3 networks cut off President Bush before end of his news conference - News | canada.com network

News | canada.com network:

"Three of the country's four biggest broadcasters gave the president a quick hook, however, by cutting away to entertainment programming before his session was finished. The White House moved the news conference from 8:30 p.m. EDT to 8 p.m. after realizing that CBS, Fox and likely NBC would not air it live. ABC said all along it would cover the president fully.

The White House tried to be accommodating when it realized it had left the networks in a bind on the first night of the May 'sweeps,' when ratings are closely watched to set local advertising rates, said White House press secretary Scott McClellan."