Fox Business to Air Republican Debates

Fox Business Network and the Wall Street Journal will present Republican presidential primary debates on Nov. 10, the network said Tuesday (Oct. 27).

The primetime debate, which will feature the top Republican candidates that generate a 2.5% average across the four most recent national polls, will be moderated by Fox Business managing editor of business news Neil Cavuto, global markets editor Maria Bartiromo and Wall Street Journal editor in chief Gerard Baker.

The remaining candidates scoring below a 2.5% average in the polls will appear onstage during a 6 p.m. debate, the network said.

Both debates will focus on jobs, taxes and the general health of the economy, as well as domestic and international policy issues.

The Republican debates have been ratings gold for cable networks. Fox News Channel's Aug. 6 GOP debate generated a record 24 million viewers, while CNN’s Sept. 16 debate telecast drew 23 million viewers.

CNBC Wednesday will televise the third GOP debate, which will be held in Colorado.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.