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Sara Fischer: VP debate draws over 43 million viewers, down 25% from 2020
This piece is by WWSG exclusive thought leader, Sara Fischer.
The vice presidential debate between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was watched by 43.15 million Americans Tuesday night.
Why it matters: Tuesday night’s face-off, a rare showing of civility in today’s political climate, served as a throwback to an era when debates featured extended clashes over policy stances.
Yes, but: The 2024 debate’s ratings were down 25% from 2020’s vice presidential debate between then Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence, which had nearly 58 million viewers.
By the numbers: The debate, hosted by CBS News, was simulcast live on more than a dozen major broadcast and cable networks at 9pm ET Tuesday night.
- CBS News drew the most viewed (9.6 million), followed by Fox News (7.9 million), ABC (6.3 million), NBC (5.6 million), MSNBC (4.8 million), CNN (3.3 million) and Fox (2.5 million).
Reality check: Like most modern political events aired live, the vast majority of television viewers were over 55.
The big picture: Tuesday’s debate is likely the last of the presidential election season.
- Historically, presidential candidates square off three times ahead of the general election, while their vice presidential nominees debate once.
- Former President Donald Trump has indicated that he will not participate in another debate with Vice President Harris.
What to watch: This election cycle marked the first where the Commission on President Debates did not run any of the general-election debates. In a hyper-partisan political climate, its future remains uncertain.
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