One week from today “DANVILLE, Ky” will be one of the most prevalent datelines in the news business.
At the conclusion of Wednesday night’s broadcast of the first presidential debate in Denver, moderator Jim Lehrer informed the audience of a projected 50 million viewers, “The next debate will be the vice presidential event on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Centre College in Danville, Ky.” Now, the cameras and coverage will shift to the meeting between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.
Centre Director of Communications Michael Strysick has become accustomed to working in pencil, as helping coordinate coverage by television networks and cable news organizations has remained in a constant state of flux. While it still isn't certain who might be in town at what time, it's clear the campus and town will become temporary studios and backdrops for hundreds of broadcasts.
Strysick said Wednesday many of MSNBC's political shows, including “Hardball with Chris Matthews” and “Daily Rundown” with Chuck Todd, among others, will film from a stage that will be set up near Crounse Hall on campus.
Talks are still ongoing with Politico and CNN among others.
A representative for Fox News said earlier this week they should have a better idea by Friday how they will cover the event.
Strysick said there are 50 “stand-up” positions for television shoots on media row, which will be set up on College and West Walnut streets. He said Wisconsin, Ryan's home state, is sending three network affiliates and other stations from major media markets like Chicago and Los Angeles also have confirmed their attendance.
The college also has a better idea of what the overall media presence will be.
Centre initially had to guarantee accommodations for 3,000 media and crew members, which can mean anyone from on-air personalities and camera crews to producers and technicians. Strysick said it looks like there will be at least that many people on campus, including at least 600 people from other countries.
College officials have been working with the State Department on dealing with the large international contingent. Strysick said 48 different news organizations from as many as 20 countries will be in Danville.
Editor's Note: As of Friday morning media outlets from 40 countries were confirmed to be at Centre College for the vice presidential debate.
Journalists from some of the world's largest news outlets like the BBC and Sky News in Great Britain, Xinhua from China, and both English and Arabic language Al Jazeera are coming. Strysick said there will also be media members from Spain, Portugal, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, India, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Egypt and Montenegro.
“We've been saying since the beginning the eyes of the world will be on Centre and Danville, and it is really turning out to be true,” Strysick said.
