How to Watch the Vice Presidential Debate: Best Ways to Stream Live Without Cable

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

With just over a month until Election Day, vice presidential candidates Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz will debate for the first time airing live on Tuesday (Oct. 1).

The debate will take place at CBS News studios in New York City.

Read on for details on where and when to watch, and stream from anywhere.

Vice Presidential Debate: Time, Where to Stream Without Cable

What time does the debate start? CBS will broadcast and stream live coverage of the vice presidential debate beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Debate coverage starts at 4 p.m. ET on CBS.

Additionally, the debate will stream live on Paramount+ and simulcast on ABC, NBC, Fox, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, BBC News and C-SPAN, which you can access on DIRECTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and ExpressVPN to stream internationally.

DIRECTV Stream lets you stream ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox in addition to cable networks. Live TV streaming plans start at $80.  

Fubo and Hulu + Live TV offer live, local channels along with several cable channels. And you can join either platform for free, however Fubo offers a free trial for a week and Hulu + Live TV’s free trial lasts for three days. Both streamers offer plans under $80 per month.

Join Sling TV and watch cable channels and local networks such as CBS and ABC in select regions. Sling’s streaming plans start at $20 for the first month.   

Even though Amazon offers same-day delivery on select items, you might not have enough time to purchase a digital antenna, but it’s a decent option for streaming live channels without subscribing to a streamer. The vice presidential debate will also stream live on Prime Video’s Freevee channel.

To watch CBS on Paramount+, you’ll need to subscribe to the Paramount+ with Showtime. Plans start at $7.99 for the basic package and $12.99 for Paramount+ with Showtime, CBS and more. Start your free trail here.

Debate Rules & Moderator Details

CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell, will moderate the debate alongside Face the Nation moderator and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.

According to CBS News, each candidate will have two minutes to answer each question and one minute for rebuttal. Mics will not be muted while the other candidate speaks, but moderators can mute the candidates if needed.

The debate will include four commercial breaks.