Live From Hofstra… Will Tonight Smash the All-Time Viewership Record for American Debates?

I’m here live in the media overflow area from the campus of Hofstra University in Long Island, where the first general election debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will kick off in under an hour. It’s being touted as the Super Bowl of Politics, and somehow I can’t shake the thought that Bill Belichick will find a way to win.

Although tonight will likely smash the all-time viewership mark for Nielson ratings, which debate in American history has held that mark? Many have been impressive by debate standards; 1992 saw a very high level of interest in the debates, and Obama v. Romney in 2012 also scored well. But nothing up until this point has come even close to October 28, 1980: Ronald Reagen v. Jimmy Carter.

That is, until now. Expectations put the first Clinton v. Trump slugfest at well over 100 million viewers across a dozen networks and social media livestream. Time will tell; but until the folks at Nielson report back with their metrics, kick back and enjoy a truly bizarre and unprecedented night in history of American politics.

—
J.D. Durkin (@jiveDurkey) is an editorial producer and columnist at Mediaite.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!