The CNN Grill, the Cable News Network’s practice of taking over a local restaurant and producing live TV show segments from it, continues at both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention.
For the RNC, the venue is a not a restaurant but the first floor of a parking structure alongside the Tampa Bay Times Forum. But for the DNC, it’s actually a restaurant: Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina in the EpiCentre.
My question is will I be able to get in. CNN has generally not had the habit of taking care of iReporters, and let’s face it, I’ve concentrated more on creating monetizable content. CNN has stopped featuring iReporters on television to the extent that was done in 2007 and 2008.
But I did contribute a ton, and of all iReporters, I’ll bet I’m the only returning one with a press credential.
Other than CNN, Susan Stabley, the Staff Writer for the Charlotte Business Journal reports that The EpiCenter’s BlackFinn American Saloon will have MSNBC’s Morning Joe telecasts from 6 AM to 9 AM each day during the DNC. And the Myrtle Beach Chamber and the Black Congressional Caucus will host events there as well.
The Huffington Post has taken over Flex + Fit Heath Club to host The Oasis, a kind of “spa like” place for Huffington Post bloggers and guests. It’s by invitation only. Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends will be broadcasting from the the NASCAR Hall of Fame during the DNC.
Stay tuned.