CNN is sharing its presidential debate with rivals. But there are strings attached
LA TimesPresident Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden during the first 2020 presidential debate at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. CNN’s deal to produce the first debate of the 2024 presidential election cycle is a major coup for the news network. Every presidential debate held since 1960 has aired commercial free across the major broadcast networks and, in later years, on cable news outlets CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. CNN is also requiring other outlets to refer to the event as the “CNN Presidential Debate.” If a network runs any on-air promotions or advertising for the telecast, it must be referred to as the “CNN Presidential Debate Simulcast” and use artwork provided by CNN. “CNN will provide the debate for free on CNN.com and make it available across a wide variety of news sources in order to reach as many Americans as possible.” While no formal announcements have been made, all of the major networks and news channels are expected to carry the debate, according to several executives at CNN’s competitors.