CNN faced backlash for its first primary debate of the 2020 campaign season, with members of the media comparing its production to a sporting event or movie trailer and others lamenting the time spent to kick off the event.

Journalists noted that the event started on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. with an introduction video, a commercial break and opening statements. The first question to one of the ten candidates was not asked until 8:23 p.m., however.

Debate going the full CNN: action-movie trailer, election-night bass 'n drums ... now a color guard, national anthem, and don't forget opening statements. — Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) July 30, 2019

Problem: Too many candidates, not enough time.



CNN Solution: Burn 10 minutes over-produced pageantry, immediately take a commercial break, kill another 12 minutes with needless opening statements, ask first actual question @ 8:23pm.



Other than that off to a great start. — Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) July 30, 2019

Well obviously the thing that should get canned for the next debate is that ridiculous intro video for America’s Ninja Warriors. — Richard Wolffe (@richardwolffedc) July 30, 2019

CNN isn't using our time well in this Democratic debate. Eleven minutes have passed, and no candidate has said anything except, "Nice to meet you." #DemDebate — Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) July 30, 2019

Here's a wild idea: If @CNN eliminated the wasted 25 min at the top of the show, the candidates could finish speaking and give us complete answers. #DemocraticDebate — JackiSchechner (@JackiSchechner) July 30, 2019

Other journalists said the debate format did not allow enough time for detailed explanations regarding complicated policy issues, while others noted a lack of questions about foreign policy or veterans affairs.

Why are these response windows so small? Let the people talk. — Ben White (@morningmoneyben) July 30, 2019

I simply cannot watch. Why? Not because they're Democrats but because our SYSTEM ruins the best. This process is a disgrace and a disservice to all serious people. Shame on everyone. — kathleenparker (@kathleenparker) July 30, 2019

12. The problem is not the moderators, it’s the format.



Did the DNC agree to this format? — Yashar Ali (@yashar) July 30, 2019

Hey maybe one question about foreign policy, the wars we're fighting, helping veterans? #CNNDebate — Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) July 30, 2019

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The debate on Tuesday night was the first of two events with a total of 20 Democrats facing off at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Moderators for both events are Jake Tapper Jacob (Jake) Paul TapperThe media's misleading use of COVID-19 data Julia Louis-Dreyfus: 'We can't spend much time grieving' Ginsburg Pence aide dismisses concerns rushed vote on Trump nominee will hurt vulnerable senators MORE, Dana Bash Dana BashTrump says officials will investigate whether California is using 1619 Project in classrooms Veterans Affairs secretary defends Trump: 'I judge a man by his actions' GOP senator dismisses national intelligence director election security briefings: 'This is blown way out of proportion' MORE and Don Lemon Don Carlton LemonCNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context CNN's Lemon: 'We're going to have to blow up the entire system' if Democrats win back White House, Senate Scaramucci to Lemon: Trump 'doubling down' on downplaying virus 'should scare' viewers MORE.

Tapper and Bash's performance drew unusual praise from Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Both @jaketapper and @DanaBashCNN are doing a solid job — Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) July 30, 2019

The first Democratic debate on June 26 from Miami was watched by a total of 15.3 million viewers on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo, matching the number of viewers who tuned into the first Democratic debate of the 2015-2016 primary season on CNN in October 2015.

Tuesday night's debate on CNN, which included some candidates who are in the top tier based on polling, notably Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.), but not front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE or Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.), is expected to draw a smaller audience than the first debate last month, primarily due to competition from the broadcast networks. Biden and Harris will likely be the focus on Wednesday night in Detroit.

ABC's "The Bachelorette" aired its finale on Tuesday night, while NBC's offered up a new episode of "America's Got Talent," which has rated well over the years since launching in 2006.

The most-watched primary debate in history occurred in August 2015, when more than 24 million people tuned in to Fox News for the event featuring Donald Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE's first debate as a candidate in Cleveland.

--This report was updated at 2:23 p.m.

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