The first televised debate between US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump drew 47.9 million viewers Thursday night across all networks, down dramatically from the first televised battle of the previous campaign.

The show, which was produced by CNN and presented by two of the network’s journalists, had an audience down 35% compared to the 73.1 million viewers that the program had attracted on September 29, 2020, when the same candidates had faced off.

The second debate ahead of the 2020 presidential election had attracted 63 million viewers.

Despite the big drop, Thursday’s broadcast was the highest of 2024 — excluding sports — for American television, CNN said in a statement.

The network offered others the option to rebroadcast it, which all major television stations did, including rival Fox News.

CNN itself drew 9.04 million viewers, followed by Fox News (8.8), according to the former’s numbers. Adding those who watched the show through its website, which streamed it for free, and local channels, the network said it had an audience of 11.4 million people.

This latter figure is clearly higher (+27%) compared to CNN’s performance in the first debate of 2020.

The show marked a turning point for President Biden, who appeared several times confused and at times incoherent — in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s usual gloom and hostility.

US media reports of intense concern, even panic, in the Democratic camp after the broadcast; some columnists say it may be time for the president to drop out of the race.

Mr. Biden ruled out that scenario yesterday.