PBS Convention Coverage – A Newshour Special Report: Democratic Convention

Monday-Thursday, August 25-28 at 8 p.m.

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 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. PBS Convention Coverage – A Newshour Special Report: Democratic Convention airs Monday-Thursday, August 25-28 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11) and WXXI-HD (cable 1011 and DT 21.1). Note: PBS Republican Convention coverage will air Monday-Thursday, September 1-4 on WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11).

The PBS 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.

In addition, the Online NewsHour will have Web 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.

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., Tavis Smiley, and Washington Week, will explore relevant issues to keep viewers informed and engaged in the election process.

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer is seen five nights a week on WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11) and is also available online and via podcast.

For more information, visit www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008.

MORE COVERAGE OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON WXXI NEWS RADIO

Visit the WXXI Election '08 page for continuing coverage and links about the 2008 Election.

Pictured: Jim Lehrer
Photo Credit: PBS/Robert Severi