Night Two Averages 18.1 Million Television Viewers Across the Three Networks
#1 Dem Debate in History in Both Total Viewers and the Key A25-54 Demo
Plus an Additional 9 Million Live Stream Viewers
June 28, 2019 – NBC News, MSNBC and Telemundo made television history with the most-watched Democratic debate ever for night two of the first Democratic presidential debate, averaging 18.1 million total viewers across the three networks, according to Nielsen Fast National Data. Last night’s debate was also the top Democratic debate ever in the key A25-54 demo and attracted more than 9 million live stream viewers, surpassing the metrics on the previous night.
The second night of the DNC-sanctioned debate averaged 18.1 million television viewers, with 5.3 million in A25-54 and 4.4 million in A18-49 across NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo from 9:00-11:00pm ET.The debate live stream saw 9 million viewers and 14 million video views across all platforms last night, including NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, Telemundo.com, NBC News NOW on OTT devices, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Users spent an average of over 50 minutes watching the debate via on-net platforms, longer than the previous night, according to Adobe Analytics.
Last night’s debate surpassed the previous highest-rated Democratic presidential primary debate (10/13/2015) by +2.6 million total viewers (+17%) and +378,000 viewers in Adults 25-54 (+8%). Compared to night one of the Democratic debate, TV viewership was up by +2.8 million viewers (+19%) and +936,000 viewers in Adults 25-54 (+22%) with all three individual networks seeing growth.
The digital debate content garnered more than 27 million total views for the day and more than 45 million total views for both nights, across all platforms and devices. NBC Stay Tuned’s coverage of the debates attracted more than 2.5 million users, 75% under the age of 25. Across OTT devices, more than half of the viewers who watched the first debate, also tuned in to the second night.
The Democratic debate was moderated by Lester Holt, anchor of NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC, Savannah Guthrie, TODAY co-host and NBC News chief legal correspondent, Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press and NBC News political director, Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and José Díaz-Balart, anchor of Noticias Telemundo and NBC Nightly News Saturday.
Thursday’s debate featured the following ten candidates: Sen. Michael Bennet (CA), former Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (South Bend, IN), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Sen. Kamala Harris (CA), former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA), author Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
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NBC NEWS AND MSNBC
More Americans watch NBC News and MSNBC than any news organization in the world. NBC News’ award-winning television news broadcasts include TODAY, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Meet the Press with Chuck Todd, Dateline NBC, TODAY with Hoda and Jenna and Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, as well as primetime specials and breaking news reports. For the most recent 2017-2018 season, all four NBC News marquee broadcasts were #1 in the key news demo for the third year in a row. MSNBC is the premier cable destination for breaking and live news coverage, in-depth analysis, and influential voices – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The rapidly-growing NBC News Digital Group, including its streaming news service NBC News NOW, along with the SiriusXM TODAY Show and MSNBC radio channels and NBC News Radio on the iHeartMedia 24/7 News Network, provides continuous content to consumers wherever they are, whenever they want it.
NBC News and MSNBC are part of the NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast Corporation. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit www.NBCUniversal.com.
NOTICIAS TELEMUNDO
Noticias Telemundo is a leading news provider for U.S. Hispanics. Its award-winning television news broadcasts, airing from the Telemundo Center, include the daily newscast “Noticias Telemundo” with José Díaz Balart, “Noticias Telemundo Fin de Semana” with Julio Vaqueiro, “Noticias Telemundo Mediodía” with Felicidad Aveleyra, the “Un Nuevo Día” news segment with Paulina Sodi, and the Sunday current affairs show “Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart.” The “Noticias Telemundo Digital Team” provides continuous content to U.S. Hispanics via its growing online and mobile platforms. “Noticias Telemundo Investiga” produces investigative reports and in-depth documentaries. “Noticias Telemundo Planeta Tierra” offers environmental and climate change related information. In addition, “Noticias Telemundo” produces award-winning news specials, documentaries and news events such as political debates, forums and town halls.
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NBC News contact:
Dana Klinghoffer/212-664-4088
MSNBC contact:
Lorie Acio/212-664-6733
Telemundo contact:
Camilo Pino/305-322-9584
