African-American TV Channel Won't Cover GOP Convention

NEW YORK — TV One, the cable network aimed at African-American viewers, will cover Barack Obama's nominating convention but is ignoring John McCain's.

The network is telecasting live, prime-time coverage of the Democratic convention in Denver Aug. 25-28, followed by "TV One Live: DNC Afterparty," with political and social commentary from panelists. TV One is available in 43.7 million households, or about 40 percent of the nation's TV homes.

Obama's nomination as the first black to be a major party presidential nominee is an historic event for African-Americans, so it's important for the network to be there, said Johnathan Rodgers, the network's president and CEO.

"While viewers can get coverage of the convention from any number of networks, we plan to cover the convention from a uniquely African American perspective," he said.

The network has no plans to cover the Republican convention.

"We are not a news organization," Rodgers said. "We are a television network that is designed to celebrate African-American achievement. That is why we are covering this convention. If Hillary (Clinton) was the nominee, we would not be covering this year's Democratic convention."

Comments

[kentay305]

its simple if you dont or havent watched TVONE for any reason before they announced this...the­n this shouldnt put you in an uproar...

if you watch black enterprize magazine, our world, the many specials and mini documentaries they put on about culture and history then watch and support the show...

hey its tv... when my white brother and sisters give it a chance and they dont like it they can change the channel... simple enough...

[mindlessmissy]

Exactly ... Its like saying BET isn't playing enough HARD-ROCK genre music videos ... Everyone tailors their products to attract the audience they are trying to garner ... ASK FOX ....

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

I'm an african-american female and I'm not entirely sure I agree with this move. I understand that a lot of minorities tend to affiliate with the Democratic party (and even that is changing), but I don't think that is justification to completely shut down the Republican party's message. I think being informed, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation, means allowing for both views to be communicated. We're all responsible enough to interpret that message individually.

It's only one person's opinion, but if this becomes the 'norm' then we are all in a world of hurt where every news station starts to look like Fox News on one end and MSNBC on the other. That would just get ugly.

[ZimboChick]

high five all around. why should they when other stations are refusing to run Obama's ads for obvious reasons

[bazokbros]

TVOne's entertainment value is questionable in itself, but they make a point they are not a news organization. Maybe they would be better off covering Obama's acceptance speech instead of the Dem convention, however I am neither the Director of Programming nor is anyone else upset by their decision. I didn't send letters to CMT channel for not dedicating significant time blocks during Black History Month for failing to recognize contributions to country music by African Americans.

[Syco]

why should they?
They are like BET but they don't make us look bad

[surfcitysteven]

I'm sure Faux news can keep us on pace with the uptighty whitey crowd at that geezer convention.

[Melissa]

Can you imagine the uproar if another cable station only covered the Republican convention?

[LeftLeanWing]

And if Hillary was the DEM candidate I'm sure Oxygen and Lifetime would have been all over it.

Bill Richardson - Telemundo.

So Barack logically will have TV-One focusing on his candidacy.

[Wanjiru]

...great job!...

...wish others had the balls to do the same...

...that hot air the GOP has been blowing for the past seven years has NUMBED American's brains...

.

[Wanjiru]

...America­ns' brains, I meant...

.

[bayside]

Why cover it if nobody is watching it. Now the dem. convention, is another story as most will watch that.

[jonmonbuckeye]

Think of it as a cost saving measure. Just play the convention from either 2000 or 2004. Believe me, nobody will be any wiser.

[allonfla]

This is a business decision. Your audience is 93% Black and I assume Democrat or NOT voting Republican. Why spend the money to cover a show that no one will watch and you probably won't get sponsors for? On the other hand, I think his audience needs to know what McCain has to say. It is wise to know your enemy.

[Stew118]

I agree with you it is wise to keep up with the enemy, but seeing as nearly all corporate media has attempted to out-foxnews eachother I find it pretty easy to keep up with the enemy every time I turn on cablenews.

[nyckingpin]

I doubt the GOP even knows TV1 exists.

[Syco]

i dont think most people know it exist

[vikingv]

Just like the Fox Network covers the Democratic Convention and the New Orleans Disaster to their idealogical advantage, so too should TV One cover the Republican Convention to their constituent's advantage. Do you think Fox would pass up the chance to manipulate the truth???? TV One should not pass up the responsibility set the truth right. There is a need to protect yourself from attacks by Fox Republicans, a need for truthful reporting during a convention that will smear the rights of many people and many groups.

[nowRnever]

Excellent point viking. I hadn't thought of that!

[ann1]

Like the republicans will watch anyway....­...duh