Presidential primary debate season is approaching, and the networks of NBC News are getting first crack at interrogating the Democratic Party candidates who are vying for the party nomination and the opportunity to take on President Trump in the 2020 presidential election. (TVNewser)
The first debate will air on NBC, MSNBC, and Telemundo on dates soon to be announced. That’s right—dates, plural. The first debate will air on back-to-back nights in prime time. The field will be capped at 20, with no more than 10 candidates on the stage for each session. (Mediaite)
The first debate will be held in June, and CNN has been selected to host the second debate in July. Back on Dec. 20, the DNC announced plans for a slate of 12 debates, starting in June and July. After a break in August, one debate will be held per month for the rest of the year. (THR)
Candidates will qualify for the debates based on polling and performance in grassroots fundraising. Each night’s slate of contenders will be picked at random. The locations, venues, moderators, and other details are still to be announced. (Variety)