In preparing election debate offerings for the public, the news departments of six local television stations in New York State--the ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates in Syracuse, the CBS and ABC affiliates in Buffalo, and the ABC affiliate in Rochester--were often more concerned with format decisions, hinging on "what will fit" within a prescribed length of time, rather than in determining the content and budgeting for the appropriate length of time needed to present that content. Most stations preferred live debate, the selection of the panel of questions varied, and all stations except one presented 60-minute programs with live audiences. Some stations included third party sponsorships, such as the League of Women Voters, and usually limited local election debates to those races which generated significant local interest, such as hotly contested races, or serious challenges to an incumbent. Minor party candidates were rarely included in the debates, unless they appeared to have a chance of winning. The debate schedules of 1987 for these stations were similar to the schedules of 1986, paying heed to the need to get out information to the public while at the same time recognizing the "glitz factor" in producing an interesting product. (Seven footnotes are appended.) (MM)