Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 21 > Entry
Debate in Austin: Media hordes have arrived!
Austin is the center of the political universe — at least for this particular day. And night.
You want proof? Try driving anywhere near the University of Texas campus between San Jacinto Boulevard and 21st Street … or pretty much anywhere near the Recreational Sports Center, where tonight’s Democratic presidential debate will take place. It’s a zoo out there!
As evidence of the importance of this showdown between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, 25 gigantic satellite trucks were lined up before noon. More are expected, lots more.
By 5 o’clock this afternoon, reporters will be shouting their “live from Austin” standups outside the Rec Center in anticipation of the 7 p.m. debate. And they’ll be lining up again with updates for each station’s 6 and 10 p.m. news. Some may even hang around until tomorrow for reactions and updates.
I took this “eyewitness” tour of the media camp before noon because the streets will be closed by 1 p.m. The reporting hordes have come from all across Texas, the United States and the world. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox network news crews are here, along with network affiliates from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. There was even a truck with the CW logo on it — who knew they had news?
All the Austin stations’ trucks are out there — KVUE, KTBC, KEYE, KXAN and News 8 Austin. They must have arrived at the crack of dawn, because they’re all in choice locations.
CNN and Univision, the news networks sponsoring and airing the debate, figure prominently in the crush.
And this being the age when everyone is looking for a way to cut costs, there are plenty of satellite-trucks-for-hire scattered around, beaming footage to dozens (if not hundreds) of stations around the country. Parked next to the Dallas Fox truck was Peak Uplink, serving whoever paid for the service. Other providers-for-hire (as of noon) included Sat-Link and Global Services.
None of the Big Three network anchors will be anchoring from Austin tonight, but reports about the debate will be featured prominently on tonight and tomorrow night’s news. ABC’s Kate Snow and David Wright will be roaming the venue, as will CBS’ Jim Axelrod.
Lots of other media stars will be here, too, so if you’re a media groupie, bring your cell-phone camera and stroll past — but don’t try to drive and park. And for heaven’s sake, don’t try to crash the debate. Secret Service and other security are everywhere.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: News coverage
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By Michelle L.
February 22, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
BARACK OBAMA WON THE TEXAS DEBATE!
BARACK OBAMA FOR "CHANGE"
BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!
YES WE CAN!
By Steve
February 21, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Those trucks were there on WED NIGHT, by 7pm. Was suprised to see them there so early.