MSNBC announced this afternoon that it will be televising the Pimary debate in South Carolina in April

MSNBC will carry exclusive live coverage of the South Carolina Democratic Party’s presidential primary debate on April 26, 2007. The debate will take place at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and will air live on MSNBC from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (ET) and stream live on MSNBC.com. South Carolina NBC affiliates, WIS-TV in Columbia, WYFF-TV in Greenville and WCBD-TV in Charleston, will join MSNBC in airing the debate. The participants and further details about the format will be announced at a later date. The debate is being organized in cooperation with the South Carolina Democratic Party and will be produced by NBC News.

MSNBC, which featured extensive political coverage during the 2006 mid-term elections and the start of the 110th Congress, will preview the debate during the day on April 26th. The network’s signature political program, “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” will air live from South Carolina State University at 5:00 pm (ET) with key interviews and analysis in anticipation of the debate. The network will also air comprehensive analysis of the debate upon its conclusion.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to be the home of the first debate of the 2008 presidential campaign,” said NBC News President Steve Capus. “NBC News is uniquely positioned to bring an event like this to the nation with the number one morning and evening newscasts, the number one Sunday public affairs program, MSNBC’s unparalleled commitment to extensive political coverage on cable and the leading news and information web site, msnbc.com.”

“What better way to celebrate South Carolina and our second-in-the-nation first-in-the South Presidential Primary than with the first Presidential debate at the alma mater of our own Jim Clyburn, Majority Whip of the US House of Representatives,” said South Carolina State Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin. “Having worked closely with the top-notch NBC News team in 2004 for the Presidential primary and debate, we know just what kinds of results they can produce when it comes to viewership, voter education and voter participation. Democratic candidates can rest assured that their campaign messages will be heard by millions of South Carolina voters and NBC viewers across the country.”

“I fully expect that the leading Democrats who are considering a run for the Presidency, will not miss this opportunity to travel to Orangeburg and meet the terrific students, faculty and staff of South Carolina State University for this historic occasion,” said House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.

Phil Alongi is Executive Producer, NBC News Specials. Elizabeth Wilner is Political Director, NBC News. Tammy Haddad is Vice President, Washington, for MSNBC and Executive Producer of “Hardball with Chris Matthews.” Dan Abrams is General Manager of MSNBC.