Most-watched presidential debates on television
The most-viewed presidential debates, since they began regularly in 1976.
1. Hillary Clinton (D) vs. Donald Trump (R), first debate, 2016 — 84 million viewers.
2. Ronald Reagan (R) vs. Jimmy Carter (D), only debate, 1980 — 80.6 million viewers.
3. Bill Clinton (D) vs. George Bush (R) vs. Ross Perot (I), second debate, 1992 — 69.9 million viewers.
4. Jimmy Carter (D) vs. Gerald Ford (R), first debate, 1976 — 69.7 million viewers.
5. Ronald Reagan (R) vs. Walter Mondale (D), second debate, 1984 — 67.3 million viewers.
5. George Bush (R) vs. Michael Dukakis (D), second debate, 1988 — 67.3 million viewers.
7. Barack Obama (D) vs. Mitt Romney (R), first debate, 2012 — 67.2 million viewers.
8. Bill Clinton (D) vs. George Bush (R) vs. Ross Perot (I), third debate, 1992 — 66.9 million viewers.
9. Barack Obama (D) vs. Mitt Romney (R), second debate, 2012 — 65.6 million viewers.
10. Ronald Reagan (R) vs. Walter Mondale (D), first debate, 1984 — 65.1 million viewers.
10. George Bush (R) vs. Michael Dukakis (D), first debate, 1988 — 65.1 million viewers.
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Source: The Nielsen company.
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