ABC News and Facebook today announced a partnership for live coverage of the 2016 general election debates, expanding the relationship established during the 2016 conventions that resulted in more than 28 million video views across ABC News’ Facebook pages.
Throughout each debate day, ABC News’ curated Facebook feed will offer live streams from around the debate host cities, inside the spin room and from watch parties across the country, as well as feature commentary from anchors and correspondents at ABC News headquarters in New York. ABC News will incorporate viewers’ comments, questions and conversations in the Facebook Live coverage.
ABC News contributors Matthew Dowd and LZ Granderson will kick off the evening coverage of each debate on Facebook Live with original series “Strait Talk” at 7:00 p.m. EDT, followed by anchored coverage from “Nightline” co-anchor Dan Harris, Digital Host Amna Nawaz and Granderson through the completion of the debate.
“Given the tremendous viewership we saw across the ABC News Facebook pages throughout the conventions, we’re thrilled to continue the partnership and bring ABC News’ wide-ranging live coverage direct to users’ News Feeds for the debates,” said Colby Smith, vice president of Digital, ABC News. “As we move further into the election cycle, there continues to be a voracious appetite for live content, and we know many users turn to Facebook to engage and participate in the conversation.”
“We’re excited that ABC News will continue to bring people on Facebook the full breadth of what is happening, in real-time on the ground during these important moments in the election cycle,” said Andy Mitchell, director of News and Global Media Partnerships, Facebook. “With their robust Facebook Live coverage plans and deep bench of political journalists, ABC News will help facilitate an open dialogue among voters and create an engaging and immersive experience from each debate.”