The highly anticipated Vice Presidential debate between Republican nominee Sen. JD Vance and Democratic nominee Gov. Tim Walz took place on Tuesday, Oct. 1st, offering voters a crucial opportunity to see the candidates clash on key issues just weeks before Election Day. Hosted by CBS News, this debate was the only scheduled face-off between Vance and Walz, making it a must-watch event for anyone following the 2024 election. If you’re looking for how to watch or catch up on this pivotal political event, here’s your guide.
Watching the VP Debate Live on Cable TV
For those with traditional cable access, CBS was the official broadcast network for the Vice Presidential debate. The live television broadcast commenced at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, October 1st. However, CBS stations began their coverage an hour earlier, at 8:00 PM ET, providing viewers with pre-debate analysis and context leading up to the main event. To find your local CBS affiliate and ensure you didn’t miss the coverage, you can use the CBS station finder to locate the channel in your area.
Streaming the VP Debate Online: Your Digital Viewing Guide
In today’s digital age, streaming offers a convenient way to watch live events, and the VP debate was no exception. CBS News provided multiple platforms for viewers to stream the debate live:
CBS News App
The free CBS News app is a dedicated platform for accessing CBS News content, including live events like the VP debate. This app is available on a wide range of connected TV devices and smartphones, ensuring you can watch the debate whether you’re at home or on the go.
Paramount+
Paramount+, the streaming service from Paramount, also carried the live broadcast of the Vice Presidential debate. Subscribers to Paramount+ could stream the debate in addition to accessing a vast library of on-demand content.
CBSNews.com and YouTube
For free online streaming, CBS News made the debate available on CBSNews.com and their official YouTube channel. This ensured that anyone with internet access could watch the debate live, regardless of cable subscriptions or app downloads. CBS News 24/7, available on various platforms, also streamed the debate.
Catching the VP Debate Replay
If you missed the live broadcast or wanted to re-watch key moments, CBS News offered several options to view a replay of the full Vice Presidential debate.
CBS News YouTube Channel
The most readily accessible replay option is the CBS News YouTube page. CBS News uploaded the complete debate to their YouTube channel, allowing viewers to watch it on demand at any time.
CBSNews.com and On-Demand Video
Beyond YouTube, the full debate replay was also available on CBSNews.com and in the video player embedded at the top of the original CBS News article. These options provided further flexibility for viewers to catch up on the debate.
Location and Format of the VP Debate
The 90-minute Vice Presidential debate was held at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan, the debate followed a format similar to the presidential debate, with no live audience and specific rules governing candidate remarks. Notably, unlike typical debates, there were no opening statements, but each candidate was allotted two minutes for closing remarks. This focused format ensured a direct confrontation on policy and vision between the two vice presidential contenders.
In conclusion, whether you prefer traditional television, streaming apps, or online platforms, CBS News provided multiple avenues to watch the Vice Presidential debate live and to access the replay. This debate offered a critical insight into the policies and perspectives of JD Vance and Tim Walz, key figures in the 2024 election.
