July belonged to Brew City, but August is the Windy City’s time to shine. The 2024 Democratic National Convention is blowing into Chicago from August 19-22 as the news networks prepare to cover a campaign re-energized by presumptive nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. TVNewser assembled the following questionnaire to see how the different outlets plan to cover the history-making moments and general enthusiasm that are poised to be a big part of the DNC.
Jason Morrell, executive producer for Scripps News
1. Are there any takeaways from the 2024 Republican National Convention that you’ll apply to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in terms of coverage? Will you be experimenting with any different formats based on viewer feedback?
The clearest takeaway for us at Scripps News is that our audience had a strong desire to see and hear the speeches at the RNC. And we’re not just talking about the primetime speeches—they wanted to see more of the earlier ones as well. While we managed to balance our material quite well by integrating interviews, guest appearances, live reporting and balancing that with the live speeches at the RNC, we heard our audience and expect to let the events breathe a bit more [in Chicago].
2. Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden at the top of the ticket has already galvanized enthusiasm on the campaign trail. How do you expect to see that energy carry over into the DNC?
If the Harris/Walz rallies during the first week of their battleground state blitz are any indicator, I’d imagine we can anticipate a higher level of energy at the DNC. The RNC in Milwaukee was well produced and impressively executed. They did an admirable job of keeping their audience entertained and keeping the speeches punchy and short (except for the very last one, of course). But there’s a good chance we’ll see a greater infusion of celebrity flair at the DNC, combined with the presence of the young digital influencers who’ll be tracking it all. That could very well amplify the event’s energy and drive viewership.
3. Would your DNC coverage have been notably different had Biden remained the nominee? And knowing the circumstances surrounding his exit from the race, how will you approach coverage of Biden across those four days?
Oh absolutely. There’s no doubt the race has been fundamentally reshaped by Biden’s withdrawal. I think if you ask most Democrats—whether inside the Beltway or across the country—enthusiasm was down across the board… downright depressing I think many would say. Harris’ entrance in the race has injected a fresh jolt of energy they’re looking to leverage into November. In recent weeks, I’ve noticed more young people and groups eager to connect with voters and present their messages to Scripps News.
When President Biden takes the stage that first night, it will be a pivotal moment that we’ll need to accurately capture, including inviting on the right guests who can discuss his legacy. As for the extent of his influence over the convention, it remains to be seen—though a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift appearance might quickly shift the focus.
4. Does the selection of Tim Walz as Vice President provide coverage angles for the DNC that were missing from the RNC?
That’s a great question, and I believe the answer is yes. With both presidential candidates lacking military experience, the topic hasn’t been a major focal point. But with J.D. Vance and Tim Walz introduced to the race, we have two men with noted military backgrounds. While Walz has faced scrutiny from the right with allegations of exaggeration, others on the left have questioned Vance’s experience. Regardless, this military dimension is now a significant element of the race and I think that’s something we’ll see reflected at the DNC. At Scripps, we’ve already begun incorporating this angle into our coverage. I also expect to see a whole lot of those Harris/Walz camo hats on the convention floor—assuming many of the delegates could get one before they sold out.
5. Kamala Harris will be the first woman of color to accept the presidential nomination from either major party. Do you have special coverage plans surrounding that historic moment?
The moment itself will be easily captured live as it unfolds, but our challenge in the news business is to adequately prepare for and build up to the event. We are planning to feature a diverse lineup of guests that final night to provide context, explore the political journey leading to this moment and highlight its profound significance. We’ve got asks out for those who can provide those very personal stories as well.
6. 25 million viewers watched Donald Trump’s RNC acceptance speech last month. Do you anticipate Harris’s speech exceeding that number?
I learned long ago that speculating about (or even try to make sense) of ratings is futile, so I’ll refrain from that here. However, based on recent Harris/Walz rallies, it’s reasonable to anticipate a potentially larger audience out of Chicago across the board. If for no other reason than Kamala Harris, though Vice President, is still relatively unfamiliar to many.
7. Besides Harris, Walz and Biden, what other narratives are you excited to explore around the DNC?
One thing we expected in Milwaukee at the RNC was anti-Trump protests, but those never quite materialized on a large scale. However, we’re bracing for a different scenario at the DNC in Chicago, where we expect a notable presence of pro-Palestinian protestors. So that’s something we’ve got our eyes on and something we’re preparing for.
I’m also keen to see how the hundreds of online influencers credentialed for the event will cover the convention differently than traditional media. Will their very different approach reveal new insights for us? Will they drive additional tune-in? We’re hearing early reports that the DNC will feature many more live events and speeches than the RNC, including two former presidents who’ll be speaking, as well as the current one.
8. Are you taking any additional security measures in the wake of July’s assassination attempt against Trump?
Our staff’s safety is of utmost importance. Scripps News often enlists security for our staff in big news settings and the DNC is no different.
9. Ratings for the 2024 RNC were strong, but down overall from 2020 and 2016. Given recent events, could the DNC be the highest-rated convention of the past few election cycles?
I believe there’s a strong possibility the DNC could set a new benchmark for viewership. With the involvement of popular online influencers, as well as the potential appearances of A-list celebrities, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a larger spike than we’ve seen in previous conventions.
10. What are you personally looking forward to while you’re in Chicago?
As much as I’d love to be there taking in the convention firsthand, my role is best served here in Atlanta with our editorial, newsgathering and technical teams. Aside from Chicago, this is where the real action will be for us.
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