The PBS debate is the second to last on the docket for the Democrats. | Getty PBS finalizes details for Feb. 11 Democratic debate

PBS has formalized the plans for its previously announced Democratic debate in Milwaukee, which will be the Democratic candidates' first showdown following the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary and one of the last in a cycle that has generated blockbuster ratings for television networks like Fox News, CNN and CNBC.

The public broadcaster said Monday that its flagship news-magazine, "PBS NewsHour," will host the February 11 debate at 9 p.m. on the main campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Moderated by "NewsHour" co-anchors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff, the debate is set to air on PBS stations nationwide such as Milwaukee Public Television. There also will be a livestream on the web.


February 11 is a Thursday, which will presumably insulate the Democratic National Committee from criticism that a number of its sanctioned debates were on Saturday nights when fewer Americans are glued to their television sets. The first Democratic debate in October pulled in 15.3 million viewers on a Tuesday, compared to the following month's Saturday-night debate hosted by CBS, which was watched by 8.5 million.

The PBS debate is the second to last on the docket for the Democrats, which will bring the curtain down with a March 9 event in Miami produced by Univision and The Washington Post.

