Networks and Cable Channels Roll Out Key Talent For 2011 State Of The Union Coverage

By Alex Weprin 

All four major broadcast networks, along with the cable news channels, are bringing out the big name talent for coverage of the 2011 State of The Union address Tuesday evening.

On the broadcast networks, NBC has Brian Williams anchoring along with “Meet the Press” host David Gregory.

ABC has Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchoring, joined by a number of correspondents, hosts, and analysts, including Jake Tapper, Christiane Amanpour, Jonathan Karl and Deborah Roberts.

Advertisement

On CBS, “CBS Evening News” anchor Katie Couric will lead the coverage, joined by CBS reporters and analysts.

On the Fox broadcasting network, Fox News Channel’s Shepard Smith will anchor coverage. Smith will be joined by “Fox News Sunday” anchor Chris Wallace and correspondent Wendell Goler.

On the cable news channels:

Fox News Channel has Bret Baier will anchor the coverage. Baier will be joined by analysts Juan Williams, Charles Krauthammer and Kirsten Powers, along with Brit Hume. Carl Cameron and Mike Emanuel will provide live reports throughout the evening. FNC will have a new “O’Reilly Factor” until about 8: 55 or so, when the SOTU programming will begin. Following the SOTU coverage, there will be an abbreviated edition of “Hannity” until 11 PM, followed by a new “On the Record.”

CNN is blowing out its normal weekday programming in favor of special coverage, anchored by Wolf Blitzer. Blitzer will be joined by Anderson Cooper, Candy Crowley, John King and Piers Morgan. 8 PM hosts Kathleen Parker and Eliot Spitzer will provide analysis, along with Gloria Borger, David Gergen, Roland Martin and Erick Erickson. Furthermore, Ali Velshi and Joe Johns will be utilizing the three dimensional graphics that were used during the election last year to discuss the issues the President speaks about.

On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow will host the coverage, and will be joined by Lawrence O’Donnell, Chris Matthews, Ed Schultz and Eugene Robinson. There will be new, live installments of “The Last Word” at 8 and 11 PM ET, with a live edition of “The Rachel Maddow Show” at midnight ET.

On the business networks:

CNBC has Carl Quintanilla and John Harwood anchoring from Washington DC. There is also a special edition of “Squawk Box” slated for Wednesday morning, originating from DC.

On Fox Business Network, Neil Cavuto will anchor from the Newseum in Washington DC. Cavuto will be joined by FBN correspondents Peter Barnes and Rich Edson, along with a number of prominent analysts and business leaders. Following Cavuto’s coverage, there will be a live edition of “Stossel,” with host John Stossel, FBN host Andrew Napolitano talking about the Libertarian reaction to the President’s speech and the Republican response with Rep. Ron Paul and David Boaz. Stossel will also deliver his own State of the Union speech during the program, his first live hour with FBN.

On Bloomberg, Charlie Rose will host from Bloomberg’s DC studio. Rose will be joined by correspondents Peter Cook, Al Hunt, Lizzie O’Leary and Julianna Goldman.

On Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, Maria Elena Salinas will anchor, with Lourdes Meluza reporting from Capitol Hill. Guests and analysts will include former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Congressman Francisco Canseco (R-TX).

Advertisement