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Variety

NBC Offering Equal Time to Trump Rivals

Nov 20, 2015  •  Post A Comment

NBC is responding to requests for equal time in the wake of Donald Trump’s appearance on the Nov. 7 episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

Since we reported earlier this week that GOP presidential hopefuls John Kasich and Lindsey Graham had requested equal time, other candidates including George Pataki, Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilmore have reportedly submitted similar requests to the network or its affiliates.

“NBC is proposing giving free airtime to campaigns on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 after a number of Republican candidates requested it following Donald Trump’s hosting gig on ‘Saturday Night Live.'” Variety reports. “The network’s proposal is for each of the candidates who requested time to get a 12-minute slot between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday night and 12 minutes during the ‘Saturday Night Live’ time period on Saturday night, according to a source with one of the campaigns, who did not want to be identified because negotiations are ongoing.”

Trump reportedly appeared on camera for 12 minutes and 5 seconds during his “SNL” gig.

The NBC proposal was made to at least two campaigns, according to Variety’s source. The free time would reportedly air on 18 affiliates, with coverage areas including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

“The source said the reason for the offering of two time slots was to reach an audience that was comparable to the Trump appearance,” Variety reports, adding: “Campaigns are now mulling over the offer. No final decisions have been made as discussions continue with the campaigns.”

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