Democratic Debate Draws Smallest Audience

[left-of-center2012]

The television audience for Tuesday’s Democratic primary debate was the smallest of any forum so far this year, according to Nielsen Media Research ratings.

Just 8.5 million people tuned into the debate, which was televised on CNN and co-sponsored by the New York Times. That’s less than 8.7 million for the July 30 debate also televised on CNN.

Cable debates typically get lower ratings than those on over-the-air networks, and Tuesday’s event in Westerville, Ohio, also competed against a deciding National League Championship Series game between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

But ratings this year are still historically high by pre-Trump standards, getting an average of 12.4 million viewers. The highest-rated primary debate before 2016 was a Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton matchup in New Hampshire in 2008, which attracted 9.3 million viewers.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-16/steyer-spends-47-million-of-his-own-money-campaign-update?srnd=premium

[hlthe2b]

1. No suprise. I will watch them all, but I had to make myself watch this one...

Twelve is at least six too many on the same stage. It quickly becomes infuriating and nothing more than an interruption context. I appreciate the dilemma and we have a "wealth" of good candidates, but for the viewer, it is interminable.

[crazytown]

2. 12 candidates on stage.

The 2008 NH Debate was a must see after Obama's upset win in Iowa - a real contest,

[LeftTurn3623]

3. Too many people on the stage

Needs to drop to 5 or no more than 6

[NurseJackie]

6. You're right about that. (But if they had added a talent competition and swimsuit competition...

You're right about that. (But if they had added a talent competition and swimsuit competition, then CNN may have gotten more viewers.)

With so many people on stage at the same time, it's just a pageant where the candidates simply smile and wave... and try to avoid tripping over their shoelaces.

[DCofVA]

4. Well, that's good news.

The fewer people who witnessed that mud fight, the better. That was the first debate that made me feel less hopeful for Democratic chances in 2020. Like the blue wave was ebbing. But, as long as Warren and/or Bernie are still in the race, I will always have hope.

[murielm99]

5. Maybe if it had been on network TV

and made more accessible to everyone, there would have been a larger audience.

[Blue_true]

9. Good point. nt

[TidalWave46]

7. These aren't necessarily ratings events, though we would like as many people to tune in as possible.

It's about who wins and who loses the news cycle for the next couple of days.

[ritapria]

8. How about a 6 person debate next time ?

Biden , Bernie , Warren , Harris , Buttigieg and whomever is in 6th place in National l Polling ? ...And how about holding the debate in studio with participants sitting down in chairs ?……