The first election debate between President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden, in which the two rivals scolded each other, attracted fewer viewers than the first game four years ago between presidential candidates Trump and Hillary Clinton.
This is evident from the first preliminary viewing figures, reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
An estimated 28.8 million people tuned in to the big four channels ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, less than the record number of 45.3 million viewers in 2016. Not all viewing figures have been received yet.
Ultimately, at least 84.4 million people watched the debate four years ago, the most massive audience in the 60-year history of such single combat on American television.
The Hollywood Reporter now expects a figure well below that record.