LIN TV Launches Local Political Web Sites

Sites Offer Headline Feeds, Political Blogs, Candidate Profiles, Video

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/17/2008 2:10:00 PM

LIN TV launched local political Web sites in each of the 17 markets in which it has TV stations.

Bearing the state name and “politics” before a “.tv” suffix, such as Michiganpolitics.tv, the sites are envisioned as “a community hub and primary resource for news and in-depth coverage of local, regional and national political races,” according to LIN.

The Web sites offer headline feeds from a variety of media, political blogs, candidate profiles and video, among other things.

“It is our mission to be thelocal source of information, both on-air and online,” LIN Internet vice president Robb Richter said. “Our viewers can find national content on many Web sites, but our sites are unique in that they provide local, regional and national information from one trusted source.”

LIN executive VP Scott Blumenthal said the sites offer “more in-depth analysis and coverage of the different candidates and an opportunity for the candidates to promote their beliefs.” He added that LIN’s mission is to “keep the community as informed as they want to be.”

Station groups are eager to connect with viewers on the presidential election. E.W. Scripps Wednesday announced online salon RedBlueAmerica.com, which it called a “fully interactive forum for diverse political and cultural ideas and opinion.”