Cable news outlet NewsNation says it will simulcast a wide-ranging debate with California’s candidates for governor that will originate from a co-owned local television station later this month.
The debate is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 and will be produced by KRON (Channel 4) in San Francisco, with statewide distribution on Nexstar-owned or operated local TV stations in Sacrament, San Diego, Los Angeles, Bakersfield and Fresno.
NewsNation will simulcast the debate on its cable channel when the event starts at 7 p.m. local time (10 p.m. Eastern Time), the network said in a press release. Political affairs news outlet The Hill, also owned by Nexstar, will offer a free live stream of NewsNation’s coverage.
“We are proud to bring this important debate to the audiences of our national networks, ensuring that conversations shaping the future of California are accessible to viewers across the country,” said Sean Compton, the President of Nexstar Television Networks. “Serving local communities is central to Nexstar’s mission, and we are honored to play a role in informing the electorate and supporting the democratic process.”
First reported by The Desk last month, Nexstar’s California gubernatorial debate will be co-moderated by Frank Buckley of KTLA (Channel 5) in Los Angeles and Nikki Laurenzo of KTXL (Channel 40, Fox) in Sacramento. Laurenzo is also the host of Nexstar’s political affairs show “Inside California Politics.”
Nexstar selected its debate participants based on certain polling thresholds, the broadcaster affirmed. Candidates that are scheduled to appear include Democrats Katie Porter and Tom Steyer and Republicans Chad Biano and Steve Hilton.
NewsNation will produce its own pre-debate and post-debate coverage hosted by prime-time show hosts Chris Cuomo and Leland Vittert. The Hill will have separate pre-debate and post-debate coverage hosted by its politics editor Chris Stirewalt.
