The floor of the 2020 Chicago Auto Show will serve as the backdrop for five different television specials that will shine bright lights on the nation’s largest auto show. WGN-TV will host a live television broadcast from the show’s black-tie charity preview event, First Look for Charity, on Friday, Feb. 7 from 7-8 p.m. and official show broadcast partner ABC 7 Chicago will produce a live TV special on opening day, Saturday, Feb. 8, from 6-7 p.m. CBS 2 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago are producing an opening weekend special for Sunday, Feb. 9 and Telemundo will also produce a “Best of the Chicago Auto Show” special on the show’s closing weekend, Sunday, Feb. 16. Additionally, NBC 5 Chicago will produce special event coverage throughout the day on the show’s opening Saturday.
“The Chicago Auto Show serves as the perfect venue for live television, enticing viewers with a wealth of eye candy including hot cars, cool activations, engaging displays and indoor test tracks,” said Chicago Auto Show Chairman Tony Guido. “We truly appreciate the support from these major Chicago networks to give viewers a taste of this spectacular event packed with special behind-the-scenes coverage and exclusive interviews.”
ABC 7 Chicago, the Chicago Auto Show’s official broadcast partner, will return with a special live broadcast originating from the show floor 6-7 p.m. on the show’s opening Saturday with rebroadcasts on both Sunday, Feb. 9 at midnight and Sunday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. The hour-long TV special will highlight the show’s brand-new vehicle introductions, test track and test-drive opportunities, brand-new displays, new technologies, interactive activities and the ways fans can get into the action via social media.
“This marks the sixth year ABC 7 will showcase the Chicago Automobile Trade Association’s Chicago Auto Show as the official broadcast partner,” said John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7 Chicago.
“The Chicago Auto Show is among the most impressive automotive events in the country and ABC 7’s live special puts viewers in the driver seat to preview stunning cars and the latest technology. ABC 7 is proud to shine a light on the new-car dealers who exemplify what it means to be good civic partners. Their efforts, raising more than $50 million for 18 local charities, have impacted the lives of so many people in and around Chicago.”
All of the TV specials are scheduled to re-air multiple times throughout the public days of the Chicago Auto Show, Feb. 8-17. The full schedule can be found here: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/news/tv-specials/.
The TV specials are an important part of the Chicago Auto Show’s industry-leading awareness level – one that regularly tops 90 percent. Chicago Auto Show organizers work hand-in-hand with each of the broadcast networks to provide 24-hour access to the show floor and assist in arranging interviews with key industry leaders.