A new service called Swing State Election News has been launched to help fans of politics keep track of what’s happening in the most competitive states in the country. The service collects and streams local newscasts from 37 local television stations in swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states are considered crucial in deciding the outcome of the presidential contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The service aims to give viewers a closer look at how the campaigns are being waged in these key battlegrounds.
Swing State Election News is an outgrowth of Zeam, a free streaming service affiliated with Gray Television that launched last winter. Zeam caters to viewers who have given up cable or satellite television subscriptions by offering hundreds of local market broadcasts. The new service allows users to choose between live programming or archived newscasts from local stations in swing states. This gives viewers the opportunity to follow the developments in these key states closely and see how the campaigns are being conducted on the ground.
As the campaign progresses, Swing State Election News will provide viewers with a window into rallies and other events held in the swing states. The service will also cover details of local House and Senate races that may impact the control of those chambers. The goal is to offer a different perspective from national newscasts by highlighting the viewpoints and concerns of people living in these communities. This localized approach aims to give viewers a more nuanced understanding of the political landscape in the swing states.
While local newscasts in swing states typically feature political commercials for the presidential candidates, Swing State Election News will not show these ads. The service sells its own advertising and does not display local political ads seen during commercial breaks on local stations. This decision sets Swing State Election News apart from traditional local newscasts but allows the service to maintain control over the content shown to viewers. By focusing on providing news and analysis from the swing states, the service aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the political developments leading up to the presidential election.
In an effort to support election news coverage in swing states, The Associated Press announced last month that it would offer its campaign coverage to small, independent news organizations that may not otherwise afford it. This initiative is part of a broader push to enhance coverage of the presidential campaign in crucial battleground states. By collaborating with independent news outlets, the AP aims to reach a wider audience and provide comprehensive reporting on the key issues and developments shaping the election. The combined efforts of Swing State Election News and the AP reflect the growing importance of localized and independent coverage in shaping public understanding of the political landscape.
