Democratic National Convention
August 25-28, at 8 p.m.
Republican National Convention
September 1-4, at 8 p.m.
on WKAR-HD and WKAR-23
WKAR Offers Live, Primetime, Convention Coverage
As this summer’s national political conventions take place (Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO; August 25 to 28; Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN; September 1 to 4), The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will produce more than 24 hours of live, prime time coverage to be broadcast in high-definition nationwide on PBS. These eight nights of convention coverage will be the only complete broadcast coverage made available by a U.S. broadcast television network.
Led by the “NewsHour” Team
Coverage will be anchored by Jim Lehrer, anchor and executive editor of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, from sky boxes overlooking the podiums in both convention halls. Lehrer will be joined by, among others, NewsHour senior correspondents Gwen Ifill, Ray Suarez, Judy Woodruff and Margaret Warner. Political analysis will be provided by New York Times columnist David Brooks and syndicated columnist Mark Shields. Presidential historians Michael Beschloss and Richard Norton Smith will add historical perspective and Andy Kohut, President of the Pew Research Center, will update viewers with the latest polling information.
Among the highlights of PBS’ broadcast coverage will be extended uninterrupted coverage of podium activities and speeches; reporting from the floor of both conventions; newsmaker interviews; political analysis and historical perspective.
Also Online
Visit the Election 2008 pages at WKAR.org for archived editions of Off the Record, on-demand playbacks of 90.5 WKAR Radio interviews with candidates and others involved in local and regional elections and some exciting new interactive features.
Check out the candidate survey -- by putting in your answers on the multiple-choice form and ranking those issues as important, not important or somewhat important, you'll learn which candidate opinions best reflect your views for all candidates running (not just the major party candidates).
You can also share your ideas on how to fix our nation's economy in another interactive section.
Nationally, the Online NewsHour will have staffers at the conventions to cover behind-the-scenes stories that will pair with the NewsHour’s broadcast coverage. With an eye on the issues at play in battleground states and, through partnerships with local public TV and radio stations, Online plans to capture first-hand perspectives of state delegates and other voices from the convention floor.
As part the convention section of the Vote 2008 Web site, the Online NewsHour will post video, audio and other multi-media reports, forums for viewers to ask questions to experts and correspondents and other special coverage. Editors will also be publishing photos on the NewsHour’s Flickr account, updating the NewsHour Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute observations and helping to update and maintain the 2008 NPR/NewsHour interactive election map.
More to Come
Throughout the fall, PBS will present special election programming to provide viewers with in-depth information and analysis as they head to the polls. In addition to the NewsHour’s daily coverage, regular series such as American Experience, Bill Moyers’ Journal, Frontline, Nightly Business Report, NOW on PBS, P.O.V. and Washington Week, as well as specials such as Latinos and Politics, will explore relevant issues to keep viewers informed and engaged in the election process.
WKAR will supplement the PBS programming with Off the Record Special Edition programs covering some of the regional contests, including key Congressional races and ballot proposals.
published: August 19, 2008
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