This just in from CNN: "A combined 47.9 million total viewers watched the CNN Presidential Debate on television...

[demmiblue]

This just in from CNN: "A combined 47.9 million total viewers watched the CNN Presidential Debate on television last night" across all the networks where it appeared.

This total TV audience is sharply down from 2020, when about 73 million people watched the first Trump-Biden debate. This decline was expected since 1) 2024 is a repeat episode; 2) this debate was in the middle of the summer; and 3) more and more people are relying on streaming

Streaming viewership is measured separately and differently, but CNN says the debate "generated more than 30 million views" on CNN's platforms and YouTube, and "this number continues to grow." (Streaming views aren't the same as TV viewers.)

Bottom line: This was the "highest rated CNN program in history," and it was a great night for democracy *, with more than a dozen networks simulcasting the debate. But the TV ratings are also further proof of political FATIGUE in America. Many people are tired and tuned out.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

*... it was a great night for CNN's bottom line. There, FTFY.

[LeftInTX]

1. I watched on YouTube

[maxsolomon]

2. I feel validated that I didn't.

Also my blood pressure thanked me.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Frankly, I just didn't want to see Trump

And his whiney-ass orange-puckered piehole. He's such an idiot and so corrupt. Who wants that stink in their home?

[Doc Sportello]

4. More than 155 million votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election

So that means that about 100 million who voted last time didn't watch the debate. Even with the streaming views a lot of voters just aren't that interested, at least right now. I think Biden's performance will be forgotten in November.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. I was not one of them.

I elected to continue watching "Hitler and the Rise of the Nazis" which is much more interesting, although scary when you compare the behavior of redhatters and the brownshirts. I cannot stand to look at the Slobfather's doughy face and fish mouth (I would call it something else but not quite in the mood today).
I'm pretty annoyed at the MSM's portrayal of Biden today, though. And of Democrats "panicking" and "in disarray",. What?

[Talitha]

6. I'm not sure if they included me as having 'watched' the debate or not.

I recorded it on DishTV. As it was being recorded, I watched a movie and kept checking the 'debate threads' here in DU. As expected, there were plenty of Members' complaints about Dump lying - so I deleted the recorded debate without watching it.