2024 DNC

[Chicago2008 20]

Well folks on Monday the 2024 DNC at the United Center kicks off. Feel free to post how stations are covering it through the duration in the replays. Fingers crossed that all hell doesn't break lose 

[WeatherandTraffic 54]

I wonder if the main anchor teams will anchor Sunday night for the preview of the DNC.

[NYAZSporty 125]

30 minutes ago, WeatherandTraffic said:

I wonder if the main anchor teams will anchor Sunday night for the preview of the DNC.

Yes, at least for WMAQ (NBC). https://www.nbcchicago.com/dnc-chicago-2024/nbc-5-telemundo-chicago-to-deliver-extensive-weeklong-dnc-coverage-heres-how-to-watch/3522297/

[24994J 5568]

That WMAQ press release all but confirms that Evrod Cassimy has permanently moved to weekday mornings, and that they have no immediate replacement for him on weekend evenings. Seems like that's been a rotation of reporters, for the last several weeks.

[Chicago2008 20]

Looks like WMAQ,WLS, and WFLD have there anchor teams at the UC, with another back in the studio 

[Jase 1046]

Looks like WMAQ and WBBM have the best setup. WLS and WGN are pretty high up (near the rafters) and WFLD appears to be at a lower level than everyone else. With that said, unlike in 96’, the local stations are not near each other and are instead scattered around the United Center.

 

WMAQ

 

WBBM

 

WLS

WGN

 

WFLD

Edited August 20, 2024 by Jase

[Chicago2008 20]

I noticed that the WBBM reporters that were covering the protests had little radios/walkie talkies on them. Why was this?

[NYAZSporty 125]

Not sure if it's like this elsewhere, but here in Phoenix noticing for the DNC, like the RNC, ABC is slightly ahead of the other networks.

[Jase 1046]

9 hours ago, Chicago2008 said:

I noticed that the WBBM reporters that were covering the protests had little radios/walkie talkies on them. Why was this?

 

For a number of possible reasons. You have to keep in mind that communicating via walkie talkie is likely better than trying to talk to someone by cell particularly under the circumstances. There are no doubt logistical issues (involving communication) that everyone has to work around.

Edited August 20, 2024 by Jase

[Chicago2008 20]

Anyone noticed that WFLD has taken the flags off the mics?

Edited August 20, 2024 by Chicago2008

[GraphicsMan 110]

3 hours ago, Jase said:

Looks like WMAQ and WBBM have the best setup. WLS and WGN are pretty high up (near the rafters) and WFLD appears to be in a lower level than others. That said, unlike in 96’, the local stations are not near each other and are instead scattered around the United Center.

 

WMAQ

 

WBBM

 

WLS

WGN

 

WFLD

 

I'm noticing they not sending all anchor teams to host from the convention, some are staying in studio. But this is because I  assume Chicago has done these conventions before there the city that's done them the most.

Edited August 20, 2024 by GraphicsMan

[mre29 1514]

29 minutes ago, Jase said:

 

For a number of possible reasons,. You have to keep in mind that communicating via walkie talkie is likely better than trying to talk to someone by cell particularly under the circumstances. There are no doubt logistical issues (involving communication) that everyone has to work around.

 

I'm sure the United Center brought in extra cell towers to handle the increased load, but they're undoubtedly still getting slammed. And trying to talk over an iffy connection with all the background noise of a full arena? Yeah, that's not even worth attempting.

 

[Jase 1046]

39 minutes ago, GraphicsMan said:

 

I'm noticing they not sending all anchor teams to host from the convention, some are staying in studio. But this is because I  assume Chicago has done these conventions before there the city that's done them the most.

 

It's not really necessary (sending all anchor teams to the convention). Personally, I like the balance of having a team in studio and in the field (at the convention). I think everyone locally, thus far, has done a good job. 

[MediaZone4K 2165]

7 hours ago, Jase said:

 

It's not really necessary (sending all anchor teams to the convention). Personally, I like the balance of having a team in studio and in the field (at the convention). I think everyone locally, thus far, has done a good job. 

Personally I like all anchors at the convention from the standpoint of maximizing coverage. Even when they are not doing stories on the convention, doing the entire broadcast from inside the arena keeps the subject of the DNC at the back of viewer's minds at all times. Plus, field anchoring offers a nice switch from the status quo of being in the studio everyday.

[Recovering Producer 212]

9 hours ago, mre29 said:

 

I'm sure the United Center brought in extra cell towers to handle the increased load, but they're undoubtedly still getting slammed. And trying to talk over an iffy connection with all the background noise of a full arena? Yeah, that's not even worth attempting.

 

For events like this, almost every station and network that's more than one person and a camera is paying to have their own bandwidth for communication in/out of the United Center. Whether it is hardwired phone lines or some IP solution for IFB/headset. And the cost is not small. 

 

10 hours ago, Chicago2008 said:

Anyone noticed that WFLD has taken the flags off the mics?

This has happened before for Fox stations in cities where the DNC is hosted. It's not because of the normal people attending the convention. It's because of the protesters who don't understand the difference between Fox Local and FNC Prime. 

[GodfreyGR 652]

1 hour ago, Recovering Producer said:

13 hours ago, Chicago2008 said:

Anyone noticed that WFLD has taken the flags off the mics?

This has happened before for Fox stations in cities where the DNC is hosted. It's not because of the normal people attending the convention. It's because of the protesters who don't understand the difference between Fox Local and FNC Prime. 

More likely that WFLD's reporting is being used by other O&O's and affiliates. KMSP has their own reporter there covering Walz and they have their Fox 9 mic flag on.

[Jase 1046]

15 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

Personally I like all anchors at the convention from the standpoint of maximizing coverage. Even when they are not doing stories on the convention, doing the entire broadcast from inside the arena keeps the subject of the DNC at the back of viewer's minds at all times. Plus, field anchoring offers a nice switch from the status quo of being in the studio everyday.

 

Trust me... there isn't a lack of coverage of the DNC nor is it back of minds for us here in Chicago. There is good balance (amongst the local stations) of having people at the convention and people back at home base (in studio). I agree, it nice to see the anchors, who don't do much (or any) field reporting/anchoring working outside of the studio.

 

But more importantly, you have to have someone in studio to handle any breaking news that may occur. When protestors starting to breach security zones (taking down fencing, etc..), WFLD (for example) had their anchors in studio handle that rather than the team inside the United Center. 

Edited August 21, 2024 by Jase

[MediaZone4K 2165]

8 hours ago, Jase said:

 

Trust me... there isn't a lack of coverage of the DNC nor is it back of minds for us here in Chicago. There is good balance (amongst the local stations) of having people at the convention and people back at home base (in studio). I agree, it nice to see the anchors, who don't do much (or any) field reporting/anchoring working outside of the studio.

 

But more importantly, who have to have someone in studio to handle any breaking news that may occur. When protestors starting to breach security zones (taking down fencing, etc..), WFLD (for example) had their anchors in studio handle that rather than the team inside the United Center. 

I'm heavily assuming here but....even if said person is not seen on air I'm sure the networks have somebody in limbo at the studio in case they cannot field broadcast. 

 

All in all there's no wrong answer, and it comes down to personal preference. Either you like having the entire broadcast done from the field or you rather a mix of studio/field.

[24994J 5568]

36 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

I'm heavily assuming here but....even if said person is not seen on air I'm sure the networks have somebody in limbo at the studio in case they cannot field broadcast. 

 

Absolutely correct. The main floor director for World News Tonight is often posting BTS shots of the person that'll hold fort at the desk when Muir or whoever is in the field. It's frequently either Nightline co-anchor or some correspondent, but the chair is warm.

[HanSolo 154]

10 hours ago, 24994J said:

 

Absolutely correct. The main floor director for World News Tonight is often posting BTS shots of the person that'll hold fort at the desk when Muir or whoever is in the field. It's frequently either Nightline co-anchor or some correspondent, but the chair is warm.

And the pizza while sitting there biding their time is awesome.

[bogusabc7breakingnews 60]

23 hours ago, 24994J said:

 

Absolutely correct. The main floor director for World News Tonight is often posting BTS shots of the person that'll hold fort at the desk when Muir or whoever is in the field. It's frequently either Nightline co-anchor or some correspondent, but the chair is warm.

What’s the social media handle? Would like to check it out. 

[24994J 5568]

 

1 hour ago, bogusabc7breakingnews said:

What’s the social media handle? Would like to check it out. 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9l1tPsuaHl/?igsh=MXZha2QxZ3pyenJ3eQ==

Edited August 22, 2024 by 24994J

[Chicago2008 20]

Who would you all say had the best and worst conversation coverage of the convention?

[Jase 1046]

9 hours ago, Chicago2008 said:

Who would you all say had the best and worst conversation coverage of the convention?

 

As I have said before, I think everyone did a good job overall. Glad to see everyone taking the opportunity to come up with DNC-related enterprising stories in addition to offering viewers streaming-only special newscasts. 'Tip of the Hat' to WFLD for bringing Flannery out of retirement to help with DNC coverage.  

Edited August 30, 2024 by Jase

[24994J 5568]

Speaking of retirees, NBC5 was promoting Carol Marin returning, but I never saw her (in what little I watched of their newscasts), and she hasn't shown up once in any of their post-convention team promos. Didn't see anything online, in passing, either.