KIRO 7 Eyewitness News has announced a new level of viewer engagement by introducing special programming during March Madness coverage that will mix traditional TV news with online livestream broadcasts and social media. KIRO-TV anchor and social media enthusiast, Jenni Hogan, will host the show Connect with Jenni Hogan, discussing topics aimed at inspiring and educating viewers about the benefits of connecting online.
Throughout the 22nd of March, viewers will be able to log onto www.kirotv.com at 10:00 p.m. to capture raw moments and extensive interviews with guests as they prepare to go on live TV at 10:30 p.m. on KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.
“We decided to bring this opportunity to our viewers because we are excited about being on the forefront of new ways to interact with the community and provide them with accurate and impactful information and resources delivered to them in the best way possible,” said Todd Mokhtari, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Web Manager. “Viewers now have the opportunity to engage with newscasts in real time, and can truly impact the direction the show goes by sharing what they’re most interested in, asking questions, or making comments.”
KIRO 7’s Traffic Anchor, Jenni Hogan, was recently recognized as the ‘most followed local female TV anchor in the nation’ on Twitter, and currently has more than 120,000 Twitter and Facebook followers. Hogan is passionate about sharing with viewers the opportunities and resources that social media can provide. She will focus on topics aimed to inspire viewers to improve their lives and those around them through the power of connecting online.
The show will begin online with a livestream conversation, and then move to primetime TV. The audience will be encouraged to interact online throughout the primetime segment by following hash tag #KIROConnect on Twitter, helping to create what the next generation of combined television and social media will provide. The show will also highlight:
- Top Apps that can help save time and money;
- Ways to use technology to improve your life;
- Local celebrities and how they interact with their online communities; and
- The faces behind the online voices of your favorite brands.
Featured guests:
Josie Bissett, starred on Melrose Place
Ben Huh, CEO of Cheezburger
Blake Cahill, President of Banyan Branch
Porter Gale, Chief Evangelist of Kred
James Sun CEO of Pirq and former contestant on The Apprentice
Jean-Sun Hannah Ahn, Miss Seattle 2012.
“This is a show that can’t be done without the viewers and I’m excited to have them join us,” said Jenni Hogan. “They will be as much of a host as I am, adding their comments and helping to shape the direction as we explore the best ways to connect with each other during live broadcasts, using tools such as our mobile devices and laptops.”
Publisher’s Note: I’m so happy for Jenni Hogan and hope that this turns out to be a very successful and weekly show. You can join our Future of Network TV in Social Media Spreecast on Thursday morning at 10am PDT to hear more about the show and to contribute your opinion about the future interaction of television and social media – and potentially be invited to be part of the Live Spreecast.