Yahoo News Where to watch the Trump-Biden U.S. presidential debate in Canada: Live stream, TV channels, start time, debate rules and more
We all have our reasons for tuning in, but thankfully there are also quite a few different ways to watch Donald Trump and Joe Biden make history
The first 2024 U.S. presidential debate, between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, has finally arrived. Taking place today in Atlanta at the CNN studios, it's set to draw international attention.
It's viewed as a debate that could change the trajectory of their campaigns. After going head-to-head in 2020, the upcoming debate will be monumental as it marks the first in U.S. history between a sitting and former president. Making their way toward November's election, it'll offer a 90-minute platform that they can use to differentiate themselves and attract voters, while trying to clear any misinformation about their positions. It's expected they'll share opposing views on immigration, abortion, the war in Gaza and more, as their performances could also look to dispel whether they're too old to be president in the first place.
The debate comes on the heels of the Biden administration releasing an ad attacking Trump's recent felony convictions. For Trump, it's expected that he'll weaponize the recent felony conviction Hunter Biden received in his gun trial.
This time around, there will be no studio audience, as both Trump, 78, and Biden, 81, have also agreed to muting their microphones when the other is speaking. It's part of a new set of rules and debate format heading into Thursday night — an event that will be hosted and moderated by CNN, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Canadians will be sure to watch what's going on south of the border, in what is scheduled to be the first of two presidential debates. Luckily for us, there are plenty of viewing options to choose from, including this article, which will host a live stream by CNN at the top of the page. But for now, let's get into what to know for Thursday's presidential debate.
How to watch the 2024 CNN presidential debate
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Kickoff time: 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT
Streaming: CNN YouTube via Yahoo Canada, CBC Gem, CTV News
TV channels: CNN, CTV News Channel, CBC News Network, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and PBS
Location: CNN's Atlanta studios
When and what time does the debate start
The debate will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, June 27. Many networks will have their own preview shows, some starting at 7 p.m.
What channel is the debate on in Canada
Networks will be carrying a simulcast of the CNN presidential debate. If you have a cable package, such as through Bell or Rogers, you’ll have access to the debate. Just look for CNN, CTV News Channel, CBC News Network, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and PBS, as part of your cable package.
For example, through Bell, CNN is on channel 500; CTV News Channel is 501; and CBC News Network is on 502. For HD, look to 1500, 1501 and 1502, respectively. For Rogers, see here.
How to stream the Trump-Biden debate
For a stream, watch the CNN Presidential Debate right here on Yahoo Canada at the top of this article. For exclusive post-debate analysis, you can also watch on CNN.
Digital services like Rogers Ignite TV and Bell Fibe are other options to access channels like CNN, CTV News Channel, CBC News Network, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and PBS.
If you don't have cable, you can also watch the 90-minute debate on CBC News Explore through CBC Gem, the public broadcaster's free streaming service. CTVNews.ca will also be hosting the broadcast on its site.
How can I watch the debate on my phone or mobile device?
CBC Gem and CTV News, as well as digital watch services like Rogers Ignite TV and Bell Fibe, are available through apps that you can download for most devices, such as your phone.
What are the debate rules?
The debate will see major shifts from prior telecasts, which Biden and Trump have both agreed to. They include:
No live audience, which means there will be no applause or boos that could derail the conversation.
Muted microphones when it’s not their turn to speak.
No prewritten notes are allowed.
The only props they’re permitted to have at the lectern are a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
They will stand behind their lecterns the entire time, limiting their mobility — with Biden on the right and Trump on the left.
There will be no opening statements from either candidate.
Trump will get the final word during closing statements, as determined recently by a coin flip.
Who’s moderating the debate?
Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, co-hosts of CNN’s Sunday morning show State of the Union, will serve as moderators.
Tapper hosts CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper and has prior debate experience. He previously moderated the first GOP presidential debate in 2015 as well as the last Democratic debate in 2020 between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. His latest series, The United States of Scandal, highlights the most prolific political scandals of the 20th century and was picked up for a second season in May.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and author of several books, Tapper previously worked as a senior White House correspondent for ABC News, according to his biography on CNN.
"That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck,” says @JakeTapper about the first presidential debate between Pres. Trump and Joe Biden. “We’ll talk about who won the debate, who lost the debate ... One thing for sure, the American people lost.” #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/wjMnUmt2WS
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) September 30, 2020
Bash, a graduate of George Washington University, anchors CNN’s Inside Politics with Dana Bash and has regularly served as moderator for numerous political town halls and debates — including six presidential primary debates in 2016 and two in 2020.
Author of the forthcoming book America’s Deadliest Election, which chronicles the 1872 presidential election, Bash launched her digital CNN series Badass Women of Washington in 2017 and premiered her latest interview series, Being…, in 2021.
For more on how Tapper and Bash might approach the debate, considering their histories with both Biden and Trump, see here from Yahoo News.
Will other presidential candidates appear as well?
No. In order to qualify for Thursday’s debate, a candidate had to appear on a certain number of state ballots that would make the candidate eligible to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency. The candidate also had to reach at least 15 per cent of votes in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters, according to CNN.
Only Biden and Trump met those qualifications. Third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West and Jill Stein failed to hit those benchmarks.
Are there other debates planned?
Yes. The second presidential debate is set for Sept. 10 and will be hosted by ABC News, with the network’s own David Muir and Linsey Davis serving as moderators.
It’s still unclear whether the second debate will have an audience, but ABC did confirm that it will be held during primetime.
Trump has stated he wants to have more than two debates, but no dates for a third have been set as of June 23.
With files from David Artavia at Yahoo News
