Some TV networks won't air Trump's speech live

Source: Axios · Bias: Center Left

Summary

President Trump's prime-time speech Thursday evening won't receive live coverage among at least two of the four major TV networks — but it will be available via streaming.The big picture: The address, which is expected to center around election security, put ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX between a rock and a hard place: air potentially false information about the 2020 election, or risk backlash from the White House and a confrontational Federal Communications Commission (FCC).Driving the news: NBC News said in a statement it would provide live coverage of the president's remarks on NBC News NOW, and air "a special report on the [NBC]" afterward.ABC said it would air the speech on its 24/7 streaming channel, ABC News Live, and ABC News Radio "with comprehensive, anchored coverage" and "in our regular network newscasts."ABC added that it is "prepared to break into network programming to deliver live updates and reporting should significant developments occur."CBS and FOX have yet to announce their plans for the speech.Catch up quick: Trump has promised "really big news" in his 9pm ET speech, though he's signaled it will center on "free and fair elections."Zoom out: Broadcasters have long exercised editorial judgment about whether to air presidential addresses, including speeches by Democratic presidents.In 2022, ABC, CBS and NBC all declined to run a speech by President Biden about threats to democracy that sharply criticized Trump and those who denied the 2020 election results.That denial was in part because some critics viewed the address as a partisan speech designed to boost Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms as opposed to a speech updating the nation on an urgent national situation. Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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Some TV networks won't air Trump's speech live
Axios

Some TV networks won't air Trump's speech live

Center Left

President Trump's prime-time speech Thursday evening won't receive live coverage among at least two of the four major TV networks — but it will be available via streaming.The big picture: The address, which is expected to center around election security, put ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX between a rock and a hard place: air potentially false information about the 2020 election, or risk backlash from the White House and a confrontational Federal Communications Commission (FCC).Driving the news: NBC News said in a statement it would provide live coverage of the president's remarks on NBC News NOW, and air "a special report on the [NBC]" afterward.ABC said it would air the speech on its 24/7 streaming channel, ABC News Live, and ABC News Radio "with comprehensive, anchored coverage" and "in our regular network newscasts."ABC added that it is "prepared to break into network programming to deliver live updates and reporting should significant developments occur."CBS and FOX have yet to announce their plans for the speech.Catch up quick: Trump has promised "really big news" in his 9pm ET speech, though he's signaled it will center on "free and fair elections."Zoom out: Broadcasters have long exercised editorial judgment about whether to air presidential addresses, including speeches by Democratic presidents.In 2022, ABC, CBS and NBC all declined to run a speech by President Biden about threats to democracy that sharply criticized Trump and those who denied the 2020 election results.That denial was in part because some critics viewed the address as a partisan speech designed to boost Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms as opposed to a speech updating the nation on an urgent national situation. Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.