Sen Sanders is getting more time on TV news

Early in the presidential campaign, television news outlets largely ignored Sen Bernie Sanders (I-VT), instead focusing on his rival for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton. His supporters saw this disparate treatment as just more evidence of systematic bias in the media -- especially when compared with the attention broadcast and cable anchors have lavished on Republican Donald Trump. Since the beginning of the year, however, Sen Sanders and Clinton have received nearly equal time on television, although Clinton still retains a slight advantage.

The media's attention to Sen Sanders came suddenly, after months in which Sanders's poll numbers had been gradually improving. The polling and the attention from the media feed into each other. Political scientists argue that attention from the media is one of the most important factors driving candidates' poll numbers. At the same time, if Sanders's numbers keep improving the Democratic race will get more interesting. The contest has long been considered a lock for Clinton, but viewers might pay more attention to it if the outcome is in doubt. In that case, stations would cover the race more closely.