Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumDemocratic debate on CNN sees steep ratings drop
The first night of CNNs Democratic debate in Detroit drew 8.7 million television viewers, a steep drop from last months event hosted by NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo. The June event brought in 15.3 million viewers across the three networks on night one, with 18.1 million tuning in for the second night, a Democratic primary record.
Digital viewership was also down for Tuesday night, with CNN announcing that 2.8 million watched via livestream. NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo said they drew more than 9 million livestream viewers on the first debate night in June.
The TV networks that sponsored last months Democratic debate had the advantage of being first, when viewers would surely be curious to see the sprawling field onstage, and also of airing across broadcast, cable and Spanish-language television. Viewership can also be expected to decrease in the middle of the summer, with the final two days in July a tough slot to draw eyeballs.
Still, its a significant decrease and follows the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez, touting ratings last month as evidence of enthusiasm in the party. People understand that democracy is not a spectator sport, he told POLITICO in Miami. CNNs moderators on Tuesday tried to avoid some of the onstage interruptions and cross-talk of last months debate by rigidly enforcing time limits, a strategy that kept down the chatter but also drew criticism for abruptly cutting off the candidates.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/31/democratic-debate-ratings-cnn-1442627
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Dough
(17,314 posts)And CNN's abrupt treatment of the candidates while giving them so little time to respond surely won't help with future debates, unless they change the format.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)My Mariners won another game while the debate was happening (saw that afterwards), and let's not forget the Bachelorette finale last night. Yes, I call it the "fake dating show", but I've seen more than just ABC News "covering" the "story" in their news feeds.
My prediction is that tonight will see better ratings, casual viewers are looking for some fireworks, and they knew they weren't going to get what they wanted last night.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Dough
(17,314 posts)Hot start to the season but they've cooled off big time. But, hey, my Rockies aren't much better!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)But, to be a lifelong Mariners fan is to know how to deal with disappointment.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Dough
(17,314 posts)with Griffey Jr. until he departed for the Reds.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)I went to a lot of home games that year, and we still have the best season record in MLB history. Things were golden until we met the Yankees in the playoffs.
Yes, I know that New York City needed all the psychological boost it could get that year, but did it have to happen in "our" year? I've joked that a Mariners-Cubs World Series is a sign of the end times in the holy books of at least four major world religions.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)I bet that was partly responsible.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bluewater
(5,376 posts)And that the debate was up against a new America's got Talent episode.
oy...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bluewater
(5,376 posts)Biden has received the most media coverage this primary cycle, he might draw a bigger audience.
Plus CNN has been hyping a Biden versus Booker + Harris confrontation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
HerbChestnut
(3,649 posts)There's just too many candidates on the stage for there to be much meaningful discussion, and splitting the debate into two nights probably doesn't help either.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
rogue emissary
(3,148 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)people paid attention to "the first debate." But they aren't going to be equally enamored with every subsequent debate, at least until it's whittled down to candidates who actually have a shot at winning.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JaneQPublic
(7,113 posts)The first set of debates could be watched on NBC, an "antenna" network.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
elocs
(22,597 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
IADEMO2004
(5,557 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to left-of-center2012 (Original post)
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TSIAS
(14,689 posts)There needs to be a single debate with all the top tier candidates. Last night had four of the leading candidates -- Buttigieg, Delaney, Sanders, and Warren. But without Biden or Harris these debates aren't complete. Once we get down to those six who can win the ratings will improve.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Kaleva
(36,328 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Rhiannon12866
(205,845 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden