DALLAS — The GOP midterm convention, featuring President Trump, may face challenges in television coverage due to competition from NFL games and unclear plans from major networks. The convention is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Dallas, coinciding with the NFL's opening game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on NBC, and a game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, streamed on Netflix.
C-SPAN will provide comprehensive coverage on its TV channel and website, while Fox News has committed to live programming from the convention site. Major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and MS NOW did not respond to inquiries regarding their coverage plans. NBC, which pays over $2 billion annually for NFL rights, is set to air the game on Wednesday.
Despite potential viewership challenges, RNC officials express confidence in attracting a significant audience. Danielle Alvarez, a senior advisor at the Republican National Committee, stated, "There is no bigger headliner than President Donald J. Trump – he is ratings gold." RNC spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre added that the convention is expected to draw considerable viewership, highlighting Trump’s appeal as a prominent figure.
Fox News will have many of its anchors and correspondents present in Texas, with Sean Hannity's show scheduled to air for two hours each evening. CNN has also indicated it will cover the convention and report on key moments and speeches.
While CBS plans to have reporters on-site, sources indicate that there are no major plans for extensive coverage. The convention is notable as it is the first of its kind and will be open to the public, with over 20,000 attendees expected, according to the RNC.
Typically, political conventions are held in presidential election years, and even those events have seen declining ratings as viewers find them increasingly predictable. This convention aims to promote GOP congressional candidates, although some candidates from swing states may choose to campaign in their districts instead.
In addition to Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other candidates are set to address the event. Dennis Lennox, a GOP strategist, remarked that the convention resembles a Trump rally more than a traditional party convention, which may influence media coverage. He noted that legitimate conventions receive significantly less coverage than they once did, questioning the media's interest in what he termed a "faux convention."
The Republicans' messaging will also be disseminated through social media and conservative networks such as Rumble, Newsmax, and OAN.