The networks will be at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia Monday through Thursday, but news junkies will need cable if they want to get any meaty coverage. Fox News Channel, CNN and C-SPAN are all expected to hit it gavel to gavel.
CBS’ “48 Hours” on Monday and “60 Minutes II” on Tuesday will carry special convention coverage live from 9 to 10 p.m. (WBBM-Ch. 2). Wednesday’s nominating process also will be at 9 p.m., and Thursday’s acceptance speech is part of a two-hour wrap-up beginning at 8 p.m.
NBC won’t jump onto the convention bandwagon in prime time until 9 p.m. Wednesday (WMAQ-Ch. 5). A 90-minute special is at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. MSNBC will provide wall-to-wall reporting.
ABC seems to be the most dedicated. Monday’s preseason matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots has been pushed up to 6 p.m. (WLS-Ch. 7), with an hour of convention details to follow. Peter Jennings also will do a special halftime convention update. ABC will be on hand at 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
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PBS’ “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” will air in prime time each night from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on WTTW-Ch. 11. And take note: this coverage dance will be played again with the Democratic National Convention Aug. 14-17 in Los Angeles.