How to stream the first presidential debate

You don't need a TV to watch the first of three presidential debates.
By Sasha Lekach  on 
How to stream the first presidential debate
Trump v. Biden will go down across the internet. Credit: composite: Paul Hennessy / SOPA Images / Shutterstock / Andrew Harnik / AP / Shutterstock

The first presidential debate airs Tuesday night, pitting Donald Trump against the Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The contenders will discuss COVID-19, race and violence, the Supreme Court, and other topics.

Many broadcast and cable TV stations will show the 90-minute, commercial-free debate live from Cleveland with Fox News' Chris Wallace hosting.

But cord-cutters do have some options. Here's how to watch the debate on your computer, tablet, streaming stick, smart TV, or smartphone starting at 9 p.m. ET.

Live TV services

The debates will be on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, and MSNBC. These (paid) services in the U.S. will have these channels available:

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
  • Sling TV: CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News on Sling Blue. Bloomberg, Newsy, and Cheddar on Sling Orange (you can watch ABC News Live on the free tier or add the News Extra combo to either package for HLN and BBC World News, or Fox Business and CNBC)

  • fuboTV: Fox News, CNBC, MSNBC, Cheddar News, Newsy, and Univision

  • Hulu + Live TV: ABC News Live, CBS, Cheddar Business, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, and Telemundo

  • YouTube TV: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Cheddar, Fox News, Fox Business, Newsy, and Telemundo

Social media

  • Twitter: You'll be able to watch the #Debates2020 live directly on Twitter. Tweeting while viewing is optional.

Streaming platforms

Roku Channel on Roku devices offers streams from ABC News, Newsmax, Yahoo!, and USA Today. Google Chromecast is connected to the YouTube app along with other news apps. Amazon's Fire TV and Stick, Apple TV, and Xbox and PlayStation consoles will all have access to apps and news channels that will be showing the debates.

YouTube and news sites

C-SPAN's YouTube channel is the go-to for cut-and-dry debate viewing. Many other news channels like NBC News, Yahoo Finance, and Fox Business (along with The Washington Post, PBS Newshour, ABC News, CBS News, and Telemundo in Spanish) will also be streaming on their respective YouTube channels. Searching for "presidential debate 2020" on YouTube with the "Live" filter should bring up plenty of results.

For live analysis and commentary alongside a livestream of the debate, head to the The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC, and Washington Post websites.

Apps — iOS and Android

The Logically app will stream the debates alongside a scrolling timeline of fact-checks in real-time.

Watch through the app. Credit: Logically
Watch and learn. Credit: Logically

Most news outlets will have a streaming option through their Android and iOS apps, but to access live content for some, you'll need to sign in with your cable provider:

  • Univision

  • ABC News

  • CBS News

  • CNN

  • Fox News

  • NBC News/Peacock

  • PBS Video

  • Reuters TV

Topics Politics

Mashable Image
Sasha Lekach

Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.


Recommended For You
Save big on a new Nintendo Switch Lite and get 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' for free
Nintendo Switch Lite bundle on orange abstract background

PS5 Pro: Everything we know so far
PS5 promo with DualSense controller

PS5 Slim vs. PS5: What are the differences?
PS5 Slim vs. PS5 visualization

Score a refurbished Xbox Series X for just $299 at Woot!
Xbox Series X on blue and white abstract background


More in Entertainment
Rabbit R1: I spent 17 hours with it — and something's iffy about it
Rabbit R1 device in a woman's hand



Microsoft launches Phi-3 Mini, a tiny AI model that packs a punch
a futuristic rendering of a brain on top of a computing chip

Amazon deal of the day: Save $600 on the fancy Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
GE Profile ice maker, ASUS gaming monitor, and Roborock robot vacuum with orange, white, and red swirl background

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 24
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 25
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 25
a phone displaying Wordle

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 24
a phone displaying Wordle

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!