'Dispatches' launches live web debate strand

Channel 4's Dispatches is launching a late night web debate strand next week.

Late Night & Live will enable viewers to watch Dispatches and then take part in a live web debate on Channel 4's website, beginning with China’s Stolen Children, which airs on Monday October 8 at 8pm.

Digital technology partner Best Before Media is working with the channel on the new service. Using live web streams, a producer with a laptop will produce the show live from Best Before’s offices, replacing the need for a team of producers, infrastructure and hardware.

Dorothy Byrne, head of news and current affairs at Channel 4, said: "Dispatches Late Night & Live is an important addition to Channel 4’s news and current affairs output. We want to be able to use the potential of the internet to deliver highly reactive – and provocative current affairs content. There’s no other broadcaster pushing the boundaries in this area. We want to show people that politics matters by delivering passionate debate through a new means."