“For all of the cable news chatter, Twitter skirmishes and presidentially bestowed nicknames, this week’s prime-time Democratic debates mark the entry point for millions of Americans who are just now tuning into a contest that will dominate news coverage for the next 16 months,” the New York Times reports.
“It’s also the starting gun for a media frenzy that is poised to outstrip even the coverage of the raucous 2016 campaign. NBC is pre-empting four hours of lucrative weeknight programming for a two-night showcase that could draw 20 million viewers, by far the biggest platform of the primary season so far.”
The Venn: A debate night cheat sheet.
