Nearly the same number of viewers tuned in for Republican President Donald Trump’s swearing in ceremony Monday as watched when then-President Joe Biden tell the nation he had given up his bid for reelection.
Viewership was estimated at 24.6 million, according to Nielsen audience shares. The data research company, long recognized for work in television audiences, said the peak was 34.4 million viewers in the 12:15 p.m. quarter-hour.
Trump’s oath began just a minute or so after noon.
The viewership numbers are without those that watched on a streaming service or social media, an increasing medium used by Americans of all ages. Day-long network coverage is another factor in the ratings, as would be day of the week and holidays.
Biden, a Democrat, quit the race against Trump 107 days before Election Day. That Sunday evening, July 21, delivery drew more than 26 million viewers.
Monday’s numbers come from 15 networks with coverage, most going 10:30 a.m. Eastern to 7 p.m.
The 24.6 million is less than the 33.8 million watching Biden be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021, and the 31 million who watched Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017. Trump’s ceremonies were on a Friday and the Martin Luther King holiday Monday; Biden was on a Wednesday.
Fox News drew 10.3 million for the 90 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., up from 2.4 million four years ago. Conversely, CNN and MSNBC dropped to 2.5 million from 13.4 million in 2021.
By age bracket on Monday, Nielsen said more than 17.3 million were 55 and older; 4.6 million were 35-54; and 1.4 million were 18-34.
The most-watched inauguration, according to Nielsen, was Jan. 20, 1981, when Republican Ronald Reagan was sworn into office with 41.8 million tuning in. The record low is 15.5 million for Republican George W. Bush’s second term on Jan. 20, 2005.
By comparison of other major events by Biden and Trump of the last year:
• An estimated 20 million watched Biden’s farewell on Jan. 15.
• An estimated 32 million watched Biden’s State of the Union on March 7.
• An estimated 51.3 million watched Biden debate Trump on June 27.
• An estimated 67.1 million watched then-Vice President Kamala Harris debate Trump on Sept. 10.
