In a live primetime address, Pres. Obama announced he has ordered a humanitarian effort to help Iraqis threatened by the terror group ISIS and has authorized — though not yet ordered — targeted airstrikes against the group to protect U.S. personnel in Northern Iraq.
The president’s remarks began at 9:30pmET, pre-empting the summer filler sitcom “Working the Engels” on NBC and “Rookie Blue” on ABC. FOX and CBS did not offer a special reports. Some CBS stations on the West Coast produced their own special reports, while some Fox affiliates simulcast Fox News Channel.
The president ended his remarks at 6:38pmPT, eight minutes in to the network evening newscasts’ West Coast editions. NBC’s Brian Williams rolled into a live edition “Nightly News” with breaking updates from correspondents at the Pentagon and White House. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos wrapped up ABC’s special report which then joined ABC “World News,” anchored by David Muir in progress.