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What channel will you have on for the debate tonight?

by Bob Sassone, posted Oct 15th 2008 5:05PM
Earlier this year I asked readers which network had "the best political team on television." CNN officially uses the line, but it doesn't mean it's true. Though I do have to say that I find myself watching CNN the most this election season because they truly do seem to go out of their way to be fair and bal...

OK, I won't say that exact phrase, but they do have a good mix of people, from Dems Paul Begala and Donna Brazille to Republicans William Bennett and Alex Castellanos, not to mention analysts like Gloria Borger and John King. It can get pretty unwieldy though, all those pundits spread across various tables. It's like that big World Series of Poker room mixed with a game show set, and if you have HD and can see the scorecards on the sides of the screen, it actually is like a game show.

Tonight's final Presidential debate will be telecast on many different channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, CSPAN, PBS, and BBC America (FOX has the Dodgers/Phillies game). I don't get MSNBC on my cable system anymore (unless I want to pay extra), and I never think of turning on BBC America for their U.S. politics coverage, though I bet it's interesting. I bounce between CNN and CBS, but what channel will you be watching it on tonight?

What channel are you watching the debate on tonight?
ABC45 (6.4%)
CBS20 (2.8%)
NBC82 (11.6%)
MSNBC79 (11.2%)
CNN194 (27.6%)
Fox News116 (16.5%)
PBS58 (8.2%)
CSPAN30 (4.3%)
Other (say in comments)19 (2.7%)
I'm not watching the debate61 (8.7%)

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28 Comments

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Europa

QVC. :D

October 16 2008 at 3:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul

I switch between Fox and CNN. MSNBC is awful. Both Fox and CNN have balanced and unbalanced people. I think though by switching between the two, one gets a better grasp of the whole thing. In the end everyone has some bias no matter what. I think both tries to be fair and balance - at least a good portion of their people. But yes both networks also have the couple of people on there that's just way over the top on one side of it.

October 16 2008 at 12:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tool

I usually watch MSNBC. But I really like CNN's coverage of the debates and I like their panel who discusses what just happened.

Although I am a liberal, I like to hear a more balanced perspective than what I have been seeing lately on MSNBC. In particular, I like David Gergen on CNN; plus, I like to hear Paul Begala and James Carville who have a partisian yet adroit analysis of the race.

October 16 2008 at 10:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ac

I watch the debates in a public lounge (It counts as experiential learning for a class) and they had CNN on. I think the gauge on the bottom of the screen was a great idea. I don't bother listening to the commentary I just bail as soon as the debate ends.

October 16 2008 at 9:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lorie

I bounce b/w ABC and CNN during the debate b/c sometimes I get tired of CNN's graphics. I tape CNN's post-debate analysis.

October 16 2008 at 7:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doug

For the debates themselves, I watch iton any HD feed. But for the post and pre game its MSNBC. They just dont have an HD channel in my area. C-SPAN was the go to channel for the conventions. Unlike "the eye", "the peacock", and all other networks that broadcasted both conventions, C-SPAN actually showed both conventions, in full, with EVERY speaker. Those who watched anywhere else probably thought the conventions were nothing more than one 30 minute speech. Some of the best moments from the DNC (Barney Smith, Brian Schweitzer, Tammy Duckworth) never saw the light of day on the network and cable news channels

October 16 2008 at 1:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kathy Beaumont

I watch MSNBC all the way. I love the commentary of Keith and Rachel, and all of their guests. I don't get why HD picture or fancy sound has anything to do with the debate. No commercials there, either.

October 16 2008 at 12:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tronewy

I always watch on PBS because of no graphics then turn over to CNN for a little reaction, I love me some Anderson Cooper.

October 15 2008 at 10:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jusitn

Current for Hack the Debate!

October 15 2008 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tv junkie

ABC, then Pushing Daisies after the debate, here in the west coast.

October 15 2008 at 8:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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