Final answer:
National conventions have transformed from unpredictable events to highly orchestrated spectacles, leading to decreased media coverage by the late 1980s due to predictable outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significant change during the 1988 National Convention is not clearly stated in the supporting materials provided. However, it's evident that since the 1960s, national conventions have evolved drastically. Initially, they were unpredictable, with outcomes unknown until the convention.
Over time, conventions became more orchestrated, and media coverage decreased due to predictable outcomes and the rise of alternative media. By the 1988 convention, these events had started to become media-driven spectacles with increased choreography and less substantial coverage from major news outlets.
This shift underscores the changing nature of political communication and the increasing influence of media-driven narratives in shaping public perceptions of these pivotal events in the democratic process. The conventions, once unpredictable and central to decision-making, became more about presentation and media appeal.