The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States saw a significant decline in television viewership compared to both his first inauguration in 2017 and Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. According to overnight figures, the event averaged 3.8 million viewers across BBC, ITV, Sky News, Channel 5, and BBC News, a sharp drop from Biden’s 7 million viewers four years earlier.
Trump’s second inauguration peaked at 5.3 million viewers, a substantial fall from Biden’s peak of 9.3 million in January 2021. For context, Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 drew a cumulative 7 million viewers (53% audience share), underscoring the steep decline in interest this time around.
BBC1 led the coverage, with its broadcast averaging 2 million viewers (22.3% share) and peaking at 2.9 million during the 3.30pm to 6pm slot. ITV1 followed, averaging 1.1 million viewers (11.5% share) and peaking at 1.5 million. Sky News attracted 293,000 viewers, while BBC News brought in 274,000. Channel 5’s coverage, running for an hour and a half, averaged just 131,000 viewers.
The decline in audience numbers suggests a broader shift in viewer interest. Factors such as political fatigue, polarising opinions on Trump, or the availability of alternative content may have contributed. In contrast, Biden’s inauguration likely benefited from heightened public engagement after a tumultuous election period and a historic transition.
The marked decline in Trump’s inauguration viewership reflects shifting audience priorities, with live political events competing against an increasingly diverse and on-demand content landscape. While traditional broadcast remains a key medium for significant events, the numbers suggest a need for networks to adapt their strategies to maintain engagement.
