Yahoo News announces 2012 election coverage plans

• "Remake America" — An original TV-quality web show following the real-life experiences of eight American families dealing with economic issues facing the country. Over the coming weeks, Yahoo! will introduce these families and scores like them while exploring the issues at the center of the national debate through their eyes. The series will debut in early 2012 following an open, national casting call unveiled today.

• Original reporting and expert analysis — Under the leadership of Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian, Yahoo! will draw on its established team of political writers, including Holly Bailey, Chris Suellentrop, Chris Lehmann, Chris Moody, Rachel Rose Hartman and others. Additionally, notable writers from across the political spectrum will provide insight and commentary on the issues and potential solutions Americans are discussing.

• Increased social interaction — By leveraging the new Yahoo! News friends' activity feature and other social elements, Yahoo! will infuse social and personalized experiences across premium news and elections content, creating a platform for a national dialogue among citizens with similar interests and concerns, for example mothers talking to other mothers, young voters talking with other young voters, etc.

• Joint political news coverage with ABC News — A new, deep integration with ABC News, our premier news provider, on daily campaign coverage, news-making interviews, original video production and expert analysis of the issues.

• "The Signal" — An up-to-the minute blog devoted to elections presenting efficient, real-time predictions and opinion from the world's leading academics. Created by scientists from Yahoo! Labs, The Signal leverages Yahoo!'s planet-scale cloud technology and research resources to run prediction models using live data, to capture the national mood and predict everything including who the front-runner is for the Republican Party, the likelihood that Obama will win the presidential re-election, and how other political news and economic and financial indicators might impact the elections. A more robust site and dynamic content will launch throughout the winter and spring.