Putin will reportedly ditch a live audience at this year's marathon televised ‘call-in’ show

Vladimir Putin’s marathon “direct line” call-in show is reportedly ditching its live audience, which Putin first introduced in 2008, when he left the presidency to serve as prime minister. Putin has held marathon call-in shows every year since 2001 (except in 2012). The Kremlin hasn’t yet verified any details about the next “direct line,” but it’s expected to take place on June 7, sources told the BBC’s Russian-language service.