The 2024 US presidential election was a monumental event, and its impact was felt across the digital landscape, specifically in record-breaking livestream viewership. According to Streams Charts, the election generated nearly 84 million hours of watch time across various platforms, a staggering increase compared to the September debates, which garnered just 17 million hours of watch time. This surge in online engagement reflects the growing importance of digital platforms as sources of election news and analysis.
YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc., emerged as the undisputed leader in election coverage, capturing over 80% of the total watch time. Rumble Inc., a rising platform known for its alternative perspective, came in second, claiming 13.1% of the viewership. This significant share demonstrates Rumble’s growing influence and its ability to attract a dedicated audience seeking alternative perspectives on the election.
The peak viewership for political streams on election day reached a staggering 9.14 million viewers, with an average viewership of approximately 3.5 million. This massive audience engagement, especially towards the end of voting and the announcement of results, showcases the intense public interest and the desire for real-time updates.
Fox News, owned by Fox Corp., dominated the most-watched broadcast on YouTube, peaking at over 1.14 million viewers, setting a new record for the channel. This impressive performance reflects the channel’s strong brand recognition and its ability to attract a loyal viewership. NBC News, a subsidiary of Comcast Corp., came in second with nearly 616,900 peak viewers, further highlighting the popularity of traditional news outlets on online platforms.
The trend of using YouTube for election coverage underlines the platform’s dominance as the go-to streaming destination for TV networks. Meanwhile, individual streamers also saw significant gains. Dan Bongino and Steven Crowder, both popular figures on Rumble, drew substantial audiences, setting new personal viewership records. HasanAbi, a prominent streamer on Twitch, owned by Amazon.com Inc., witnessed a historic peak of around 313,400 concurrent viewers during his Election Day coverage.
Throughout the election campaign, Donald Trump consistently outpaced Kamala Harris in mentions on Twitch, holding around a 70% share compared to Harris’ 30%. This trend continued on election day, with Trump’s mentions jumping to 104,000 versus Harris’ 41,600. This data highlights the ongoing focus on Trump within the Twitch community and his continued influence on the platform.
The 2024 US presidential election showcased the growing power of livestream platforms in shaping political discourse. The record-breaking viewership numbers, the rise of alternative platforms like Rumble, and the strong performance of individual streamers underline the evolving landscape of news consumption and the increasing importance of online platforms in shaping public opinion.
