CNN Biden-Trump debate draws 51.3 million TV viewers, a major drop from 2020

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As a dedicated movie lover who has watched countless debates over the decades, I must express my disappointment with the lackluster performance and low viewership numbers of the 2024 presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump. I have fond memories of past debates that were engaging, informative, and even entertaining, but this one was a brutal viewing experience.

As a movie buff, I was eagerly waiting for the curtain to rise on the highly anticipated first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign between the two contenders. However, when the numbers came in, I was disappointed to find that only 51.3 million viewers tuned in, a far cry from the record-breaking viewership of over 75 million during the 2020 debate between President Biden and former President Trump.

During the summer, when CNN held their event in Atlanta, the number of viewers according to Nielsen was much lower than the 73 million people who tuned in during late September 2020 for the presidential debates.

Another perspective is that viewers might grow tired of the candidates, whose approval ratings among the general public are relatively low.

Based on my experience working in media and observing the growing trend towards online streaming, I can say that the lack of data on online viewership during the recent debate is a significant oversight. I have seen firsthand how people increasingly consume news and entertainment through various streaming platforms. The debate being available across numerous streaming sites means that the online audience was likely substantial. CNN’s announcement of 2.3 million simultaneous live views on their properties at 9:47 p.m. Eastern only scratches the surface of the actual viewership numbers. My prediction is that if we had access to the data, we would see a much larger number, reflecting the changing media consumption habits of today’s audience.

During the event, Biden at times seemed disoriented and struggled to keep his thoughts in order, making for a harsh viewing experience for the audience. Additionally, Trump frequently made erroneous statements about various topics including his economic history, abortion rights, and the January 6th Capitol insurrection.

CNN organized and oversaw the debates between the presidential candidates, with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash serving as hosts. This marked the first instance where a singular network held exclusive editorial authority over a general election debate. The event was broadcast live on other networks and cable channels through a shared video feed.

Critics on social media and after the debates questioned CNN’s choice not to fact-check the candidates instantly during the event. Many believed this benefited Trump, who frequently spread misinformation.

As a devoted cinemagoer, I can describe my experience of the 90-minute debate as follows: I found myself in a quiet studio, devoid of the energy and excitement that usually comes with an audience or candidate entourages. The atmosphere felt clinical and sterile, making for an unusual viewing experience.

But Biden’s stunningly lackluster performance — considered the worst since President Reagan struggled through his first debate with Walter Mondale in 1984 — was the story of the night. Even in the Democrat-friendly confines of MSNBC, the dominant theme during post-debate analyses was whether the party will consider replacing the 81-year-old Bidenon the ticket.

As a devoted viewer, I can attest that CNN’s branding of this event significantly boosted its viewership numbers. On average, an impressive 9.53 million people tuned in to the network – a noteworthy 5% increase from the viewership we witnessed during the initial 2020 debate.

With 9.3 million viewers, Fox News ranked second in cable news viewership for the evening. Despite working with CNN to air a simulcast and extensively promoting it, Fox News’ conservative commentators frequently accused Tapper and Bash of bias against Trump during their shows. However, after the event, their stance shifted.

During the event, ABC drew in the largest audience with a total of 9.21 million viewers. Next in line was NBC with 5.17 million viewers. CBS had 4.8 million viewers, while MSNBC boasted 4.1 million. The Fox broadcast network attracted 3.48 million viewers, and Telemundo and Univision followed closely behind with 829,000 and 704,000 viewers respectively. Fox Business Network reported 372,000 viewers, and HLN had the smallest audience of 251,000.

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2024-07-18 22:00