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12 News Dedicates 12 Minutes Daily in Month Prior to Primary and Election; Launches a New Election App and “Commitment 2012 Investigates” Series; Plus “UPFRONT” Specials
MILWAUKEE, (January 3, 2012) – WISN 12 and its parent company, Hearst Television Inc., will once again devote significant resources to news coverage of the political process, through a project called Commitment 2012. The project marks a renewal of the Company’s biannual election-coverage efforts, which began with Commitment 2000 and which have earned a Peabody Award and multiple USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Awards, including six group-wide honors. WISN 12’s “UPFRONT Town Hall Challenge” received a special commendation by judges of the Walter Cronkite Awards in March 2010.
“Our viewers have asked us for political reporting that provides them a deeper understanding of the big picture and we are listening,” says Jan Wade, president and general manager at WISN 12. “This pledge is an extension of our everyday commitment to lead the way with important local coverage.
We have an unparalleled team of political journalists led by Mike Gousha and Kent Wainscott,” Wade adds. “Mike’s access to the candidates and ability to reach beyond campaign rhetoric is an asset to the station and our viewers. Combined with Kent’s years of experience and in-depth reporting, we are proud to bring voters the best political coverage in the region. Our journalism will ensure viewers get the whole story and our new technology will make this information even more accessible.”
Hearst Television owns the leading television stations in Des Moines, Iowa (KCCI-TV), where WISN’s Kent Wainscott is currently on assignment, and in Manchester, New Hampshire (WMUR-TV) — the two markets where the 2012 presidential campaign begins with the Iowa caucuses, today, and the New Hampshire primary on Jan.10.
Commitment 2012 will involve an intensified effort at Hearst’s 25 news-producing TV stations, including WISN 12, to provide comprehensive local TV news coverage of national, state and local election campaigns on-air, online and via mobile devices.
A cornerstone feature of Commitment 2012 will be “12 in 12” – a pledge by WISN 12 and Hearst stations group-wide of a minimum 12 minutes’ airtime for daily political news and candidate-discourse coverage per weekday and, where possible, on weekends, in the 30 days leading up to the Wisconsin U.S. Senate primary on Aug. 14 and the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. This represents a 20 percent increase – or some 25 additional hours for a total of 150 hours group-wide over the 30-day period – from the 10 minutes daily which Hearst first pledged in 2006. In addition, each station will produce a “Virtual Town Hall” or discussion in the 30 days leading up to the election.
Hearst Television’s prior biennial “Commitment” projects have featured“Town Hall Meetings,” debates, and “AdWatch,” “Issue Check” and “Truth Check” segments. For Commitment 2012, WISN 12 will introduce features, including:
* “Commitment 2012 Investigates,” a content initiative bringing together award-winning reporters from the Hearst station group, producing a series of reports throughout the year examining the campaign money trail and other issues important to viewers;
* An Election App, due for launch in spring 2012, with information and content customizable by market to help voters make informed decisions on-the-go, including a Presidential Countdown Clock to Nov. 6, a local election guide and local and national stories, slideshows and video – all part of an effort to deliver a comprehensive “3-screen experience” for audiences; and
* A primetime “UPFRONT” news special hosted by Mike Gousha in the first quarter. WISN 12 will continue its strong partnership with WisPolitics.com and its statewide affiliates to present periodic Town Hall Meetings and debates leading up to the primary and general election. Gousha also moderated the statewide, award-winning gubernatorial and senate debates in 2010.
Hearst recently earned its sixth consecutive group-wide USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism, in recognition of its “Commitment 2010” coverage of the 2010 election season. The Cronkite Awards, named for the legendary CBS newsman, were established at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication following the 2000 election season to recognize excellence in television coverage of politics and political issues, quickly becoming the industry’s most recognized honor in the field. They have been issued six times – following the 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 election seasons. The Hearst station group has received the Cronkite for the Station Group category each time; its six consecutive honors surpass the total of Cronkite Awards to any other single entity in any category during the life of the awards. Hearst stations WCVB-TV, Boston; WESH-TV, Orlando; WBAL-TV, Baltimore; WISN 12, Milwaukee; and WGAL-TV, Lancaster-Harrisburg, also have been honored individually with Cronkites.
Hearst also earned a Peabody Award in 2009 for its group-wide coverage of the 2008 elections – marking Hearst’s fifth Peabody in seven years.
“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.”
WISN 12, the ABC station in Milwaukee, is owned by Hearst Television Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. Hearst owns 29 television stations and two radio stations in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18 percent of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. It also owns more than three dozen websites and multicasts more than two dozen digital channels providing news, weather and entertainment programming. The Company’s Web address is http://www.hearsttelevision.com. WISN 12’s Web address is http://www.wisn.com.
About Hearst Television
Hearst Television, a national multi-media company, owns and operates 29 local television stations and two local radio stations, serving 30 U.S. cities and reaching approximately 18% of U.S. television households. The TV stations broadcast 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming, and local community service-oriented programs. The stations also host and operate digital on-line and mobile platforms that extend the company’s brands and content to local, national and international audiences. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies, and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. The Company’s Web address ishttp://www.hearsttelevision.com.
