Washington Post TV writer Lisa de Moraes reported from the latest summer press tour for TV Critics in Hollywood that the TV One cable channel that caters to African-Americans has unorthodox convention-coverage plans:
Critics also did not seem altogether pleased that TV One plans to cover the Democratic convention but not the Republican convention.
"This is a huge deal for TV One, as it is for the African American community," [CEO Johnathan] Rodgers said of Sen. Barack Obama's impending nomination on the Democratic ticket. "African Americans have fallen in love with Barack Obama's...candidacy....We will be covering the Democratic convention all the time."
When asked why TV One wasn't covering the GOP convention as well, Rodgers said, "We are not a news organization. We are a television network designed to celebrate African American achievement. If Hillary...was the nominee, we would not be covering this year's Democratic convention."
Many viewers have found TV One the most reliable place to find Martin Lawrence's old sitcom, but whether that show is an "achievement" is open to question. TV One's website does have a campaign page. It's also another venue for unofficial Obama campaign spokesman (and CNN analyst) Roland Martin.
Rodgers noted the FCC's equal-time rule for presidential candidates is only for broadcast networks, not cable:
"And you think that's okay, though?" one critic pressed.
"My audience is 93 percent black. I serve my audience," Rodgers said.
Comedian Sheryl Underwood, a contributor to "TV One Live: DNC Afterparty," said she was that show's only Republican bit of on-air talent, and that she's voting for Obama. When one critic asked whether African American Republicans should feel slighted by the decision to cover just the Democrats' confab, Underwood shot back, "I speak for all eight of us -- we are not slighted."
