Channel 7 Announces Programming Plans For 2002 North American International Auto Show

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 21 -- WXYZ-TV/Channel 7, the official television sponsor of the 2002 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced its expanded local programming lineup:

``2002 NAIAS PRIME TIME PREVIEW,'' a half-hour prime time special airing Wednesday, December 26, 9:30 p.m. Hosted by WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 news anchors Guy Gordon and Frank Turner, and news reporter Mary Conway, the special will highlight the magnitude of the 2002 Detroit show with a special focus on new car introductions, concept cars, Auto Show exhibits and innovative technologies.

``2002 NAIAS SNEAK PEEKS,'' a series of four programs airing Press Week, January 6th - 9th. Hosted by Guy Gordon and Mary Conway, with features from Action News reporters, the programs focus on the day's new car introductions, behind-the-scenes news of the day, newsmaker interviews and in-depth features. Sneak Peeks will air Sunday, January 6th, 11:30 p.m. - 12 midnight, Monday, January 7th, 8 - 9 p.m., Tuesday, January 8th, 11:35 p.m. to 12:05 a.m. and Wednesday, January 9th, 11:35 p.m. to 12:05 a.m.

``2002 NAIAS CHARITY PREVIEW,'' a two-hour special airing live from Cobo Center Friday, January 11, 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Guy Gordon and Diana Lewis, the program will include live coverage from the floor of Cobo Center, newsmaker interviews, entertaining features and special appearances by celebrity guest stars. WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 news anchors Frank Turner, Robbie Timmons and JoAnne Purtan, Sports Director Don Shane, Meteorologists Jerry Hodak and Kim Adams, as well as reporters Mary Conway, Val Clark, Christy McDonald, Heather Catallo and Sandy Heng will join Gordon and Lewis for the star-studded event, which is scheduled to be broadcast statewide.

``SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEWS: 2002 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW,'' an hour-long special edition of the WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 public affairs program airing on Sunday, January 13, 12:30 p.m. Hosted by Editorial and Public Affairs Director Chuck Stokes, this local version of ``Meet the Press'' will feature interviews and a panel discussion with influential auto executives and leaders in the media who cover the automotive industry.

Information on WXYZ-TV/Channel 7's Auto Show programming and news coverage can be accessed on the Internet via the station's website at www.detnow.com . The website will feature live internet-controllable cameras and real-time video images from the floor of the show throughout the public show dates.

The website will also feature daily press conferences and new car introductions, WXYZ-TV/Channel 7's schedule of programming and news coverage, live coverage of the ``Sneak Peeks'' and ``Charity Preview'' specials, maps of the Auto Show floor plan and parking and general information on show hours and tickets.

2002 marks WXYZ-TV/Channel 7's sixth year as the official television sponsor of the North American International Auto Show. Since the partnership began, the North American International Auto Show has set all-time high attendance records and has garnered the highest television rating in the history of the Charity Preview.

The E.W. Scripps Company operates 20 daily newspapers; 10 broadcast television stations; three TV networks, Home & Garden Television, Food Network and Do It Yourself; and a TV programmer, Scripps Productions. The company also operates United Media, a worldwide syndicator and licensor of news features and comics, and the Scripps Howard News Service. Scripps operates 31 revenue-producing Web sites, including hgtv.com, foodtv.com, diynet.com and comics.com.