September 28th, 2012

CNN Provides Extensive Coverage for ‘Debate Night in America’

Political Fact Checks to Feature Heavily into Coverage of the First Presidential Debate

CNN, the only cable news network that has not chosen sides during this election, will air the presidential debates between President Obama and Gov. Romney on Oct. 3, 16 and 22 and vice presidential debate between Vice President Biden and Rep. Ryan on Oct. 11. In Washington, Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and John King, along with Erin Burnett and the Oct. 16 debate moderator Candy Crowley live from Denver, will lead the network’s coverage beginning at 7 p.m. The network’s coverage will include expert analysis, political fact checks and elements to determine which candidate emerged from the debate on top.


Candy Crowley, who was selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates to moderate the Oct. 16 town hall-style face-off, will co-anchor coverage on Oct. 3 from inside the debate hall in Denver, the host city for the first debate. Also in Denver, anchor Erin Burnett will be joined by a group of undecided Colorado voters to monitor and measure their reactions throughout the evening. Chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin and national political correspondent Jim Acosta will report from the debate and bring viewers instant reaction from the Spin Room upon conclusion of the debate.

In Washington, the “reality check” team of anchor John Berman and correspondent Tom Foreman will fact check both the candidates’ claims and explain campaign issues pre- and post-debate. At the “Magic Wall,” chief national correspondent John King will offer a closer look at the state of the race and what is at stake as the candidates head into the debate.

Chief political analyst Gloria Borger and senior political analyst David Gergen will be joined in Washington by CNN contributors from across the political spectrum to offer analysis and first impressions post-debate. In addition, during the 11 p.m. hour, CNN and ORC International will reveal the results of a poll of viewers across the country who watched the debate.

For four nights in October CNN will present its live TV broadcast and offer unrestricted access to the network’s presidential debate programming through CNN.com and via CNN’s apps for iPhone and iPad. From 7 PM to midnight, October 3, 11, 16 and 22, anyone with an internet or mobile connection can view CNN TV’s news, analysis and live coverage. Displayed in a brilliant 768 x 432 HD video player, complete with closed captioning, CNN’s full coverage will air on CNN.com/Debates. A truly interactive destination, CNN.com/Debates will feature companion content including a live blog, on-demand videos and articles, candidate profiles, social media integrations and a Social Buzz meter. In addition, CNN.com will debut new clip-and-share video editing features for the debates. With DVR-like controls, clip-and-share makes everyone a CNN editor. Users can quickly fast-forward and rewind to the perfect start and end points to create powerful video clips, straight from the live feed. Clips can be shared with friends and followers directly through Facebook and Twitter. Once shared to these social circles, users can watch back the moments and create a direct URL or embed code for blogs and websites, and share their must-see moments via email, LinkedIn, or Google+.

CNN International will simulcast CNN/US from 8 p.m. to midnight.