CNN Details Convention Coverage Plans
Network's Extensive Telecasts Will Include Live Coverage of Obama Speech
By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 8/21/2008 10:35:00 AM
CNN will anchor its multi-platform coverage of the Democratic National Convention from sets on the delegation floor at the Pepsi Center in Denver, and will provide live coverage of Sen. Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech next Thursday at Denver’s Invesco Field, officials said Thursday.
For all four days of the convention from Monday to Thursday, CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brownand Anderson Cooper will provide insight and analysis during the network’s primetime coverage, with Larry King wrapping up each day’s events at midnight. John Roberts in Denver and Kiran Chetry in CNN’s Election Center in New York will offer convention news in the morning on AmericanMorning.
Throughout the convention, CNN will operate sky booths as interview locations, production rooms and work space to accommodate CNN.com, CNN International, CNN Radio, CNN en Español, CNN Newsource, and TV Asahi.
CNN will employ the “magic wall” to better communicate delegate math and the Electoral College breakdown.
The news network will shoot the entire convention in an HDTV format as well as introduce new HDTV cameras during the convention. The CNN Election Express, the network’s mobile news bureau, will serve as the network’s primary production center for live shot locations, as well as the main transmission vehicle for Obama’s acceptance speech.
Online, CNN.com will provide live coverage of the convention ranging from highlights of the latest developments to key speeches to profiles of Obama and major players in the Democratic Party. Each day, the site will feature a detailed schedule and viewing guide for upcoming events, as well as multiple photo galleries featuring notable convention moments, major party players and analysts.
The CNN Grill—the dining concept CNN introduced during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City—will be open for the duration of the convention at Brooklyn’s restaurant located across the street from the Pepsi Center. The Grill will be open each convention day for CNN hospitality and invited guests.
On-air convention coverage begins Friday night with chief national correspondent John King anchoring special editions of both Campbell Brown: Election Center and Anderson Cooper 360° from Denver. Coverage continues over the weekend with a live “America Votes 2008” special originating from the Pepsi Center on Saturday at 8 p.m.., and includes a second live special on Sunday at 8 p.m.
