But it's quickly becoming the second-biggest annual event for television news, not the biggest.

The yearly convention that is becoming the de facto launching pad for television news and media presentations is Comic Con in San Diego, the gigantic geek event that draws some 120,000 fans from across the world. It takes place July 24-27.

At one time, it was the event for news about genre series like "Lost" or "Battlestar Galactica," but it's now the place to hear updates about other series, like the CBS sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," or dramas "Prison Break" or "Bones," all of which are going to have sessions this year with their casts, according to the trade publication TVWeek.

Last year alone, the convention was the place for more than 100 television-related announcements. It's also become the biggest event of the year for movie announcements with such big-ticket items as the new "Indiana Jones" movie and every superhero blockbuster in the making.

Two years ago, ABC President Stephen McPherson riled critics to no end when he let slip there was a top-secret "Lost" announcement that he was reserving for Comic Con and not us (it turned out it was just that actor Harold Perrineau was returning). The critics were so offended, they pressured and prodded McPherson to give up that tidbit of news to them a day early instead of at Comic Con. It was the first time I ever felt sorry for a network executive.

But I can understand television's new love affair with the comic book convention and its willingness to publicize new fall programming there.

It's for the fans, not critics.

It's an opportunity for diehard viewers to connect with the casts and producers of their favorite series, an occasion for the creators to give back to fans for their loyal support. Science fiction, fantasy and horror series have been draws there for years. Now that there is even more genre programming, thanks to the success of "Lost" and "Galactica," Comic Con is flooded with TV to talk about. This year, according to TVWeek, far-out shows like "Pushing Daisies," "Supernatural," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," and new genre offerings like "Life on Mars," Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse" and J.J. Abrams' "Fringe" are all hosting sessions at Comic Con.

And one of the most anticipated meetings will yield new information about the upcoming third season of "Heroes."

Television critics will get their fair share of time with the casts and creators of this fall's shows a week before Comic Con starts. But speaking as one of those grumpy, sometimes whiny, old-school critics who should have hurt feelings because networks are saving some news for Comic Con, I'm OK with that.

After all, television is for everyone. And to have a place where fans can come and connect with the television industry without a conduit of professional journalists to translate the news is a welcome way of saying "thank you" to viewers.

VINCE HORIUCHI'S column appears Mondays and Fridays. He can be reached at vince@sltrib.com or 801-257-8607. Send comments about this column to livingeditor@sltrib.com.