A full slate of Democratic Convention coverage

Even though the traditional broadcast networks are offering limited prime-time coverage, television viewers who want to follow the Democratic National Convention starting today in Boston will have a wide array of choices.

Extensive live coverage will be offered on C-SPAN, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. The technologically adventurous can try out ABC’s new 24-hour election year news service, “ABC News Now,” which launches today on digital cable, broadband and wireless. Fox News Channel will present its regular schedule from the convention and will cover major speeches in prime time as breaking news. Shows will appear live 4-7 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 10 p.m., West Coast time.

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews is anchoring live coverage with NBC news correspondents and live updates from anchors every day starting at 3 p.m. KCET will air PBS’ “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” from 5-8 p.m. each evening followed by guest commentary with Tavis Smiley.

ABC, NBC, and CBS will each give the convention an hour Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in addition to broadcasting the network’s evening newscasts anchored by Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather from the convention. At 7 p.m. Wednesday the networks will cover the nominating process and vice-presidential nominee John Edwards’ acceptance speech; and at 7 p.m. on Thursday, they will cover presidential nominee John Kerry’s acceptance speech.

In addition, local reporters and analysts will also be providing coverage from the convention on regularly scheduled newscasts on KABC, KNBC, KCBS, KTLA and KCAL. On cable, Black Entertainment Television will be broadcasting nightly; the Spanish language Univision will also have a reporter at the convention.

For those who prefer faux news, “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” will originate from the convention nightly at 11 on Comedy Central. More coverage off the beaten track will be provided by MTV, ESPN and the History Channel. Celebrity watchers can see who’s who at the convention on “Entertainment Tonight!” at 8 p.m. on KCBS, and 11 p.m. on KCAL.