ABC, NBC, and CBS will not broadcast President Barack Obama‘s immigration speech tonight because it may affect the networks’ ratings, according to White House officials.
Obama is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. That time slot may bring in many viewers on the Spanish-language station Univision, who will be tuned in for the Latin Grammy Awards. Although prime time is sure to reach a large amount of its targeted audience, White House executives say the three major networks are likely to take issue with the scheduling.
White House administrators have not released an official statement on the matter, but have expressed that ABC, NBC, and CBS were not formally asked to air the President’s message because of assumptions that the networks would be unwilling, according to CNN.
The 8 p.m. time slot on these major stations are generally reserved for grabbing large audiences, as well as important advertisers, with new or popular shows.
One senior administration official pointed out that former President Georgia W. Bush‘s televised addressed on immigration eight years ago was picked up by all major networks, and his message was not as political and crucial as Obama’s is expected to be.
“In 2006, Bush gave a 17 minute speech that was televised by all three networks that was about deploying 6,000 National Auard troops to the border,” the official told POLITICO. “Obama is making a 10 minute speech that will have a vastly greater impact on the issue. And none of the networks are doing it.”
There are still many important outlets that have agreed to air the immigration speech. CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, PBS, and Telemundo will all air the address tonight.