What's happened
Viewership for election night coverage dropped significantly, with 42.3 million tuning in, down from 56.9 million in 2020. Fox News led with 10.3 million viewers, while CNN fell behind MSNBC for the first time. The decline reflects a broader trend of shifting news consumption habits among younger audiences.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Post, Fox News dominated election night ratings with 10.3 million viewers, although this was a decline from its 2020 record. The Independent noted that CNN's viewership halved compared to 2020, reflecting a broader trend of declining interest in traditional news broadcasts. Axios highlighted that the early declaration of Trump's victory may have reduced suspense, impacting viewer engagement. Overall, the shift towards streaming and social media is reshaping how audiences consume news, as noted by multiple sources.
How we got here
The 2024 presidential election saw Donald Trump declared the winner over Kamala Harris early on election night. This marked a shift from the prolonged results of the 2020 election, impacting viewer engagement and ratings across networks.
Common question
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Why Did Election Night Viewership Decline Sharply in 2024?
The 2024 U.S. presidential election saw a significant drop in television viewership compared to previous years. With only 42.3 million Americans tuning in, down from 56.9 million in 2020, many are left wondering what factors contributed to this decline. This page explores the reasons behind the changing landscape of political viewership and its implications for future elections.
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What are the key takeaways from the 2024 election results?
The 2024 U.S. presidential election has resulted in significant shifts in the political landscape, particularly with Donald Trump's victory and the Republican Party's control of the Senate. This page explores the implications of these results, including changes in governance, voter reactions, and the future of key policies.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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CNN is an American news-based pay television channel owned by CNN Worldwide, a unit of the WarnerMedia News & Sports division of AT&T's WarnerMedia.
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MSNBC is an American news-based pay television cable channel, owned by the NBCUniversal Worldwide News Group division of NBCUniversal. It provides NBC News coverage as well as its own reporting and political commentary on current events.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate