The Business of Television : John McCain

McCain to Visit ‘Letterman’

News — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:38:28 GMT

Sen. John McCain will pay a visit to CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” on Dec. 11. Sen. McCain’s appearance tomorrow night will mark his 14th visit to the program. It will also be his first visit since the presidential election....(read more)

McCain Gives Leno a Victory

News — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:49:06 GMT

John McCain’s first post-election interview with Jay Leno on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” gave the program its highest overnight rating since the show returned to original episodes during the 2008 writers strike in January. Coinciding with Veterans Day, Sen...(read more)

McCain Joins Leno on Veterans Day

News — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:11:26 GMT

Republican presidential nominee John McCain will make his first post-election late-night appearance with Jay Leno. The Arizona senator will be a guest on “The Tonight Show” on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Joining Sen. McCain will be musical...(read more)

How TV Networks Called the Obama Victory

News — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:58:57 GMT

At 11 p.m. EST, just after polls in the Western states had closed, Democratic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama was projected the 44th president of the United States by all the national TV news organizations covering the general election. Inside the “Good Morning...(read more)

Fox News Calls Key Election State Before CNN

News — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:15:42 GMT

Fox News Channel called what may turn out to have been the key state in the U.S. presidential election at 9:22 p.m. East Coast, declaring Ohio had gone to Democrat Barack Obama and quoting Republicans who had said there was "no clear path to victory"...(read more)

Ad Spending Surges as Campaign Enters Final Days

News — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:30:59 GMT

A historic presidential campaign is ending with a blitz of negative ads and a surge in spending by the presidential candidates, but a surprise shortfall in spending by independent groups. It’s also ending with the unexpected emergence of Georgia, North...(read more)

Monday’s Network Newscasts Stretch to an Hour to Handle Election News

News — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:30:55 GMT

All three broadcast networks are producing hourlong editions of their flagship newscasts on Monday, the eve of the groundbreaking, high-stakes national election. At last count on Friday, it appeared the rare second half-hour would be carried by significant...(read more)

Election Signals Major Changes on Media Issues

News — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:30:05 GMT

It may be the end to the presidential campaign, but Tuesday’s vote kicks off a high-stakes battle over media issues in the next Congress and administration. Broadcasting, advertising and consumer groups say that no matter who wins the presidency, there...(read more)

McCain's Cameo Gives 'SNL' Its Second-Best Overnights Since 1997

News — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:10:59 GMT

Sen. John McCain’s appearance last night on the final “Saturday Night Live” before the election lifted the series to its second-highest overnight rating since December 1997. Drawing a 9.0 rating/20 share overnight household rating in 56 markets, last...(read more)

Obama Campaign Buys First Ads in Arizona

News — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:26:19 GMT

Barack Obama's presidential campaign is taking the unprecedented step of launching its first advertising in rival John McCain’s home state of Arizona. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe announced the advertising buy this morning, saying the campaign...(read more)

Negative Ads Rule as Campaign Nears End, Study Shows

News — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:13:00 GMT

As the presidential campaign moved into its closing weeks, negative ads continued to dominate the airwaves. But Barack Obama’s ads have turned more negative while Republican John McCain has mixed in some positive messages to his earlier all-out-attack...(read more)

McCain, Obama to Appear on ‘Monday Night Football’ Nov. 3

News — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:32:01 GMT

Chris Berman will interview John McCain and Barack Obama during ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on Nov. 3. Mr. Berman will speak to both presidential candidates via satellite from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., during halftime of the game between...(read more)

Landslide for TV

News — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 04:31:00 GMT

The 2008 race for the presidency has been memorable for many reasons, not the least of which is the jaw-dropping effect it has had on the television industry. The campaign brought to media companies a record $750 million in advertising revenue—of which...(read more)

‘SNL’ Playing a Role

News — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 04:30:50 GMT

As the presidential election nears, there is a question about whether Sen. John McCain could be facing not just the bad economy and voters’ dislike of George Bush, but a “Tina Fey problem.” Pollster Bennett, head of Manchester, N.H.-based American Research...(read more)

McCain, Obama Lend Voices to World Series

News — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:42:47 GMT

Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama will help open the World Series on Fox through recorded quotes. Both presidential candidates recorded inspirational quotes from American icons such as Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy...(read more)