Over 67 Million Viewers Watched ABC News’ Presidential Debate

The heavily-anticipated showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Tuesday night was seen by 67.135 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Hosted by ABC News and simulcast across 17 networks, the Harris/Trump match-up was the most-watched presidential debate of the 2024 election season. It easily topped CNN’s June 27 debate, which attracted 51.3 million viewers

Still, these numbers didn’t match the first debate between Trump and Hilary Clinton in 2016, which 84 million viewers watched. The Harris/Trump debate was down -20% in total viewers compared to that debate.

Meanwhile, the first debate between Trump and President Joe Biden in 2020 drew 73.1 million viewers, which translates to an -8% dip for Harris/Trump in comparison. But the ABC News debate did outdraw the second Biden/Trump match-up, which brought in 62.9 million viewers. That’s a +7% bump in favor of Harris/Trump.

ABC News led all the networks in total viewers and the advertiser-coveted Adults 25-54 audience with 19.049 million viewers and 6.596 million demo viewers from 9-10:45 p.m. (All times ET.) It was the most-watched debate on any network in at least 16 years.

NBC News was the No. 2 network, with 10.075 million total viewers and 3.744 A25-54 viewers. Fox News led the way among the cable networks with 9.062 million total viewers and 1.942 million demo viewers.

In the streaming landscape, ABC News Live saw 7.4 million viewers across streaming and digital platforms including Hulu, Disney+ and ABC Owned Television Station apps. Meanwhile, NBC News Now recorded its largest primetime audience, seeing an +89% gain over its previous benchmark—the final night of the 2024 DNC.

Here’s how the nets performed in total viewers and the demo. (Data is from Nielsen Media Research)

9-10:45 p.m

ABC: 19,049,000 total viewers; 6,596,000 A25-54

NBC: 10,075,000 total viewers; 3,744,000 A25-54

FNC: 9,062,000 total viewers; 1,942,000 A25-54

MSNBC: 6,381,000 total viewers; 1,236,000 A25-54

CBS: 6,189,000 total viewers; 1,904,000 A25-54

Fox: 4,845,000 total viewers; 1,901,000 A25-54

CNN: 4,389,000 total viewers; 1,575,000 A25-54

9-11 p.m.

FNC: 9,000,000 total viewers; 1,900,000 million A25-54

MSNBC: 6,500,000 total viewers; 1,200,000 million A25-54

CNN: 4,400,000 million total viewers; 1,600,000 million A25-54

8-11 p.m.

FNC: 7,776,000 total viewers; 1,622,000 A25-54

MSNBC: 5,589,000 total viewers; 1,028,000 A25-54

CNN: 3,628,000 total viewers; 1,262,000 A25-54

Lastly, here’s a historical breakdown of presidential debate ratings:

Presidential Debate Telecasts: 1960-2024

YEAR	NETWORK	DATE	CANDIDATES	RATING %	Households (in millions)	Total Viewers (in millions)
2024	ABC (17 Networks)	Sept. 10	Harris – Trump	21.2	45.571	67.135
2024	CNN (16 Networks)	June 27	Biden – Trump	16.3	34.531	51.27
2020	16 Networks	Sept. 29 (Debate #1)	Trump – Biden	40.2	48.6	73.1
2020	15 Networks	Oct. 22 (Debate#2)		_	_	63
2016	14 Networks	Sept. 26 (Debate #1)	H. Clinton – Trump	47.6	56.4	84.0
2016	11 Networks	Oct. 9 (Debate #2)		37.1	44	66.55
2016	13 Networks	Oct. 19 (Debate #3)		41.7	49.5	71.6
2012	12 Networks	Oct. 3 (Debate #1)	Obama – Romney	40.4	46.2	67.2
2012	12 Networks	Oct. 16 (Debate #2)		40	45.6	65.6
2012	11 Networks	Oct. 22 (Debate #3)		35.9	41.2	59.2
2008	13 Networks	Sept. 26 (Debate #1)	Obama – McCain	31.6	36.2	52.4
2008	13 Networks	Oct. 7 (Debate #2)		38.8	44.4	63.2
2008	12 Networks	Oct. 15**** (Debate #3)		35.0	40.0	56.5
2004	7 Networks	Sept. 30 (Debate #1)	Bush – Kerry	39.4	43.0	62.5
2004	7 Networks	Oct. 8 (Debate #2)		29.6	32.5	46.7
2004	7 Networks	Oct. 13**** (Debate #3)		32.6	36.3	51.2
2000	7 Networks	Oct. 3***	Gore – Bush	31.7	32.4	46.6
2000	7 Networks	Oct. 11****		26.8	27.5	37.6
2000	7 Networks	Oct. 17		25.9	26.3	37.7
1996	5 Networks	Oct. 6	Clinton – Dole	31.6	30.6	36.1
1996	5 Networks	Oct. 16 *		26.1	25.3	36.3
1992	4 Networks	Oct. 11 **	Bush – Clinton – Perot	38.3	35.7	62.4
1992	4 Networks	Oct. 15		46.3	43.1	69.9
1992	4 Networks	Oct. 19		45.2	42.1	66.9
1988	3 Networks	Sept. 25	Bush – Dukakis	36.8	33.3	65.1
1988	3 Networks	Oct. 13		35.9	32.5	67.3
1984	3 Networks	Oct. 7	Reagan – Mondale	45.3	38.5	65.1
1984	3 Networks	Oct. 21		46.0	39.1	67.3
1980	3 Networks	Oct 28	Carter – Reagan	58.9	45.8	80.6
1976	3 Networks	Sept. 23	Ford – Carter	53.5	38.0	69.7
1976	3 Networks	Oct. 6		52.4	37.3	63.9
1976	3 Networks	Oct. 22		47.8	34.0	62.7
1960	3 Networks	Sept. 26	Nixon – Kennedy	59.5	28.1	N/A
1960	3 Networks	Oct. 7		59.1	27.9	N/A
1960	3 Networks	Oct. 13		61.0	28.8	N/A
1960	3 Networks	Oct. 21		57.8	27.3	N/A

(Source: Nielsen Live+Same Day. Viewing Prior to 2006 is Live.)

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Over 67 Million Viewers Watched ABC News’ Presidential Debate

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