On December 3, one of the most anticipated debates took place, featuring candidates supported by the PS and PSD.
“Broadcasted on RTP1, the face-off between António José Seguro and Luís Marques Mendes was the fourth most-watched program of the day on the channel and the 14th most-watched across Portuguese television yesterday [Wednesday],” stated Universal McCann (UM).
The debate “recorded a total audience of 1 million and 19 thousand viewers, corresponding to an average audience of 555 thousand viewers and a share of 12.4%,” noted UM, suggesting that “it did not reach higher figures partially due to its broadcast on RTP1, which likely influenced the ratings.”
Among the thirteen debates held, “this confrontation between the candidates supported by the PSD and PS ranked 10th.”
According to audience rankings, the debate between André Ventura and António José Seguro, the first broadcast on TVI, leads so far, having been viewed by an average audience of just over one million, followed by André Ventura versus Luís Marques Mendes (SIC). André Ventura vs. Catarina Martins (TVI) is in third place.
“The analysis of the ranking shows that debates broadcast on RTP1 tend to have lower audiences, with the four least-watched belonging to the channel,” UM stated.
Despite the debate’s broadcast, RTP1 ended “the day in third place among free-to-air channels, with a ‘share’ of 11.6%,” while SIC led the day with a 16.4% ‘share’, closely followed by TVI, which recorded 16.3%, according to Universal McCann.
“Comparing with the 2021 presidential debate between candidates supported by the PSD and PS, it is noted that it achieved a higher audience,” it pointed out.
The confrontation between Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Ana Gomes, broadcast by RTP1 on January 9, 2021, reached a total audience of 1 million and 519 thousand viewers, corresponding to an average audience of 1 million and a ‘share’ of 18.9%.
“Analyzing this week’s debates, the most-watched debate occurred on December 2. The debate between António Filipe and Gouveia e Melo, broadcast by TVI, directly reached the sixth position with a total audience of 1 million and 46 thousand viewers, corresponding to an average audience of 685 thousand viewers and a ‘share’ of 15.0%,” it added.
The elections are scheduled for January 18.
