MUMBAI: News on social media is no longer about live news feed or trending hashtags. Viewers of CNN IBN and IBN7 can now engage real-time with anchors and journalists through Twitter’s live-streaming app Periscope.

The unique campaign, which was initiated on Independence Day in August 2015, intensifies to churn out rich interactive content, enhancing audience engagement and empowering viewers to watch and engage through the app. On Periscope, viewers can not only watch but also interact with CNN-IBN and IBN7 journalists by sending messages, and expressing their appreciation by tapping the screen to send ‘hearts’, a feature in the Periscope app.

Some of the path-breaking live scopes by the news channel include the streaming of Karma Paljor’s Periscope on Indonesian Air Crash, Steve Herman’s eyewitness Periscope on Bangkok blast, battle for Bihar and the recent census row amongst others.

Talking about the same, IBN Network president and A+E Networks|TV18 CEO Avinash Kaul said, “We believe in inclusive journalism and in extending its points of engagement with the viewers beyond television. Getting our anchors and journalists to interact through Periscope is another such endeavor.”

Twitter India TV partnerships head Viral Jani added, “Use of Periscope brings tremendous opportunity for TV broadcasters to build loyalty and engagement with their viewers. Through Periscope, TV anchors and channels can broadcast great live video content complimentary to the on-air broadcast, creating a delightful viewing experience for their audiences.”

Subsequently, CNN-IBN and IBN7 aim to enhance its viewer engagement through greater play in the social space.