WMUR-TV Elevates Political Coverage

Topic: Politics and Election Coverage

Hearst Television’s Commitment 2012 will involve an intensified effort at the group’s 25 news-producing TV stations, and on their respective local websites and mobile sites, to provide comprehensive coverage of national, state and local election campaigns. Hearst Television owns the leading television stations in Des Moines, Iowa (KCCI-TV), a centerpiece of the January 3 Iowa Caucus and Manchester, N.H. (WMUR-TV), a focal point of the January 10 New Hampshire primary.

Commitment 2012’s“12 in 12” pledges a minimum 12 minutes’ airtime for daily political news and candidate-discourse per weekday and on weekends (when possible), in the 30 days prior to the primary and general elections. Each station will also produce a “Virtual Town Hall” in the 30 days leading up to the election.

As part of “Commitment 2012 Investigates,” award-winning reporters from the Hearst station group will produce a series of reports throughout the year examining the campaign money trail and other issues important to viewers. The Election App, due for launch in spring 2012, will include customizable content in each market to help voters make informed decisions on-the-go, yet another way Hearst stations are delivering a comprehensive “3-screen experience” for audiences.

“We will continue to urge major political candidates to appear on our television stations,” said David Barrett, president and CEO of Hearst Television Inc. “In return, we pledge to provide the most thoughtful, in-depth and responsible electronic news coverage of the political process in our markets. And we promise to do so in a way that effectively reaches voters of all demographics – on-air, online and on-the-go.”

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