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WTTW to partner with Twitter

on interactive elements of Chicago Tonight U.S. Senate Candidate Forum
during live broadcast and stream on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 pm

For immediate release
Chicago, IL - October 28, 2014

CHICAGO – October 28, 2014 WTTW11, the Midwest’s premier public television station (@wttw), announced today that it will enter into a new partnership with the social networking platform Twitter to provide real time interactive elements during tomorrow evening’s 60-minute Candidate Forum between Illinois U.S. Senate candidates Dick Durbin (D) (@DickDurbin) and Jim Oberweis (R) (@JimOberweis). The 7:00 pm live forum, moderated by Phil Ponce (@PhilPonce), will take place at WTTW’s studios as part of its nightly flagship magazine Chicago Tonight (#Chicago Tonight) and will be presented before a studio audience and live streamed at wttw.com.

The audience is encouraged to join the conversation in real time during the live forum by tweeting their questions and reactions using WTTW’s handle @wttw and #ChicagoTonight.

“WTTW is excited to partner with Twitter on this event,” said Dan Schmidt, President and CEO of WTTW. “We are always looking for innovative ways to engage with our audience, and this new partnership activates real-time, on-screen technology that will enhance and deepen our connection during this important conversation between the Illinois candidates for the United States Senate,” he added.

"The real-time nature of Twitter adds value to the public discourse around elections, so we are thrilled to partner with WTTW during tomorrow's live U.S. Senate candidate forum in Chicago," said Bridget Coyne, who works in Government and Elections Partnerships at Twitter. "By integrating Twitter into tomorrow's coverage, WTTW is allowing the voice of the voters to be heard even louder and for voters to become even more informed come Election Day."

WTTW’s candidate forums are underwritten in part by The City Club of Chicago.

About WTTW

WTTW is a premier public media organization committed to creating and presenting unique television and digital media content across four distinct television channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, the Spanish-language channel WTTW Vme, and WTTW Create/WTTW WORLD, and on wttw.com. Recognized for award-winning local and national productions such as Chicago Tonight, Check, Please!, and MEXICO – One Plate at a Time, WTTW presents the very best in cultural, nature, science, public affairs, and children’s programming to almost 2 million weekly viewers across a four state area. WTTW is unique in its commitment to serving the children in our community, with half of its weekday broadcast schedule devoted to educational and non-commercial content. Visitors to wttw.com can connect with others in the community and access a full library of local and national video content for kids and adults, interactive features, event and membership opportunities, and robust microsites dedicated to WTTW and PBS series and specials.

About Twitter, Inc.

Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) is a global platform for public self-expression and conversation in real time. By developing a fundamentally new way for people to create, distribute and discover content, we have enabled every voice to echo around the world instantly and unfiltered. The service can be accessed at Twitter.com, via Twitter mobile applications for a variety of devices, and by text message. For more information, visit discover.twitter.com or follow @twitter.

About Chicago Tonight

WTTW’s flagship nightly newsmagazine Chicago Tonight recently celebrated 30 years on the air. Airing weeknights at 7:00 pm, the award-winning series covers Chicago stories in politics, arts, science and technology, health, business, architecture, education, history and more. The program’s website, wttw.com/chicagotonight, includes original reporting, extensive video, a comprehensive segment archive, blogs, and special features.