WRAL-TV To Expand Election Coverage With NewsChannel

WRAL-TV has devised a unique game plan for coverage of the November 6 general election, utilizing all of the resources the station has developed. For the first time WRAL-TV will air a half-hour special election newscast on the WRAL NewsChannel at 9pm.

WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree will anchor the special NewsChannel coverage, with full support of news crews in the field. WRAL-TV aims to have most of the returns in on the major races by 9pm, with special attention paid to the big mayors' races in Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville.

"This is another example of the flexibility of DTV, since we'll be multicasting the CBS primetime HD programs on Channel 53.1 while we provide this election coverage on 53.2. Channel 5 will have CBS programs on it, but will include vote totals across the bottom of the screen," said WRAL-TV Director of Special Projects & Programming John Harris. "This way we can offer something for everyone--favorite CBS programs, vote totals, and an election special on the NewsChannel. Full service! " The WRAL NewsChannel is also available on Time Warner Cable's digital channel 256.

WRAL will also have full vote totals and stories throughout the night on WRAL.com.