The field of candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is getting smaller—and the criteria to be recognized as a viable one is getting more strict, but they will gather once again Wednesday night for another nationally televised debate—with one big exception.
Frontrunner Donald Trump once again does not plan to show up to the debates. And, once again, he plans to hold a competing event to capture the attention of Republican voters. Trump has said several times that his lead in the national polls give him sufficient reason to skip the debates.
He’ll have one more chance to face his opponents (though that seems unlikely). The RNC has scheduled a fourth debate for next month, over Trump’s objections.
Got questions about the debate? We've got answers.
When is the third Republican primary debate?
The debate will be held Wednesday Nov. 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Who is hosting the third Republican debate?
NBC is hosting this time and will simulcast it on NBC News NOW and NBCNews.com.
How long will the third Republican debate last?
The debate is scheduled to last two hours.
Can I watch the Republican debate for free if I don't have cable?
Yes—and it should be fairly easy. While the first two debates were cable exclusives, NBC will air it on broadcast television. To watch, you’ll need a HD antenna.
How can I stream the Republican debate online if I don't have a cable subscription?
If you don't have an antenna, NBC will stream the debate on NBC News NOW and NBCNews.com, as well as the Peacock streaming service. The RNC will also livestream the debate on Rumble, a video-sharing service that’s popular with conservatives.
Additionally, there are a number of online streaming options to choose from. These include:
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service is the streaming flagship for this debate. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $6 or $12 monthly charge.
Disney+
Disney's bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $15 per month for all three combined (or $25 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Including Live TV in the bundle, which you’ll need to see the debate, bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service is no longer offered, as well. It will now cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After up to a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network's Sling lower-tiered "Orange" plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive "Blue" plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but the cord-cutting service is offering 50% off of the first month’s bill.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $75 per month and up after the free trial option.
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There's a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $75 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Which candidates will be on stage?
Five candidates met the tighter qualifications for this debate:
- Former Gov. Chris Christie (New Jersey)
- Ron DeSantis (Florida)
- Former Gov. Nikki Haley (South Carolina)
- Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur
- Senator Tim Scott (South Carolina)
Which candidates won't be at the Republican primary debates?
Former vice president Mike Pence has dropped out of the race, as have Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and former Texas Congressman Will Hurt. Meanwhile the following candidates were ruled ineligible for the debate.
- Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson
- North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
What will Donald Trump be doing?
The former president qualified for the debates, but has once again said he’s not going. Instead, he is expected to hold a rally a stone’s throw from the debate site in Hialeah, Fla. starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Who is moderating the Republican debate?
Lester Holt and Kristen Welker of NBC News along with conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" will moderate.
When is the next Republican debate?
The RNC has announced a fourth debate will be held in Tuscaloosa, Al. on Dec. 6. A network host for that debate has not yet been announced.
