The Recount Wants to Build a 'More Inclusive Future for News'

The Recount, a three-year-old digital news organization founded by longtime journalists John Battelle and John Heilemann, presented its streaming video content plans to advertisers during its virtual NewFronts presentation Thursday afternoon. Its pitch was bold: "The news is broken, but you knew that," proclaimed Grace Weinstein, host of The Recount's Snapchat show WTF America. The highlight of the brand's presentation was its new daily live news show Recount Live, streaming on the digital gaming platform Twitch weekdays at 4 p.m. ET. The program is co-hosted by former Vox correspondent and MSNBC columnist Liz Plank, and former CBS News executive producer Mosheh Oinounou. The show is a mix of Oinounou and Plank presenting the news and audience interaction from live chats between the hosts, show producers and viewers to discuss stories of the day in real time. Viewers can choose what topics they want the hosts to discuss, and because it's on Twitch, viewers can hop in the chat and let hosts and producers know when they want to move on. Topics mirror those of a traditional newscast, covering politics, culture, sports, business, entertainment and tech. "The most important producer on our show is you," says Plank. Both Plank and Oinounou have substantial social media followings. Oinounou has a widely viewed weekly live news show on Instagram, and Plank is a frequent cable news contributor who interviews high-profile figures for her social media accounts. "One thing that I've always tried to embrace when it comes to news and technology is to go to viewers where they are," said Oinoinou. "And so it's really exciting to be one of the first movers on this platform." The buzz about Chatterbrain The Recount is expanding its Twitch presence with a news game show named Chatterbrain. It's a clever idea where hosts, including The Recount EIC Slade Sohmer and video producer Molly Rubin, pick three contestants to face off against each other (and "the chat") to test their knowledge of news and current events. "We built the show, and now we're trying to build the show for brands to be a part of it," says Sohmer. "And not just to run the ads. We want to weave it into the fabric of the show, so that the audience sees it as natural, authentic and it works in a way that the audience can appreciate." This is a time of transition for The Recount. The brand's chief content officer Ryan Kadro left his role just last week, and more staff cuts are reportedly imminent as The Recount tries to focus more on lower-budget streaming efforts and fortify its leadership team as it looks to raise more money. The brand raised $18 million in a series B funding round led by Foundry Group last year, after a $13 million series A funding round in 2020, and undoubtedly is looking for more dollars at today's NewFront presentation. Despite these changes, The Recount is focused on changing the game by making the news more interactive. Needless to say, it wants advertisers to come along for the ride. "Our core mission is to reacquaint ourselves as journalists and you as viewers with the truth. Whether it's tapping into a Snapchat show, WTF America, sponsoring our daily newsletter or weaving your brand into the fabric of our new Twitch livestream, you are key to this mission," said Weinstein. "Building a more active, more informed, more inclusive future for news. The future can be bright, we just have to flip the switch together."