Hearst Television has announced an expansion of its political coverage going into the 2014 election cycle. Under the “Commitment 2014” banner, the 28 Hearst stations will give politics a minimum of 12 minutes in the 30 days leading up to the general election and some primaries.
“Audiences demand intelligent, in-depth coverage of politics and elections in their local communities, and broadcasters are investing in new ways to meet that demand, ” Hearst Television president Jordan Wertlieb said in a statement. “We want Hearst Television to be the most widely distributed provider of political news content in their markets, and we will generate content to the best available screen.”
The biennial pledge is a renewal of a policy Hearst first instituted in 2000, when the station group committed to five minutes of nightly airtime. In addition to renewing a partnership with PolitiFact, Hearst will also launch “In Their Own Words,” a feature allowing candidates to record video statements on issues that will be available online and on mobile devices.