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Trump Debate Ratings Boost

Biden and Trump will face off again. CNN hosts the event, but don't expect impartiality from corporate media. Trump debates are the most-watched. Why? Because media corporations profit from our outrage.

Published June 26, 2024 at 4:07am by Kinsey Crowley

The 2024 election's first presidential debate will air Thursday, marking a rematch between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump. Trump's 2016 debut debate remains the most-watched in history.

Nielsen data shows Trump's first debate against Clinton drew 84 million viewers, with past data indicating that a larger proportion of households tuned in for the 1960 debates.

A Look Back at Presidential Debate Viewership:

Trump-Biden Debates: The 2020 debates were dramatic, covering COVID and Trump's controversial remarks about the Proud Boys.

Understanding Nielsen Ratings:

Nielsen measures audience data, including total viewers, households, and TV-owning households that tuned in. While it doesn't capture streaming or online viewers, it remains the primary metric.

Viewership Trends:

Typically, the first debate draws the largest audience, usually in September after nominations.
2020: Biden-Trump debate 1 drew 73.1 million viewers (Nielsen).
2016: Trump-Clinton debate 1 drew 84 million viewers.

Presidential Debate Ratings:

According to Pew, debate viewership as a share of the total TV audience has declined over time.

Nielsen Ratings Comparison:

2020 Biden-Trump:

Debate 1: 40.2%
Debate 2: Canceled
Debate 3: 35.3%

2016 Trump-Clinton:

Debate 1: 47.6%
Debate 2: 37.1%
Debate 3: 41.7%

...

The CNN Presidential Debate:

Airdate: Thursday, June 27, at 9 p.m. ET.