Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s First Joint Interview Gives CNN a Cable News Win With 6 Million Viewers

CNN’s primetime interview with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz drew nearly 6 million total viewers, as the vice president sat for her first TV appearance since accepting the presidential nomination, according to Nielsen fast national ratings. 

The interview, which aired as a primetime CNN special at 9 p.m. ET, ranked the network No. 1 in cable news, more than both Fox News and MSNBC viewership combined, which sat at 2.582 million and 1.307 million, respectively. 

In the key 25-54 demographic, CNN topped cable news ratings with 1.06 million viewers, compared to Fox News’ 302,000 viewers and MSNBC’s 150,000 viewers in the age range. 

The interview special, which lasted around 45 minutes and was conducted by CNN’s Dana Bash, was the network’s best performance in the 9 p.m. hour since hosting the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump in June. Excluding the debate, the interview marked CNN’s best performance in the house since Biden’s inauguration in total viewership. 

Additionally, the interview which aired across all CNN platforms, reached 853,000 live starts on the network’s digital platforms. Live viewers on CNN digital platforms peaked at 9:09 p.m., marking 691% growth compared to the four weeks prior. 

The interview was billed as a score for the network after Harris faced criticism for not sitting for an interview with members of the press since announcing her candidacy and subsequently accepting the nomination at the DNC. Prior to the primetime special, Harris’ most recent TV interview immediately followed Biden’s poor debate performance, when she joined CNN’s Anderson Cooper to defend the President. 

During the sit-down, Bash pressed Harris on her policy positions, including fracking, which had seemingly shifted throughout the years. Harris refuted the notion that she was untrustworthy in terms of her agenda, saying “My values have not changed.” 

Harris also recalled her phone call with Biden after he decided to withdraw his candidacy, in which she asked if he was certain of his choice. 

When asked about how Biden’s endorsement of her came about, Harris said that he had made it clear on the call, that he would support her candidacy. 

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