Networks offer TV coverage of convention, and more

By Frazier Moore, Associated Press, 07/28/00

NEW YORK -- Four years ago, Bob Dole was accepting the Republicans' nomination for president. This year, he'll be helping humorist Jon Stewart with mock coverage of the convention for Comedy Central's "Daily Show."

CONVENTION TV COVERAGE
Prime time TV coverage of Republican National Convention, all times Eastern:
ABC: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10-11 p.m.; Thursday: 9-11 p.m.
CBS: Monday, Tuesday: Segments on news magazines, 10-11 p.m.; Wednesday: 10-11 p.m.; Thursday: 9-11 p.m.
NBC: Wednesday: 10-11 p.m.; Thursday: 9:30-11 p.m.
PBS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8-11 p.m.
C-SPAN: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5 p.m.-midnight. Gavel-to-gavel coverage during daytime.
CNN: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
MSNBC: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Plus continous daytime coverage.
Fox News Channel: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6-11 p.m.

    

Times change.

Times are changing, too, for more serious TV coverage as eyes turn to Philadelphia's First Union Center for the Republican National Convention next week.

Most networks' over-the-air broadcast coverage will be, well, selective. But alternative sources abound as never before for what can be a rich mix of broadcast, cable and Internet-delivered information. (In the lingo of the times, NBC News boasts of its "integrated news coverage across three platforms.")

But even viewers who don't have cable service or an Internet connection won't be left out. As usual, the broadcast affiliates of PBS will carry prime-time coverage through the auspices of "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," from 8 to 11 p.m. EDT, Monday through Thursday.

On Monday, the convention's opening night, ABC will bring viewers coverage following NFL "Monday Night Football" (rescheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and end at approximately 10 p.m.). Tuesday and Wednesday, as well, an hour of coverage begins at 10 p.m. On Thursday, when presidential nominee George W. Bush delivers his acceptance speech, coverage extends from 9 to 11 p.m.

CBS will integrate live convention coverage Monday into a special edition of its newsmagazine "48 Hours" at 10 p.m., and on Tuesday at 10 p.m., within "60 Minutes II." On Wednesday, coverage begins at 10 p.m., and at 9 p.m. Thursday.

NBC plans to offer coverage on the broadcast network Wednesday at 10 p.m. and Thursday at 9:30 p.m., but its cable component, MSNBC, will provide continuous coverage all four days, pre-empting its regular prime-time programming.

CNN and Fox News Channel (which had not yet signed on four years ago) will be all over the convention.

While scrapping most of its usual nightly schedule, CNN plans to have convention-oriented editions of "Larry King Live" in its regular 9 p.m. slot, as well as a second hour at 1 a.m.

Fox News Channel coverage will be available to Fox Broadcasting affiliates for airing at their prerogative.

And finally, C-SPAN will offer full gavel-to-gavel coverage, even including morning sessions. The public affairs cable network will re-air each evening's session at midnight.