ABC News’ Special Coverage of the CNN Presidential Debate Wins Across the Board, Outdelivering Broadcast Networks by Double Digits

ABC News’ “The Race for the White House” special coverage of the “CNN Presidential Debate” ranked No. 1 among the broadcast networks in Total Viewers (8.696 million), Adults 25-54 (2.238 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.887 million), based on Nielsen’s Fast National ratings. “World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir led coverage with ABC News’ powerhouse political team.

• ABC (9:00-10:38 p.m. EDT) outdelivered the coverage of the first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle on NBC (5.170 million, 1.443 million and 1.176 million, respectively, 9:00-10:38 p.m. EDT) by 68% in Total Viewers, 55% in Adults 25-54 and by 60% in Adults 18-49.
• ABC outperformed the coverage of the first presidential debate on CBS (4.812 million, 1.301 million and 1.042 million, respectively, 9:00-10:38 p.m. EDT) by 81% in Total Viewers, 72% in Adults 25-54 and by 81% in Adults 18-49.
• For the 2nd time in the last three presidential debates, ABC News stood as the 1 broadcast network across the board — on 06/27/24 and 09/29/20.
• For the 4th straight presidential debate, ABC News was the most-watched broadcast network — on 10/19/16, 9/29/20, 10/22/20 and 06/27/24, respectively.

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 Live + SD Fast National Program Ratings, 06/27/24 or as dated. Fast National Ratings do not include Out of Home Viewers.

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Van Scott
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Brooks Lancaster
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