HLN’s rebrand as the “new TV home for the social media generation” has begun, network President Albie Hecht announced today.
As our sister-site Lost Remote reports, the network’s social conversion will roll out throughout the year and will feature an all-in social storytelling strategy, curating news from across social platforms while highlighting the most trending and viral stories and the social users behind them.
“While others report on the conversation, HLN will be a part of it,” said @AlbieHechtHLN. “Just as MTV was adopted by a disconnected target audience that was underserved by television, HLN will be the first TV home to embrace the social media generation and champion its interests.”
“RightThisMinute” will be the first new show rolled out, premiering tonight at 10pmET. It will report on the most viral web videos and the back stories behind them before they go viral.
“Morning Express with Robin Meade,” “News Now,” Jane Velez-Mitchell, Nancy Grace, and “Dr. Drew On Call” will also be getting a social makeover.
The full press release after the jump.
HLN REBRANDS TO BECOME THE FIRST TV HOME FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA GENERATION
HLN To Redefine TV News & Information Driven by What’s Trending, Being Shared & Going Viral Across All Screens
HLN will reformat and rebrand in 2014 to become the first TV network for the social media generation (millennials and the millennial-minded), it was announced by Albie Hecht, executive vice president and general manager, HLN.
Taking a cue from today’s connected and wildly social generation, HLN will curate the news from across all platforms. Headlines will be ripped from the most “plugged-in” sites and blogs, and HLN will make it its mission to share the trending news, viral events and stories that have viewers most obsessed, plus discover emerging social stars.
“While others report on the conversation, HLN will be a part of it,” said @AlbieHechtHLN. “Just as MTV was adopted by a disconnected target audience that was underserved by television, HLN will be the first TV home to embrace the social media generation and champion its interests.”
HLN will add the TV component and a sense of humor to what consumers are searching, playing, sharing, shopping, creating and watching all day long, non-stop and in real time.
The first acquisition in the newly reformatted HLN is a customized version of the hit syndicated television show, RightThisMinute premiering Monday, February 10, and airing weeknights 10-11 p.m. ET. The program is the first daily broadcast series devoted to finding the most captivating web videos and the stories behind them as they break, often before going viral. RightThisMinute is produced by MagicDust Television and syndicated by MGM Domestic Television Distribution.
Additional programming genres fitting the social media filter, such as animation, reality, gaming and clip shows will continue to premiere throughout the year, as well as a fresh look and new hosts.
HLN’s new social media format will also become part of the DNA of Morning Express with Robin Meade (6 a.m.-12 noon, ET), News Now (12 noon -5 p.m., ET); Jane Velez-Mitchell (7-8 p.m. ET); Nancy Grace (8-9 p.m., ET) and Dr. Drew On Call (9-10 p.m., ET).