(COMMON DREAMS) Lauren McCauley, December 21, 2015 — After Saturday’s debate drew the lowest TV ratings so far this primary season, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is under fire—yet again—for setting a schedule that rival candidates say was designed deliberately to “protect” frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
According to Nielsen data out on Sunday, roughly 6.71 million viewers tuned in to the third 2016 Democratic debate, which aired during prime time the Saturday before Christmas. In comparison, the first and second Democratic debates drew 15.3 million and 8.5 million viewers, respectively, while the three most viewed Republican debates saw 25 million, 23 million, and 18 million viewers.
When asked following Saturday’s match up if he thought the DNC scheduled the debate deliberately to minimize viewership, Sen. Bernie Sanders stated, “Yes, I do.”