LIVE COVERAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTIONS

- Ted Koppel joins the newscast as contributing analyst in Denver -

BBC World News America continues its in-depth coverage of the historic 2008 presidential election race with live broadcasts from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in Denver and Minneapolis � Saint Paul.

Anchored by Matt Frei and featuring in-depth reports from Washington Correspondent Katty Kay, each weeknight the programs will air live at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. PT on BBC AMERICA and BBC World News cable channels.

Live coverage of the Democratic National Convention will come from the floor of the Convention hall in Denver from Monday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 27. And on Thursday, August 28 the newscast will be live at Denver's Mile High stadium for Barack Obama's nomination acceptance speech.

From Monday, September 1 to Thursday, September 4 BBC World News America travels to Saint Paul to bring live news and analysis from the Republican National Convention including John McCain's nomination acceptance speech.

Joining BBC World News America in Denver is veteran newsman Ted Koppel, who recently joined the program as a contributing analyst. Koppel will offer a bigger picture overview of news and events plus a special featured report.

And providing expert analysis at the Republican National Convention, Time magazine's Mike Duffy joins Matt Frei and Katty Kay to discuss the major talking points each day from Minneapolis � Saint Paul.

As well as all the news and events, the programs will include special political features and interviews as well as the program's signature first person films that go behind the headlines to provide context and perspective on the major issues and stories dominating the conventions.

In addition to news and analysis from the conferences, BBC World News America will continue to deliver headlines and in-depth reports on major international and domestic news from BBC correspondents around the world.

Executive Producer Rome Hartman comments: "As always, BBC World News America will deliver political coverage with a difference; sharp and insightful reporting and analysis... always impartial, but never dull or wonky. Matt, Katty, Ted and Mike all know the story inside out, but also know how to tell it from the outside in."

Further coverage of the conventions will be available at bbc.com/worldnewsamerica.