Topline
Thursday night’s debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden drew about 22.87 million viewers across three broadcast networks, a 6% drop from the two candidates’ first faceoff last month, according to early ratings from Nielsen released Friday.
Key Facts
These preliminary “fast national” ratings, first published by the Hollywood Reporter, do not include people who watched on cable networks, streaming services, or outside of their homes.
Data from cable channels and some streaming TV services will be released Friday afternoon, and are expected to cause the preliminary numbers to increase considerably.
Unlike in the first debate, only three broadcast networks carried the debate — ABC, NBC and CBS — because Fox stuck with its Thursday Night Football broadcast.
This is a developing story; it will be updated.