Las Vegas – An estimated 64.6 million people watched the final debate between White House contenders Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on TV on Wednesday, below the audience for their first encounter but in line with their second face-off, according to preliminary figures on Thursday.
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Nielsen data supplied by Fox News showed that about 36 million watched Wednesday’s debate on the four main U.S. networks, while about another 28 million tuned into cable channels.
The first Clinton-Trump face-off in September attracted a total TV audience of 84 million, the largest in the history of U.S. presidential debates.
Last week’s second debate, which was broadcast opposite popular “Sunday Night Football,” was seen by 66.5 million.
Final figures, including those for smaller networks that carried the debate live, will be released by Nielsen later on Thursday.
The figures reflect only those who watched the debate on TV at home and do not include millions more who watched online, through social media or in bars and restaurants.
The third debate ahead of the Nov. 8 election was marked by Republican Trump’s refusal to commit to accepting the outcome of the election if he loses to his Democratic rival, challenging a cornerstone of American democracy.[nL1N1CQ1HW]
“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” – Thomas Paine.