Tuning into public affairs - now and later

Today, Gawker notes the diminishing viewership for many of the fall premieres, and wonders whether people are (gasp) watching the news instead. And just now, Nielsen offered some evidence that the theory might be true: Nearly 53 million people watched President Bush's address about the economic crisis on Wednesday. Granted, it was only 15 minutes long, but those numbers still put "American Idol" to shame.

Tonight, of course, is the on-again-off-again-on-again presidential debate, broadcast live from Oxford, Mississippi beginning at 9. Americans might be interested in this one, as well. And Comcast announced today that, in conjunction with WGBH, it will help its digital cable subscribers tune in without ruining their Friday night dinner plans. Tonight's debate will appear free on demand tomorrow morning, and stay up until election day. Same goes for the other two presidential debates, and next week's vice presidential debate. The hard part is remembering where to find it: under "Get Local," then "Local Networks," then "WGBH," then "Vote '08." Got it?