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TRENDING
Nov. 13, 2024
Decline in 2024 Election Night TV Viewership
Over 42 million viewers tuned in to watch presidential election coverage, down by 25% from 2020, Nielsen says.
Election night TV viewership in 2024 saw a significant
decline compared to previous years. According to Nielsen data, approximately
42.3 million viewers tuned in to watch the coverage across 18 networks between
7 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET on November 5. This represents a 25% drop from the 56.9
million viewers who watched the 2020 election night.
Fox News led the viewership with 10.32 million viewers
during the 8-11 p.m. ET block, followed by MSNBC with 6.01 million and ABC with
5.9 million. Other networks like NBC, CNN, and CBS also saw lower numbers
compared to the previous election cycle. The decline in viewership was notable
across all age demographics, with a significant portion of the audience being
55 and older.
Several factors may have contributed to this decline,
including increased access to digital and streaming platforms, which were not
included in the traditional TV ratings. Additionally, the political climate and
voter fatigue could have played a role in the reduced interest in live election
coverage.
Overall, the 2024 election night highlighted a shift
in how audiences consume news, with traditional TV networks facing growing
competition from digital media sources.
