20.3 million people watch Biden's statement on assistance to Ukraine and Israel
Some 20.3 million people watched US President Joe Biden's prime-time speech on Thursday night, in which he spoke about aid for Israel and Ukraine during the war.
Source: Reuters with reference to data from Nielsen
Details: This is a larger audience than Biden was able to attract in June 2023 when he gave a prime-time speech in the Oval Office announcing a bipartisan deal to end the debt ceiling crisis.
Nielsen stated that the speech attracted only 6.2 million viewers and was picked up by only the two largest US TV broadcasters.
Thursday's audience figures were calculated for 10 US television and cable networks, including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC.
Two-thirds of viewers watched Biden's 15-minute speech on TV networks, while 35% were tuned in on cable.
Nielsen stated that more than three-quarters of the TV audience was over 55 years old.
Background:
- In his address on Thursday, US President Joe Biden called this moment in history an "inflection point", a battle between the world's democracies and autocracies.
- Biden also condemned the actions of Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that the attacks on Israel and the invasion of Ukraine have common motives.
- On Friday, 20 October, US President Joe Biden sent an "urgent budget request" to Congress to support Israel and Ukraine.
Support UP or become our patron!
