The TV ratings for Trump and Biden’s first presidential debate of 2024 are in and show that 47.9 million viewers tuned in to CNN to watch the showdown.
Voters react to first 2024 presidential debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in Atlanta for the first presidential debate ahead of the 2024 election.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump went back and forth Thursday during the first presidential debate of 2024 on CNN, and TV ratings show that millions tuned in to watch the two candidates argue about the Russo-Ukrainian War, the U.S. border and their golf swings.
Around 47.9 viewers watched the 90-minute Biden and Trump debate last night, according to CNN. The debate went live at 9 p.m. ET and CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash co-moderated the event.
The CNN Presidential Debate was aired on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max and it was available to stream without a cable login on CNN.com. The event was simulcast across 22 networks, CNN reported.
- CNN drew 8.7 million viewers on its flagship channel, including 3 million in the 25-54 demographic, the network announced Friday.
- Fox News drew 8.8 million viewers,
- ABC News had 8.7 million viewers
- MSNBC garnered 3.968 million viewers, CNN said.
- NBCUniversal News Group (NBC News, MSNBC and Telemundo) averaged 9.934 million total viewers on linear, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals.
Although no figures were disclosed, the debate also drew the largest audience on record for CNN on the Max streaming service, according to the network. Over 30 million views were generated on CNN’s digital properties and on YouTube.
“Across CNN’s digital platforms, the debate was CNN’s biggest debate ever and tied with our biggest live stream event ever with 2.3 million concurrent live views at 9:47 p.m,” the network said.
How did Trump vs Biden 2024 compare to previous presidential debates?
In comparison, 73.1 million viewers watched the first presidential debate of 2020 between Trump and Biden, according to Nielsen Media. The ratings from Thursday night’s debate reflect a 35% drop in audience from 2020, CNN reported.
The 2020 debate occurred on Sept. 29, 2020, and was hosted at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2020 debate was aired on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, TEL, UNI, PBS, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business Network, FOXNC, MSNBC, Newsmax, Newsy, VICE and WGNA.
Trump and Biden’s infamous first debate fell behind in viewership only to the 80.6 million who tuned in to watch the Jimmy Carter and Ronald Regan debate in 1980, and the 84 million who watched the Hillary Clinton and Trump debate in 2016, according to Nielsen Media.
When is the second presidential debate?
The second presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 10 on ABC, and David Muir and Linsey Davis will serve as the moderators.
The second debate’s format has not been announced, but candidates will have to meet the qualifications to participate, including receiving at least 15% in four separate national polls, appearing on enough state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold and agreeing to follow the rules of the event.
Vice presidential debate scheduled for the summer
Despite Trump not selecting a vice-presidential running mate yet, a debate between current VP Kamala Harris and Trump’s eventual VP is scheduled for later in the summer on CBS News. An official date has not been announced, but Harris’ team confirmed it will take place on either July 23 or August 13, according to CNN.
The possible frontrunners to be Trump’s VP are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Marco Rubio of Florida.
Contributing: Sarah Gleason/ USA TODAY, Emily DeLetter/ USA TODAY and George Fabe Russell/ USA TODAY
