Limited Convention Coverage Will Leave Ann Romney Off Air

[alp227]

Source: NY Times

At 10:30 on Monday night, Ann Romney is scheduled to take the stage at the Republican National Convention, in Act 1 of her husband's four-day introduction to the nation. But tens of millions of people will not be able to watch.

CBS plans instead to show a rerun of "Hawaii Five-O," its hit police series. Viewers on NBC will see a new episode of "Grimm," about a homicide detective with the supernatural ability to sense evil. And ABC plans to show "Castle," a series about a best-selling mystery novelist who helps solve crimes.

The networks, which reap considerable advertising dollars even from summer reruns, have told the Romney campaign that they will broadcast an hour of convention coverage on the final three nights -but no more.

...

This year, the networks will broadcast three hours of live coverage for each convention, as they did in 2004.

For the Republican convention, all three networks will broadcast an hour live Tuesday through Thursday.

Read more: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/us/politics/limited-convention-coverage-will-leave-ann-romney-off-air.xml

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In 2008, I watched the conventions for the first time (i was then a senior in high school). I watched the live full coverage on PBS. I think I will watch PBS coverage again this year or if online CSPAN.

[hlthe2b]

1. But they'll expand it to 24/7 .....

if there is indeed a massive hurricane.


No, not wishing any harm to come to those who might be in its path...

[onehandle]

2. Her ladyship has been snubbed by the librul media?

Imagine the tantrum. Probably took it out on a maid or twelve.

[Raster]

3. The convention attendees were polled. They had a choice: Lady Ann telling "you people" how...

...insignificant we truly are or Rafalca the dancing horse. 9 out of 10 chose the horse.

[cosmicone]

15. Don't be mean

only 8 out of 10 chose the horse!

[Raster]

17. I am bad...

[dballance]

4. Limited TV coverage or RNC advisors realizing they should limit her coverage?

The adults who have yet to be in charge must have exercised some control finally. They realize she's not an asset because she's not sympathetic, empathetic or any other "-etic" except pathetic.

[jsr]

5. I wanted to hear about her hard life

[LiberalFighter]

10. And pays her maids/nannies diddly shit.

[yardwork]

6. Sounds like the corporate-owned networks know that the less people hear of the Romneys, the better.

I have no doubt that the corporations that own the networks want Romney to win. They realize that the more people see of the Romneys the more likely they are to vote for Obama. Accordingly, the networks will do their best to limit coverage of the Romneys.

[Blue Idaho]

7. I guess she's not nearly as charming as they hoped for...

Mrs. Willard's prickly, elitist, snobbery is not ready for prime time...

[Javaman]

8. Personally, Hawaii Five-0 would probably have a more clear and succinct political platform

that the repukes.

LET STEVE MCGARRETT SPEAK!!!

[dragonlady]

9. How the coverage has diminished

I remember watching the conventions in 1964 until very late at night and the broadcasts were truly "gavel-to-gavel" as far as I can recall. Of course they weren't scripted so thoroughly, as they are today.

[Sedona]

11. But...but...but...

it's HER turn!

[avebury]

12. If I remember correctly, there was no

convention coverage on the Monday of the last Republican Convention due to a hurricane. Jokes were made that they must have been happy because I think that was the night Bush Jr. was to talk (in person or via video I can't remember).

[alp227]

19. Neither in 2004.

On Monday, 8/30/2004, opening night of the '04 RNC, ABC was showing Monday Night Football; CBS a rerun of CSI: Miami, and NBC Last Comic Standing.

On opening night of the 2000 RNC (Monday, 7/31/00), ABC played one hour of the RNC in the third hour of primetime. At that hour, CBS showed Becker and 48 Hours (program summary, did not include convention coverage: http://web.archive.org/web/20000815060803/cbsnews.cbs.com/now/story/0,1597,43199-412,00.shtml). NBC a rerun of Third Watch. For the 2000 DNC here's how the coverage played out:
- Opening night, Monday 8/14/00: ABC and NBC both had coverage in hour 3.
- Day 2, Tuesday 8/15: ABC and CBS (as part of 60 Minutes II after two other unrelated stories: http://web.archive.org/web/20000815053148/cbsnews.cbs.com/now/story/0,1597,48284-412,00.shtml)
- All three networks covered the next two nights.

In 1996, all three networks had coverage for every night of the RNC and DNC (Source: TVTango.com). Of course 1996 was before the network news divisions decided to play more nice with the entertainment divisions.

This fact the screaming conservatives will NEVER pick up on.

[Fla Dem]

13. Back in the day, before cable....it was gavel to gavel coverage.

On all 3 networks. Nothing else on. I thnk that's when I first became interested in politics. I think it was the 1960 campaign, Kennedy, that's what did it.

[truthisfreedom]

14. But Michelle will be appearing on Letterman on Wednesday evening during the gop convention.

Our First Lady gets the spotlight. Their equestrian lady gets nada.

[tanyev]

16. We people are grateful for this blessing.

[2Design]

18. stepford wife - angry elitest

[avebury]

20. The Romney campaign is better off if fewer people

watch Ann Romney's speech. She is no real asset in helping Romney reach out beyond the base. In the two interview clips that I have seen she comes across as a white elitist *itch that does not exude charm, intelligence, or warm and fuzzy vibes. She is a speck of dirt compared to Michelle Obama or Dr. Jill Biden, both of whom the Democrats can send out campaigning and giving interviews and they just shine with sincerity, warmth, and intelligence. I wouldn't let Ann Romney out on the campaign trail without a babysitter. Politically savvy she is not.

[goclark]

22. must have a babysitter...nail on the head

That is a winner!!!!!
Mittwit needs a sitter too.
I can't stop laughing !

[HooptieWagon]

21. Ladies night will probably be cancelled by hurricane anyway.