On average, each of the three networks' convention coverage was watched by 4.9 million households and had a 5.3 rating.

For two decades, the amount of convention coverage has been a testy issue.

That fell to a 4.1 once the convention coverage came on.

The second half-hour of convention coverage lost almost half that audience, falling to a 3.8 rating.

Anyone nostalgic for old-time convention coverage knew where to find it.

It means more than 4 1/2 hours of convention coverage every 4 years.

So, are Americans getting the convention coverage they deserve?

It will also provide convention coverage, to be written by freelance journalists.

Anyone up for 264 hours of convention coverage a day?

The networks' decision to cut back on convention coverage this year, after receiving low ratings in 1984 and 1988, make image that much more important.