LOS ANGELES—Veteran newsman Ted Koppel will provide commentary and analysis from the Democratic National Convention for BBC America’s nightly newscast, he told a gathering of TV critics here today.
The “BBC World News America” team will broadcast live from Denver with a staff of 30-40 people, according to anchor Matt Frei. The network plans to anchor its newscast from Denver all four nights with a live hour, set for 8 p.m. Denver time, updated later in the evening.
Koppel, who currently produces documentaries for Discovery Channel (notably a four-parter on China launching this week), famously walked out on the GOP convention in San Diego in 1996, saying it was nothing more than a picture show.
“I don’t think anyone could make that observation this year,” he said.
“You cannot over-estimate the interest in these U.S. elections throughout Europe,” Frei said, adding that his plumber recently rang him up to inquire about the American super delegate system.
Asked about the perceived sexiness of the Barack Obama convention coverage compared to that for John McCain, the BBC America panel emphasized impartiality.
“There is a danger of Obama-mania, particularly overseas,” said “BBC World News America” executive producer Rome Hartman, a longtime CBS News executive producer who oversaw the launch of the Katie Couric newscast. “We have to make sure our coverage is balanced. We have an obligation to cover each party in roughly equal measure.”
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
