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How to Watch the Vance vs. Walz Vice Presidential Debate Without Cable

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Republican Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Tim Walz, the Democratic Governor of Minnesota, are gearing up to meet for Tuesday’s first and only vice-presidential debate. The event will occur in New York City at the CBS Broadcast Center and be hosted by CBS News. 

CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell will moderate alongside chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan, the current moderator of Face the Nation.

The debate between the vice presidential hopefuls comes three weeks after the Harris-Trump debate drew 67 million viewers. The event will last 90 minutes and feature two commercial breaks. Like September’s presidential debate, the face-off between Vance and Walz will feature no in-studio audience. The two will not give opening statements but will be granted two minutes for closing statements. 

According to CBS News, each candidate will get two minutes to answer each question, and their opponent will have two minutes to respond. An additional one-minute rebuttal will be allowed for both men, with a potential added minute given at the moderators’ will for further insight. CBS News may mute microphones at any time during the debate.

Vance and Walz will not get the questions or topics ahead of time. Props or pre-written notes will not be permitted — the candidates will be allowed a pen, pad of paper and a water bottle.

CBS is airing the event, and viewers can watch it on the network as well as on Paramount Plus. But keep reading to find out how to watch the event for free and where else to stream online.

Read more: Paramount Plus Review: Nostalgia-Rich Streaming Service That Can’t Beat Netflix

How to watch the vice presidential debate for free

Vance and Walz will meet on the debate stage for their first and only vice presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). The 90-minute event will be broadcast live on the CBS News Live website and YouTube channel for free.

Free streaming services such as Pluto TV carry multiple news networks on the roster, including CBS News 24/7, ABC News Live and NBC News Now; Tubi carries local news stations and national news networks as part of its live channels lineup, including the likes of ABC News Live, NBC News Now and LiveNow from Fox.

Viewers can also watch the event for free at the following live feeds: 

Some networks will also stream live via their social media accounts, on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and X. 

Stream the vice presidential debate with a paid subscription

For those audiences interested in watching the debate elsewhere, it’ll air live on CBS, and viewers can stream the debate live on Paramount Plus. 

James Martin/CNET

Paramount Plus

Carries the vice presidential debate

If you’re unsure about getting Paramount Plus, now is a good time to test drive the streamer. 

There are two tiers to choose from: Paramount Plus Essential and Paramount Plus with Showtime. The Essential plan costs $8 a month and includes limited commercial breaks. Paramount Plus with Showtime costs $13 a month and will play ads on select “live TV and a few shows.” It’s worth noting the inclusion of Showtime in that plan. You’ll also get access to your local CBS station and enjoy a feature that allows you to download movies and shows. 

Check out our Paramount Plus review for more.

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