PRESS RELEASE from MSNBC
August 16, 2012

MSNBC TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE 2012 REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONS

MSNBC to Telecast Live from Channelside in Tampa and the EpiCentre Courtyard in Charlotte

Primetime Convention Coverage Hosted By Rachel Maddow with Chris Matthews

Interactive MSNBC Fan Experiences Hosted in Tampa and Charlotte

NEW YORK – August 16, 2012 – MSNBC will present 20 hours a day of live coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC.

MSNBC convention coverage will kick off daily with “Way too Early” and “Morning Joe” live from Tampa and Charlotte starting at 5:30 a.m. MSNBC’s special primetime coverage of the conventions, hosted by Rachel Maddow with Chris Matthews, will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.

MSNBC dayside and primetime will telecast live from outdoor sets in both convention cities. MSNBC will also provide a consumer marketing experience at each convention, giving fans a chance to interact with the MSNBC brand like never before.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN TAMPA:

“Mitt Romney: The Making of a Candidate,” hosted by NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and Political Director Chuck Todd, will air on Friday, August 24 at 10 PM ET.

“Way too Early with Willie Geist” (5:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. ET) and “Morning Joe” (6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET) will be live from the Morning Joe Elephant Bar at Channelside from August 27 through August 31. The restaurant (also known as Howl at the Moon) will be open to the general public during the live show.

MSNBC will also host a “Morning Joe” viewing party for fans at the Boat House Bar at Channelside. The party is open to the public and will including personalized button making, interactive photo booths, a latte artist and free coffee.

MSNBC daytime programming continues with Chuck Todd hosting the “Daily Rundown” (9:00-10:00 a.m. ET) and Andrea Mitchell hosting “Andrea Mitchell Reports” (1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET) from the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Chuck, Andrea, and additional hosts including S.E. Cupp, will contribute live reports throughout the day for MSNBC from Tampa.

MSNBC’s evening coverage will begin with “Hardball with Chris Matthews” live at 5 p.m. ET from an outdoor set at Channelside in Tampa.

Special primetime coverage of the conventions will be live from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET August 27-August 30. Primetime coverage will be hosted by Rachel Maddow with Chris Matthews joined by Ed Schultz, Lawrence O’Donnell, Rev. Al Sharpton, Chris Hayes and campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. Contributors will include Alex Wagner, Melissa Harris-Perry, Former RNC chairman Michael Steele, Washington Post’s Ezra Klein, Huffington Post’s Howard Fineman, Frm. Gov. Ed Rendell, and Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson.



DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHARLOTTE:


MSNBC will present special programming on Labor Day - Monday, September 3 - starting with a two-hour “Daily Rundown” (8:00 -10:00 a.m.) hosted by Chuck Todd from the EpiCentre courtyard. Regular MSNBC programming will continue throughout the day. “Barack Obama: Making History,” hosted by Chris Matthews, will air on Monday, September 3 at 10 p.m. ET.

“Way too Early with Willie Geist” (5:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. ET) and “Morning Joe” (6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET) will be live from BlackFinn restaurant at the EpiCentre from September 4 – 7. The restaurant will be open to the public during the live show.

Chuck Todd will host “Daily Rundown” (9:00-10:00 a.m. ET) and Andrea Mitchell will host “Andrea Mitchell Reports” (1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET) from inside the Time Warner Area. Chuck, Andrea, and other hosts including Steve Kornacki, will contribute live reports throughout the day for MSNBC from Charlotte.

“Hardball with Chris Matthews” live at 5 p.m. ET from an outdoor set in the courtyard at the EpiCentre. Special primetime coverage of the conventions will be live from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET September 4-6. Primetime coverage will be hosted by Rachel Maddow with Chris Matthews joined by Ed Schultz, Lawrence O’Donnell, Rev. Al Sharpton, Chris Hayes and campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. Contributors will include Alex Wagner, Melissa Harris-Perry, Former RNC chairman Michael Steele, Washington Post’s Ezra Klein, Huffington Post’s Howard Fineman, Frm. Gov. Ed Rendell, and Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson.

In Charlotte, MSNBC will present an interactive consumer experience from September 4-6 located at Enso restaurant in the EpiCentre courtyard. Fans can expect daily “Morning Joe” and primetime viewing parties, host meet and greets, personalized souvenir button-making, photo booths, show giveaways, refreshments, charging stations and free wi-fi. There will also be an interactive social media component, allowing visitors and viewers to join in the MSNBC conversation. Full programming schedule including chats with talent and producers, behind the scenes viewing events, and interactive photo booth features will be posted daily on the conventions tab @ facebook.com/msnbc