Facebook, Twitter Facing Off During Presidential Debate
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Monday night's presidential debate won't just be talked about online. It can also be watched on two major social networks.
Facebook and Twitter have each partnered with news organizations to live-stream the debates on their respective platforms, adding a new layer to the multi-screen experience.
Temple communications professor Paul Gluck says these deals benefit the consumer the most:
"In addition to being spectators they can be participants. When you're watching it on television and tweeting about it or discussing it on Facebook it gives you the opportunity to feel as though you were part of the process."
More than 67 million viewers watched the first debate on TV in 2012 between President Obama and Mitt Romney. It was also the most tweeted event in political history with a record setting ten million tweets.
"In so many ways the notion of a multi-screen universe has found its place in the political process," says Gluck. "There are people who will be very happy to watch it on television while they express their opinion on social media."
Both Facebook and Twitter are hoping that live video will convince users to not only visit the platforms more often, but stay longer.
Snapchat will also cover each debate on-site through "Live Story" allowing viewers to take in the experience from different perspectives like the students from debate host universities, volunteers, and media outlets.
Not to be left out, Instagram has partnered with CBSN, CBS News' 24/7 streaming news service, to feature curated Instagram stories in its live coverage of the debates.
