<P> 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: </P> <P> There was a time when the national political conventions were news events of such complexity that they required the presence of thousands of journalists...But not this year...This convention is more of an infomercial than a news event . </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> However, many journalists still believe that the public should be exposed to political conventions . PBS, of note, continues to provide full prime - time coverage of the political conventions, although it breaks away from minor speakers and mundane business for analysis and discussion . C - SPAN broadcasts both major conventions in their entirety, and the parties stream their conventions on the internet . </P>

Where are candidates officially nominated by their respective parties