BuzzFeed News and Twitter partner on US election coverage

BuzzFeed News is partnering with Twitter to stream a US election night special broadcast live from BuzzFeed’s New York City offices.

The companies said they aim to provide “an alternative approach to coverage for a next-generation, highly engaged audience”, with the feed to be available exclusively on Twitter.

 “At a time when so much political coverage amounts to reading Tweets aloud, we’re excited to add original reporting and analysis inside Twitter,” said BuzzFeed editor-in-chief, Ben Smith.

Anthony Noto, Twitter’s chief financial officer said: “Our partnership with BuzzFeed News will give voters – especially our younger audience – a smart, fresh broadcast with live breaking news and election analysis right on Twitter.”

Bruce Perlmutter – a TV veteran who has overseen events including The Royal Wedding, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and has worked for broadcasters including CNN, MSNBC, and E! Networks – will executive produce the special.

The stream will include ad packages with TV style mid-roll ad spots combined with original clips produced by BuzzFeed that advertisers can sponsor and promote on Twitter.

Twitter claims that its livestream of the second presidential debate, broadcast on Sunday, night reached 3.2 million unique viewers – an increase of 30% over the first presidential debate. It also said that the debate was the most Tweeted ever, with more than 17 million debate-related Tweets sent.