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

[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.