Vance-Walz debate draws 43 million viewers

The vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) drew 43 million viewers, according to Nielsen figures.

Viewers tuned in across 15 different networks for the Tuesday face-off, which lasted just shy of two hours. Over 30 million households tuned in, with over 9 million viewers between the ages of 35 and 54 and more than 3 million between the ages of 18 and 34.

The age group with the largest viewership was those over the age of 55, which accounted for 29 million viewers.

The debate -- hosted by CBS in New York and moderated by anchors Margaret Brennan and Norah O’Donnell -- was the first and only one between the vice presidential candidates ahead of the November election.

Vance and Walz engaged in the policy-focused debate Tuesday night, civilly sparring on immigration, abortion and the economy, among other things. Despite several disagreements, the two candidates also sometimes agreed on some issues.

According to a CBS poll, 42 percent of debate watchers say Vance, a Yale-trained lawyer, won. That narrowly outpaced Walz, who 41 percent of viewers said was victorious. About 17 percent said it was a tie.