The showdown between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was the most-watched presidential debate ever, with 84 million viewers.
The Nielsen company said the viewership, over 13 different networks, toppled a record that had stood for 36 years. The previous record for presidential debate viewership was the 80.6 million people who saw the only debate in 1980 between incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter and his Republican challenger Ronald Reagan.
At the time of the Carter-Reagan debate, the U.S. population was 226 million. Now, it is 324 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
No debate since then had exceeded 70 million viewers.
Social media was humming, too, with Nielsen saying there were some 17.1 million Twitter interactions involving 2.7 million people on Monday. Tivo said that the moment during the debate that caused more people to pause their television and play back what was said came near the end, when Trump said that he will “absolutely support” Clinton if she is elected president.
Clinton has some bragging rights at home. When final results are in, the audience for her first presidential debate will more than double what her husband, former President Bill Clinton, received for his last presidential debate in 1996 (36.3 million viewers).
Only the Super Bowl annually commands a television audience of that size. The biggest audience in U.S. television history was the 114.4 million people who watched the 2015 Super Bowl between New England and Seattle.
The news was particularly good for NBC. Not only did it have more viewers than any other network showing the debate, but “Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt’s reviews as moderator were more positive than Matt Lauer received for his interviews with the candidates at a national security forum earlier this month, or CNBC anchors when they did a GOP debate last fall.
Watching the debate was nerve-wracking for NBC Universal chief executive Steve Burke because of the pressure on Holt. Burke said at an appearance in London on Tuesday that Holt “ended up doing a very good job.”
Holt was not available for an interview on Tuesday.
Some Republicans were unhappy with Holt, suggesting that he was unfair because he asked tougher questions of Trump, and challenged his facts on issues like Trump’s support for the war in Iraq and a court case involving the “stop-and-frisk” method of policing.
That may account for an overnight change of thinking by the candidate. Interviewed by reporters immediately after the debate, Trump said that “I thought Lester did a really good job” and that he thought Holt brought up the topics he wanted.
Several hours later, on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends,” Trump said he thought Holt earned a C or a C-plus for his debate performance, and that he asked unfair questions.
The second of three scheduled debates will be Oct. 9. The “town hall”-style forum will be moderated by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC News’ Martha Raddatz.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
luvu2 says
More Left-wing moderators and more bias.
Lifestford says
True paid to do what they are told to do right or wrong and blacked listed if they don’t I know one that loves Trump but can’t even make a suggestion for fear of loosing her job
robert lionberger says
Well you see what can happen when the moderator and the press are both against Trump
don’t believe for a minute that The liar Hillary won its all a performance against Trump Vote Trump even more No liar or Hillary mafia in the white house
Harvey Nichols says
Why were so many watching,like the debate of 1980 between Reagan and Carter,which i watched and remember quiet well people are sick of the way our Nation is headed and are very interested in anything Trump has to say,just as they were when they tuned in to watch Ronald Reagan. This Nation is ready,finally to move on from the socialist experiment we have been going through the last eight years finally realizing that Obama is destroying the United States and Hillary will only continue the destruction and they and will elect Donald Trump in a landslide,by millions of votes………………….
Justin W says
Donald doesn’t get to control everything. Between now and his next debate he needs to bring in some experts who can help him turn the tables on unfair questions. Life isn’t fair. That doesn’t mean Donald can’t prevail.
Paula says
why is that FBI suspect, criminal cabalist, one world totalitarian traitor, seller of America to beheaders, Hillary Clinton allowed to run for POTUS?
Rob c says
If I were coaching Trump I would tell him when the moderator is obviously trying to attack him with a gotcha question or a manufactured lie of a story, to answer as follows. I realize that you want me to confuse the voters by going down a path that you have chosen to make me look bad but instead I would like to ask about? The Clinton foundation or speak to illegal immigration or national security or the economy that would serve us all better period. And then tell his view points on something that matters to the voters turn it around on them every time.
Caroline Cofer says
to ROB …YES YES that is the very right way to do it!! that smarmy moderator should be embarrassed at his slimy sneaky support of Clinton, and nasty interruptions and five times as many questions to Trump without allowing time for the answers. Why were there so many lefties applauding from the audience, did they not allow any righties in?
Also, Trump needs to forget most of what looks like ” respect ” because SHE is not a LADY…no , not, never, no way , no time, nadie, ninguno, nada. He would be better served, and so would WE, if he responded to Clinton in an absolutely neutral way and answered his questions without noticing interruptions. She does not deserve any respect ; maybe he could get her to lose her infamous temper on stage, and get her to screaming stupidities at him…perhaps even have a public…well…never mind, because I AM a lady. Carrie Cofer
ONTIME says
According to new revelations about Shrillary the crook, her tactics designed to cheat with video taped electronics and a source claiming she got copies of the debate questions prior to the event, this 1st debate was a composite of major sham aided by cheating on behalf of the heroine of the left…….
AW says
HOLT IS NBC……….TRUMP & NBC HAD A PARTING OF WAYS!!!!!! NATURALLY, HOLT IS “BI-ASSED”!
Pamela Pearson says
Congratulations to the candidate that has awakened the American public to the election process and the importance of voting. Trump should go down in history as a pivotal influence in educating sleeping giants – US citizens, celebrate your freedom and VOTE.
Pamela Pearson says
First debate strategy perhaps brilliant. The debate was one night. Now for days and days every media outlet spends 24/7 pointing out all of the things he should have said (far more derogatory than anything Mr. Trump mentioned). Trump has not needed to spend millions on advertising just stand back and let the media do the work. Wise use of time and money smart businessman.
Two more to go!