As the drama has left the conventions , and complaints grown that they were scripted and dull pep rallies , viewership — and television network advertising revenue — have fallen off . Midway through the 1996 Republican National Convention , '' Nightline '' host Ted Koppel told viewers he was going back home , saying : Thus in subsequent election years , the broadcast networks began increasingly limiting their coverage , arguing that those interested can watch the proceedings on a cable news network such as CNN , MSNBC , or the Fox News Channel . In 2004 , the big three networks started devoting only three hours of live coverage to each political convention , although there were highlights of speeches during the networks ' morning and evening newscasts
1996 Republican National Convention
1996 Republican National Convention
United States presidential nominating convention