Events

⦿  When is the debate and how can I watch it live?

The debate, hosted by NonStop Local, is scheduled to take place from 2-3 p.m. MDT on Wednesday, October 16. It will be live-streamed on nonstoplocal.com and broadcast live statewide on SWX, a subchannel affiliated with NonStop Local.

⦿ How can I watch the debate it if I’m unable to catch it live?

Our campaign has worked out an agreement to allow MontanaPBS, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio to rebroadcast the debate in its entirety the following day, Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m. MDT. NonStop Local affiliates will rebroadcast the full debate at 8 a.m. MDT on Sunday, October 20.

⦿ What is NonStop Local?

NonStop Local is a regional TV news network that operates the ABC/Fox affiliates in Bozeman/Butte (KYWB-TV), Missoula/Kalispell (KTMF-TV) and Helena/Great Falls (KFBB-TV), as well as the NBC affiliate in Billings (KULR-TV). NonStop Local also operates SWX, a broadcast subchannel that usually airs continuous weather, news and sports programming. In the Billings media market, for example, KULR’s broadcast signal is 8.1 and SWX is just next door at subchannel 8.2. SWX is also carried by Spectrum cable.

⦿  Can I watch the debate in person?

Unfortunately, no. This debate will take place in a tiny TV studio in Missoula that has no room for a live audience—much like the recent presidential and vice presidential debates.

⦿  Who are the moderators and what’s the format?

The debate will be moderated by veteran Montana political reporter Mike Dennison and NonStop Local anchors Bradley Warren and Ben Wineman. Format: Candidate A will get 90 seconds to respond to a question; Candidate B then gets 60 seconds to respond; Candidate A gets 30 seconds to rebut Candidate B and, at the moderators’ discretion, Candidate B gets 30 seconds to rebut Candidate A’s rebuttal.

⦿  Will this be the only debate between Ryan and Gianforte?

Sadly, yes. Ryan has made it clear he’d like to debate Gianforte as many times as possible. Ryan immediately accepted two invitations from MontanaPBS and the Montana Television Network to participate in two traditional televised debates with Gianforte. Gianforte chickened out of both of those debates, resulting in their cancellation.

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