in the playoffs.

Yes, I know that New York City needed all the psychological boost it could get that year, but did it have to happen in "our" year? I've joked that a Mariners-Cubs World Series is a sign of the end times in the holy books of at least four major world religions.

[OKNancy]

2. Don't laugh but the Bachelorette finale was on ABC

I bet that was partly responsible.

[bluewater]

4. I heard that!

And that the debate was up against a new America's got Talent episode.

oy...

[bluewater]

3. It will be interesting to see the ratings for tonight's debate.

Biden has received the most media coverage this primary cycle, he might draw a bigger audience.

Plus CNN has been hyping a Biden versus Booker + Harris confrontation.

[HerbChestnut]

5. Once the field whittles down people might be more interested.

There's just too many candidates on the stage for there to be much meaningful discussion, and splitting the debate into two nights probably doesn't help either.

[rogue emissary]

6. LOL, but we have to have the debates there so crucial!

[qazplm135]

7. not surprising

people paid attention to "the first debate." But they aren't going to be equally enamored with every subsequent debate, at least until it's whittled down to candidates who actually have a shot at winning.

[JaneQPublic]

9. Not everyone has cable.

The first set of debates could be watched on NBC, an "antenna" network.

[elocs]

16. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! And the answer was so simple. n/t

[DesertRat]

17. Exactly right. nt

[IADEMO2004]

13. Live music for me tonight. sorry CNN DVR set.

[TSIAS]

18. The format is the problem

There needs to be a single debate with all the top tier candidates. Last night had four of the leading candidates -- Buttigieg, Delaney, Sanders, and Warren. But without Biden or Harris these debates aren't complete. Once we get down to those six who can win the ratings will improve.

[Kaleva]

19. I imagine the ratings will decline as the debates go on.

[Rhiannon12866]

20. And the truth is that most people aren't paying attention