43 Million Watched Walz-Vance VP Debate, In Significant Drop From 2020 Matchup

It was a calmer, more courteous debate – and less popular overall.

According to Nielsen estimates, Tim Walz and JD Vance’s vice presidential debate drew more than 43 million viewers on Tuesday night.

The 43 million figure is the aggregate audience of 15 television networks that aired the CBS-produced debate. An unknown number of extra individuals saw the debate via YouTube and other internet channels.

43 Million Watched Walz-Vance VP Debate, In Significant Drop From 2020 Matchup

Vice-presidential debates are generally rated lower than presidential debates, and this year was no exception. According to Nielsen, last month’s discussion between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump drew over 67 million people across 17 television networks.

Nonetheless, Tuesday’s viewership was high enough to make the Walz-Vance discussion one of the most-watched single telecasts of the year in the United States.

Four years ago, 57 million people watched the only vice presidential debate of the 2020 election cycle, featuring Harris and then-Vice President Mike Pence. According to Nielsen, 69.9 million people saw Joe Biden and Sarah Palin compete in the most-watched vice presidential debate of 2008.

However, television viewership habits have shifted substantially in recent years. And Tuesday’s viewership was high enough to make the Walz-Vance discussion one of the most watched single telecasts in the United States in 2024.

And those who saw awarded the discussion a thumbs up, praising its relatively courteous and civil tone.

CNN pollsters reported “no clear winner,” but the event left viewers with more positive impressions of both candidates than they had before the debate.” The “overwhelming majority” of viewers “felt the tone of the debate was positive,” CBS stated afterward.

43 Million Watched Walz-Vance VP Debate, In Significant Drop From 2020 Matchup

Typically, the VP duel occurs between presidential debates. However, Trump continues to reject offers of another debate, so the VP debate could be the last of this election season.

The Harris team announced Tuesday night that “she will be in Atlanta on October 23” — the day CNN has offered to conduct a debate there — and that “Donald Trump should step up and face the voters.” Trump said on Truth Social, “I beat Biden, then I beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line.”

SOURCE | CNN