With traditional news media following trends that some might consider predictable (even with breaking stories), Vice News is looking to break down the wall with new creative means for live programming.
The channel has announced a deal with Skype to use the online messaging service, owned by Microsoft, for live streaming broadcasts on its YouTube channel. As a result, it’ll be able to create live scheduled shows that interact with the audience, while delivering breaking news as it happens. This will mark the first time in the company’s seven-month history that live programming will be considered.
“We’re in development on multiple formats that we’re going to be programming on a regular schedule,” said Vice News General Manager Sterling Proffer. “What I can say right now is it’s definitely going to involve ways to break down the fourth wall and invite the audience into the conversation to bring them closer to the stories we’re covering and give them more access to the people who make it happen.”
As part of the deal, Skype will be paying Vice News to utilize its technology, although price terms weren’t provided at the time of report.
Vice News has already picked up a huge audience since its inception earlier this year, with over 950,000 subscribers on YouTube, who tune in to watch the channel’s docu-series and live streams. Its ratings have really picked up as of late with its coverage of the Ferguson protests, as well as overseas events, like the riots in Hong Kong.
Although the format of the live shows haven’t been revealed yet, a reporter speaking to a live audience is being considered, along with a debate-style talk show featuring various guests from around the country.
“From a technical standpoint, they have a really sophisticated back-end live production suite that will allow us to have our boots on the ground around the world to contribute and be able to bring audiences into that conversation live with a capacity that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible without diving into crazy control rooms,” Mr. Proffer said.
What do you think Is this a smart move for Vice News as it introduces more live programming
Source: Adage
