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How to watch the GOP debate online without cable

How to watch the GOP debate online without cable

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Your phone's battery may die before this debate is over

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Unlike last month's Fox News Republican primary debate, the first of the 2016 presidential campaign, tonight's three-hour marathon on CNN won't require a cable subscription. It'll kick off at 8PM ET, and the news network says you'll find it front and center at CNN.com. The debate will also be available through CNN's various smartphone, tablet, and set-top box apps.

Watching live CNN broadcasts usually requires providing your cable credentials, but CNN is letting anyone in the United States tune into the fiery (and very long) discussion for free. The GOP's leading candidate has voiced displeasure with the length of CNN's debate this evening.

Fox News enjoyed record-shattering ratings during last month's debate, and CNN is similarly hoping that tonight's event could be its highest-rated broadcast ever. The full roster of participants in tonight's debate is as follows:

  • Donald Trump
  • Jeb Bush
  • Carly Fiorina
  • Marco Rubio
  • Rand Paul
  • Ben Carson
  • Ted Cruz
  • John Kasich
  • Chris Christie
  • Scott Walker
  • Mike Huckabee

When: The primetime debate begins at 8:00PM ET

How to watch: Viewers in the United States can stream the debate live at CNN.com or through any of the network's mobile apps. No cable authentication will be required. Note that if you're watching through CNNgo, there have been reports that users are asked to provide cable logins after five minutes. Stick to CNN.com and you should be fine.