A debate show is a

television show A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming platf ...

genre based around a

debate Debate is a process that involves formal discourse, discussion, and oral addresses on a particular topic or collection of topics, often with a moderator and an audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for opposing viewpoints. Historica ...

. Usually it is hosted by a moderator.

Examples

In the United States, ''

Crossfire A crossfire (also known as interlocking fire) is a military term for the siting of weapons (often automatic weapons such as assault rifles or sub-machine guns) so that their arcs of fire overlap. This tactic came to prominence in World War I. ...

'' was a current events debate television program that aired from 1982 to 2005 on CNN. '' Crossballs: The Debate Show'' on

Comedy Central Comedy Central is an American Cable television in the United States, cable television channel, channel owned by Paramount Global through its Paramount Media Networks, network division's Paramount Media Networks#MTV Entertainment Group, MTV Ente ...

parodied ''Crossfire'' and other shows of its ilk. ''

The Debaters ''The Debaters'' is a Canadian radio comedy show currently hosted by Steve Patterson. It airs on CBC Radio One, Saturdays at 3:00PM (PDT) and Wednesdays at 11:30AM, Eastern Time. During each episode, two debates take place between two sets of ...

'' is a Canadian radio comedy show in which two debaters (usually stand up

comedians A comedian (feminine comedienne) or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolishly (as in slapstick), or employing prop comedy. A comedian who ...

) debate topics, which are deliberately comedic (such as "backseat drivers are helpful", "gravity is our friend" and "cats are smarter than dogs". The winner is chosen by audience applause at the end of the debate.

Sports Sport is a physical activity or game, often competitive and organized, that maintains or improves physical ability and skills. Sport may provide enjoyment to participants and entertainment to spectators. The number of participants in ...

-oriented channels in the United States—particularly

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

and

Fox Sports 1 Fox Sports 1 (branded on-air as FS1) is an American pay television television channel, channel owned by the Fox Sports (United States), Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. FS1 airs an array of live sporting events, including Majo ...

—have been known for carrying debate shows during the daytime hours, often featuring sportswriters and other sports personalities. ESPN had several notable debate programs; in 2004, the network premiered '' Around the Horn'', which uses a

panel game show A panel show or panel game is a radio or television game show in which a panel of celebrities participate. Celebrity panelists may compete with each other, such as on ''The News Quiz''; facilitate play by non-celebrity contestants, such as on '' ...

-like format where multiple panelists from across the country discuss sports-related topics in various rounds, with the host awarding points to the panelists based upon the strengths of their arguments. In 2011, under executive Jamie Horowitz, ESPN's morning show '' First Take'' was retooled into a debate-driven program—a move that led to a major increase in viewership. In 2015, Horowitz departed to Fox Sports 1, where he would install similar formats in its daytime programming.

References

{{Tv-stub Television genres