This is the first debate in decades that will not be distributed by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The Commission historically provided NPR with the feed for their three Presidential debates and one Vice Presidential debate at no cost. The Biden Campaign announced earlier this year that they would not participate in the scheduled Commission debates. CNN then secured rights to carry the June 27 debate.
Where can I hear it?
The event starts at 8 p.m. central on Thursday and will run for 90 minutes. It will be moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash and take place at the network’s studios in Atlanta.
NPR will make the Thursday, June 27 CNN Presidential Debate available to stations.
NPR statement:
We believe Presidential debates are a matter of public interest and should be made freely available to all Americans as part of the election process in a healthy democracy. Public radio stations play an important role in the delivery of that audience service.
While NPR is strongly opposed to the commercialization of Presidential debates, we recognize that it is public radio’s collective mission to inform the public and we are committed to doing so.
Millions of people who depend on NPR for their news will be able to hear Thursday’s debate live on their local stations. NPR will also offer robust coverage and analysis of the debate after it airs, across our broadcast programs, newscasts, and digital platforms.
You can also follow NPR’s live blog for updates during the debate at NPR.org. Analysis will continue throughout NPR newscasts and NPR programs including Morning Edition, 1A, Here and Now, and All Things Considered.