For the first time ever from a political convention, New York 1 News is being seen outside of the city.
The extra reach is part of a statewide effort by Time Warner Cable's local news networks to cover political events.
"This is certainly the most comprehensive thing we've ever done," Steve Paulus, regional vice president and general manager of Time Warner Cable's local news division, said yesterday from St. Paul.
The extended reach of New York 1 began with the Democratic National Convention and continues this week from the Republican Convention. The coverage is airing on Capital News 9 (Albany), News 10 Now (Syracuse/Binghamton), R News (Rochester), NY1 and NY1 Noticias.
The channels also partnered for coverage of the Pope's visit earlier this year, but they've never done it for a political event. All the channels, with the exception of NY1 Noticias, are getting live feeds of key convention speeches and highlights and a nightly wrapup show at 11:15.
The prime-time speech coverage is co-anchored by NY1's Dominic Carter and Albany's Brian Taffe.
"This is the first time we've had such a statewide presence and statewide newscasts," Paulus said.
Paulus, who also oversees Time Warner news channels in Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, Buffalo and Albany, is coordinating the coverage.
"When I go down to the floor of the convention, and look up at the skyboxes, there's no local presence," Paulus said. "We're the only ones up there, the only local group that is doing this."
How much convention stuff is carried live in prime time depends on the events, Paulus said. The channels have floor camera positions and reporters talking to delegates from around the region.
And using editing equipment in St. Paul, Paulus and his team are able to use one report and localize it with sources from each market.
Paulus' team is also providing help to Time Warner channels in North Carolina and Austin, Tex.
"When I look back four or eight years ago, it was very simple," Paulus said. "We did it for New York 1. Now, it's turned into sort of a mini-network hub providing facilities and resources for all of these sources."