Skip to main content

YouTube to offer a live 360-degree look at the Republican and Democratic conventions

Both the Republic National Convention and Democratic National Convention are right around the corner, and while the important news from each will circulate in a number of ways, that isn’t enough for hardcore news junkies.

YouTube has a solution to this problem, as it announced in a blog post on Thursday that it will offer live-streaming coverage of both conventions, just as it did in 2012. Of course, a lot has changed in the four years since — both in terms of technology and in the prominence of YouTube personalities — so the company has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Recommended Videos

Creators like The Young Turks, Complex News, Seeker Daily, Ingrid Nilsen, Mark Watson, and Julie Borowski will be offering coverage at both conventions, in addition to several more traditional news organizations. Jump VR cameras will be used to offer a 360-degree look at the action, while mobile live-streaming will offer viewers a better idea of what it’s like to be there on the ground.

While YouTube is the official streaming partner of the conventions, it isn’t the only service offering coverage. Twitter plans to offer live-streaming video of both conventions, and BitTorrent, Inc. announced on Wednesday that it will launch its new live news network BitTorrent News just in time to cover the Republican National Convention.

The Republican National Convention kicks off in Cleveland, Ohio next week on July 18, while the Democratic National Convention starts July 25 in Philadelphia. For easy access, YouTube is offering dedicated channels for both the Republican and Democratic conventions.

The “gavel-to-gavel coverage” YouTube promised in its blog post isn’t all it plans to offer either. Real Time with Bill Maher will also be producing two specials per convention, and all of them will stream live on YouTube. The two specials for the RNC will air on July 20 and 21, while the DNC specials will air on July 27 and 28.

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
What is YouTube Music? Everything you need to know
iPhone 15 Pro Max showing the YouTube Music app.

YouTube, long renowned for its vast video library, has quietly established itself as a formidable music streaming service. Its dedicated app, YouTube Music, offers a curated collection of songs, albums, and podcasts catering to various music lovers. With millions of songs and countless music videos, YouTube Music boasts a comprehensive catalog that rivals industry giants like Spotify and Apple Music.

The app utilizes advanced algorithms to suggest music based on your listening habits, ensuring a tailored and enjoyable experience. YouTube Premium subscribers can download their favorite tracks for offline playback, perfect for commutes, workouts, or areas with limited internet connectivity.

Read more
What is YouTube Premium? Price, content, and more
YouTube Music

When it comes to watching videos on the internet, YouTube remains the most common place to do it. It's been around since 2005, delivering a hub for video content and includes everything from the newest music videos, to live-streaming events. While the website itself is free to use, its filled with ads that have a tendency to interrupt your videos at the worst possible time. However, with YouTube Premium you can eliminate those pesky ads, and get back to watching the content you want to see -- without interruptions.

The YouTube family of products can be a bit confusing, however. In addition to YouTube Premium, there are other paid services like YouTube Music, YouTube TV, and the now-defunct YouTube Go, plus some free movies on YouTube you don't want to miss. The price of YouTube Premium has changes since launch, and with new services like YouTube Premium Lite, its worth considering which option is right for you. There are even bundling options that could save you some money like the YouTube Premium family plan, or the free trial.

Read more
YouTube TV: plans, pricing, channels, how to cancel, and more
An NFL Sunday Ticket multiview option on YouTube TV.

Streamers like Netflix continue to fight for dominance of original content in TV and film against the seemingly endless number of VOD platforms available today. With new apps and services landing regularly, it can be hard to tell what platforms to pay attention to. But heed our words, friends: trust in YouTube TV. 

Similar to Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV offers access to live local and cable only channels, as well as on-demand YouTube movies and shows. There are several other perks to enjoy too, and we’ve broken everything down in this complete guide to YouTube TV.

Read more