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ETV Airs Extensive Slate of Political Programming

“The Big Picture” Jumpstarts the Coverage Beginning Thursday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

For Immediate Release
December 20, 2007

Columbia, SC...ETV kicks off the New Year with an extensive slate of political programs that signal the start of the 2008 Election Season. From presidential debates and primaries to weekly coverage of the General Assembly’s next session, ETV keeps viewers abreast of what’s happening in politics in the Palmetto State and beyond.

The Big Picture, brings its politically savvy approach to the latest local and national breaking news. The program, which usually airs every Thursday at 7:30 p.m., will deviate from the norm with several special editions to give viewers the complete coverage they need before heading to the polls.

Below is The Big Picture schedule of programs:

• Thursday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m., The Big Picture: Campaign 2008. From Mitt Romney's first SC appearance at a Lizard's Thicket in January, to the Obama/Oprah rally at Williams Brice Stadium this December, The Big Picture looks back at the presidential hopefuls' courting of South Carolinians--and where the candidates stand now with Palmetto State voters.

• Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. - The Big Picture: Wilkins/Mulroney. This special mid-week broadcast features former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and current Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins as they sit down with Gobeil to discuss South Carolina’s relationship with America's ally, closest trading partner, and neighbor to the north.

• Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. - The Big Picture: Republican Debate Preview is a spirited discussion of the upcoming debate in Myrtle Beach, as the candidates face-off one last time before the primary elections. Immediately following, Gobeil will ask his own questions of the candidates.

• Monday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. - The Big Picture: Democratic Debate Preview, broadcasting live from the spin room in Myrtle Beach, sets the stage for the Democrats’ last appeal to voters.  Immediately following, Host Andrew Gobeil is front-and-center with the candidates and political experts for the post-debate analysis.

• Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. - The Big Picture State of the State Special features a special round table discussion with the state's top political leaders. Topics of discussion will include the Governor's State of the State address and top priorities in this year's legislative session.

• Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. - The Big Picture Campaign Wrap-Up is the big finish, with detailed analysis of the Presidential primary results complete with interviews with candidates and commentary from local political experts.

Primary Coverage

• Saturday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. - LIVE Republican Primary Coverage. This broadcast follows the Republican Primary election results as they pour in. With complete, up-to-the-minute numbers, the show includes analysis from Brad Warthen, editorial page editor of The State newspaper as well as political analysts from all over the state.

• Saturday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. - LIVE Democratic Primary Coverage. Once again, ETV brings up-to-the-minute reports on the Democratic Primary election from across the state.  The broadcast breaks down the results and includes commentary from political science and African American studies professor Adolphus Belk of Winthrop University.  Belk helped shape the questions for last September’s groundbreaking Winthrop/ETV poll of South Carolina’s African Americans.  Interviews with the candidates and political experts round out the evening’s analysis.

Project Discovery

• Ready to Vote - Airing in conjunction with the Republican and Democratic debates in Myrtle Beach, and geared toward younger viewers, this interactive call-in show encourages South Carolina students to get involved in Campaign 2008.  The program provides a means through which they can talk with political experts about the Republican and Democratic debates, the upcoming elections and the impact of the electoral process on the Palmetto State’s youth.  Air dates and times for these special broadcasts are:

• Thursday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m.

State House Week

ETV's weekly recap of the happenings in the S.C. Legislature includes news items as well as highlights from This Week in the House with Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell and This Week in the Senate with President Pro Tem of the Senate Glenn McConnell.

The series airs Thursdays at 7 p.m. with encore broadcasts Sundays at noon.

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

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For more information, contact Rob Schaller at (803) 737-6556 or rschaller@scetv.org.