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State of the Union

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State of the Union

In the United States, the State of the Union Address (sometimes abbreviated to SOTU) is an annual message delivered by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress near the beginning of most calendar years on the current condition of the nation. The speech generally includes reports on the nation's budget, economy, news, agenda, progress, achievements and the president's priorities and legislative proposals. The address fulfills the requirement in Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution for the president to periodically "give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient". During most of the country's first century, the president primarily submitted only a written report to Congress. After 1913, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. president, began the regular practice of delivering the address to Congress in person as a way to rally support for the president's agenda, while also submitting a more detailed report. With the advent of radio and television, the address is now broadcast live in all United States time zones on many networks. The speech is generally held in January or February, and an invitation to the president is extended to use the chamber of the House by the speaker of the House. Starting in 1981, Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president, began the practice of newly inaugurated presidents delivering an address to Congress in the first year of their term but not designating that speech an official "State of the Union".

Tables

Television ratings for recent State of the Union addresses[65][66] · TV ratings
2025-03-04
2025-03-04
Date
2025-03-04
President
Donald Trump
Viewers, millions
TBA
Households, millions
TBA
Rating
TBA
Networks
TBA
2024-03-07
2024-03-07
Date
2024-03-07
President
Joe Biden
Viewers, millions
32.30
Households, millions
TBA
Rating
TBA
Networks
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation
2023-02-07
2023-02-07
Date
2023-02-07
President
27.30
Viewers, millions
20.00
Households, millions
16.1
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, NBCLX, NewsMax, NewsNation
2022-03-01
2022-03-01
Date
2022-03-01
President
38.20
Viewers, millions
27.41
Households, millions
22.4
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, Black News Channel, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MNBC, NBCLX, Newsmax, NewsNation
2021-04-28
2021-04-28
Date
2021-04-28
President
26.90
Viewers, millions
19.95
Households, millions
16.5
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation, Newsy
2020-02-04
2020-02-04
Date
2020-02-04
President
Donald Trump
Viewers, millions
37.17
Households, millions
27.46
Rating
22.7
Networks
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2019-02-05
2019-02-05
Date
2019-02-05
President
46.79
Viewers, millions
33.62
Households, millions
28.0
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2018-01-30
2018-01-30
Date
2018-01-30
President
45.55
Viewers, millions
32.17
Households, millions
26.9
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, Estrella, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2017-02-28
2017-02-28
Date
2017-02-28
President
33.85
Households, millions
28.7
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, Estrella, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2016-01-12
2016-01-12
Date
2016-01-12
President
Barack Obama
Viewers, millions
31.33
Households, millions
23.04
Rating
19.6
Networks
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, Al Jazeera America, Azteca America, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, NBC Universo
2015-01-20
2015-01-20
Date
2015-01-20
President
31.71
Viewers, millions
23.14
Households, millions
19.9
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, Al Jazeera America, Azteca America, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MundoFox
2014-01-28
2014-01-28
Date
2014-01-28
President
33.30
Viewers, millions
23.95
Households, millions
20.7
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, Al Jazeera America, Azteca America, CNBC, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MUN2
2013-02-12
2013-02-12
Date
2013-02-12
President
33.50
Viewers, millions
24.77
Households, millions
21.8
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, PBS, Azteca America, Centric, CNBC, CNN, Current, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MundoFox
2012-01-24
2012-01-24
Date
2012-01-24
President
37.75
Viewers, millions
27.57
Households, millions
24.0
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNBC, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MUN2, Telefutura
2011-01-25
2011-01-25
Date
2011-01-25
President
42.79
Viewers, millions
30.87
Households, millions
26.6
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Centric, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2010-01-27
2010-01-27
Date
2010-01-27
President
48.01
Viewers, millions
34.18
Households, millions
29.8
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, BET, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2009-02-24
2009-02-24
Date
2009-02-24
President
52.37
Viewers, millions
37.18
Households, millions
32.5
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2008-01-28
2008-01-28
Date
2008-01-28
President
George W. Bush
Viewers, millions
37.52
Households, millions
27.70
Rating
24.7
Networks
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2007-01-24
2007-01-24
Date
2007-01-24
President
45.49
Viewers, millions
32.97
Households, millions
29.6
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2006-01-31
2006-01-31
Date
2006-01-31
President
43.18
Viewers, millions
30.53
Households, millions
31.2
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Azteca America, Telefutura
2005-02-02
2005-02-02
Date
2005-02-02
President
39.43
Viewers, millions
28.36
Households, millions
35.3
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Telefutura
2004-01-20
2004-01-20
Date
2004-01-20
President
43.41
Viewers, millions
30.29
Households, millions
28.0
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2003-01-28
2003-01-28
Date
2003-01-28
President
62.06
Viewers, millions
41.48
Households, millions
38.8
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2002-01-29
2002-01-29
Date
2002-01-29
President
51.77
Viewers, millions
35.55
Households, millions
33.6
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2001-02-27
2001-02-27
Date
2001-02-27
President
39.79
Viewers, millions
TBA
Households, millions
27.6
Rating
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC
2000-01-27
2000-01-27
Date
2000-01-27
President
Bill Clinton
Viewers, millions
31.48
Households, millions
22.54
Rating
22.4
Networks
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
1999-01-19
1999-01-19
Date
1999-01-19
President
43.50
Viewers, millions
30.70
Households, millions
31.0
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
1998-01-27
1998-01-27
Date
1998-01-27
President
53.08
Viewers, millions
36.51
Households, millions
37.2
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC
1997-02-04
1997-02-04
Date
1997-02-04
President
41.10
Viewers, millions
27.60
Households, millions
28.4
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN
1996-01-23
1996-01-23
Date
1996-01-23
President
40.90
Viewers, millions
28.40
Households, millions
29.6
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN
1995-01-24
1995-01-24
Date
1995-01-24
President
42.20
Viewers, millions
28.10
Households, millions
29.5
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN
1994-01-25
1994-01-25
Date
1994-01-25
President
45.80
Viewers, millions
31.00
Households, millions
32.9
Rating
ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN
Date
President
Viewers, millions
Households, millions
Rating
Networks
2025-03-04
Donald Trump
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
2024-03-07
Joe Biden
32.30
TBA
TBA
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation
2023-02-07
27.30
20.00
16.1
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, NBCLX, NewsMax, NewsNation
2022-03-01
38.20
27.41
22.4
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, Black News Channel, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MNBC, NBCLX, Newsmax, NewsNation
2021-04-28
26.90
19.95
16.5
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation, Newsy
2020-02-04
Donald Trump
37.17
27.46
22.7
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2019-02-05
46.79
33.62
28.0
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2018-01-30
45.55
32.17
26.9
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, Estrella, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2017-02-28
33.85
28.7
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, Estrella, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2016-01-12
Barack Obama
31.33
23.04
19.6
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, Al Jazeera America, Azteca America, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, NBC Universo
2015-01-20
31.71
23.14
19.9
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, Al Jazeera America, Azteca America, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MundoFox
2014-01-28
33.30
23.95
20.7
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, Al Jazeera America, Azteca America, CNBC, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MUN2
2013-02-12
33.50
24.77
21.8
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, PBS, Azteca America, Centric, CNBC, CNN, Current, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MundoFox
2012-01-24
37.75
27.57
24.0
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNBC, CNN, FOX Business, Fox News Channel, Galavision, MSNBC, MUN2, Telefutura
2011-01-25
42.79
30.87
26.6
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Centric, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2010-01-27
48.01
34.18
29.8
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, BET, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2009-02-24
52.37
37.18
32.5
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2008-01-28
George W. Bush
37.52
27.70
24.7
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2007-01-24
45.49
32.97
29.6
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2006-01-31
43.18
30.53
31.2
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Azteca America, Telefutura
2005-02-02
39.43
28.36
35.3
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Telefutura
2004-01-20
43.41
30.29
28.0
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2003-01-28
62.06
41.48
38.8
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2002-01-29
51.77
35.55
33.6
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
2001-02-27
39.79
TBA
27.6
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC
2000-01-27
Bill Clinton
31.48
22.54
22.4
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
1999-01-19
43.50
30.70
31.0
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC
1998-01-27
53.08
36.51
37.2
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC
1997-02-04
41.10
27.60
28.4
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN
1996-01-23
40.90
28.40
29.6
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN
1995-01-24
42.20
28.10
29.5
ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN
1994-01-25
45.80
31.00
32.9
ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN

References

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    https://www.statista.com/statistics/252425/state-of-the-union-address-viewer-numbers/
  66. Nielsen
    https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2024/2024-state-of-the-union-address-draws-over-32-million-viewers/
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