Twitter’s push for live-streaming video content has its sights set beyond the sports world. This morning, the microblogging platform announced that it had inked a pact with CBS News to stream CBSN’s coverage of both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions live on Twitter. (CBSN is a 24-hour digital streaming news service, launched by CBS News in 2014, which is currently available on CBSNews.com, the CBS News app, and connected TV devices).
The announcement arrives amid a serious push by Twitter for must-see streaming video content, including a deal with the NFL to stream 10 Thursday Night Football games this fall. Reports have also surfaced that the company is in discussions with the NBA, MLS, and cable network Turner about airing more sports-related live streams. While Twitter is reported to have paid the NFL $10 million for streaming rights, the terms of its deal with CBS News were not disclosed.
“Twitter is the fastest way to find out what’s happening in politics and to have a discussion about it,” said CFO Anthony Noto in a statement. The live stream, he added will give “people around the world the best way to experience democracy in action.” Added CBS News president David Rhodes: “We are very pleased that [our] reporting will be so prominently featured on Twitter’s live platform.”
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CBSN’s convention coverage will be “gavel to gavel,” according to a release, and will be anchored by reporters Josh Elliott, Elaine Quijano, and Vladimir Duthiers. The stream will reportedly be “enhanced with live, convention-related Tweets.” CBS and Twitter previously partnered during two debates earlier this election cycle, with real-time metrics and curated Tweets courtesy of Twitter, as well as live questions culled from voters via Twitter that were then asked to candidates.
The Republican National Convention kicks off next Monday in Cleveland, while the Democratic National Convention begins on July 25 in Philadelphia.
