It doesn't matter how many debates they had in 2012. What matters is what they are doing today, and I think the debates are selling ads and getting networks fat audience ratings, but doing little to enhance or forward the message of anyone or two or three or fifteen candidates! I think debates should be special, not a dime a dozen, like throw away candy wrappers! Just my opinion of course, but I think we have had our share of the debates, and let's hold them until we get the two candidates ready for the November election cycle!
If you've been paying attention--apparently not--you will notice that there is typically a debate held on a Thursday night prior to a primary/caucus that is held on the following Tuesday. The debate is held in a city of one of the states that is holding the primary. Thus, it IS necessary to have a decent number of debates.
Also, there needs to be several debates before the first primary is held in order to winnow down the number of candidates.
All of this is a silly discussion because your premise is flawed. The networks don't decide on the number or the location of the debates, the political parties decide. Thus, the GOP set the number of debates and the location.
We understand that your candidate, Donald Trump, cannot hold a debate candle to any real debater. The man cannot answer a question directly, especially a question involving the word "how" or one that might contain numbers in it. He just regurgitates his talking points and his answer to "how" is to say that because he's Trump, IT WILL HAPPEN, just by force of his personality. And let's be honest, Trump's personality is what is attracting his rubes.