However, if Sen. John McCain chooses Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as his running mate, TV One would at least provide a live broadcast of her acceptance speech, added Rodgers.
But Hunt believes it's a mistake for the black channels to ignore the Republican National Convention, which has low support from most blacks.
"They should be covering all conventions," he said. "There hasn't been the type of investment in collecting news about the state of black America that would balance and complement the news that comes from more mainstream outlets. And given the role the RNC has played in the problems of this country, I would think those networks would want to be there."
The black networks, however, need ratings, and they are unlikely to be garnered with expansive coverage of the Republican convention, say executives. Obama, in some Democratic primaries earlier this year, was winning well over 80% of the African American vote, and those same voters hunger for news about the Illinois senator, they said.
"During the debate season, I would look at my ratings for those nights and they were lower, while CNN's and MSNBC's were higher," said Rodgers. "It was clear my viewers were looking for information and for a place to talk about what is happening."
While juggling duties for several media outlets, including CNN, Roland Martin, who will be TV One's chief political analyst, defended his network's decision to report just from the Democratic convention.
"People have to remember that TV One is not a news network," he said. "They cannot go to a convention like this and cover it like a news story. If people are looking for a news element, they should go to CNN. I wonder if Rush Limbaugh will be broadcasting from the DNC. I think not. You have to analyze who you are."
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