How will crisis effect local news?

[seatownmedia]

Hard to find a suitable thread for this. The local news business is huge for many tv stations. In fact, many stations identify their product with their news product. On the surface, this seems to be a "slam-dunk", but how are local stations really handling this, and are they doing it correctly? I think there is a lot of talk about what local news can do in this crisis, and many stations are stepping up. We have seen the "social distancing" between anchors, and I get that, but beyond that, how are local news stations really covering this? This goes beyond the usual local news stories, it is affecting every viewer in some way or another. Who is doing it right, and who is missing the boat? Or perhaps a better question is who really knows how to do it today? It is a whole new world in local TV news.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Hard to find a suitable thread for this. The local news business is huge for many tv stations. In fact, many stations identify their product with their news product. On the surface, this seems to be a "slam-dunk", but how are local stations really handling this, and are they doing it correctly? I think there is a lot of talk about what local news can do in this crisis, and many stations are stepping up. We have seen the "social distancing" between anchors, and I get that, but beyond that, how are local news stations really covering this? This goes beyond the usual local news stories, it is affecting every viewer in some way or another. Who is doing it right, and who is missing the boat? Or perhaps a better question is who really knows how to do it today? It is a whole new world in local TV news.

I know in some cities there have been local news outlets that have covered hospital protests and supermarket protests over safety issues in response to COVID-19 and resource allocation issues.


https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020...nurses-protest-allina-healths-uniform-policy/

https://abc7news.com/grocery-stores...navirus-will-close-that-offer-pickup/6119419/

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/loca...g-adequate-protections-amid-pandemic/2103707/


https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/...n-customers-from-coming-inside-amid-covid-19/

The problem here is that not all parts of the USA see these protests covered in the news though. Often times they end up getting lumped in with the State Capital protests directed at state legislatures and Governors over Mask orders and stay at home orders though even though they are on different sides of the COVID-19 argument though and for different reasons too.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

Since each market experiences the situation differently, there really isn’t a uniform answer. You can’t take what’s happening in, say, Little Rock to Boston. It’s all going to continue to evolve as circumstances change and resources allow.

 

[TheBigA]

The way it's being handled is as a local story. No real national strategy. So if governors or mayors are doing briefings, stations are covering. Other than the weather, this seems to be the top story every day. Not much else going on.

 

[b-turner]

TV local news has stepped up to the plate nicely from what I have seen (The Dallas/Ft. Worth market). They cover press conferences and such. It seems once the daily briefings from officials stopped, the newscasts are rather meandering and seemingly stretching to fill the time. How many indepth interviews with a church that is handing out food or how many drive-by birthday celebrations and groups making masks does one need to see. One recent cast had a lengthy interview with a mental health professional on how to deal with being home. Then there's the Q&A with answers to questions like should I wipe down my groceries before I bring them in the house? Sure, the human interest factor is important but that seems to take 50% of newscasts recently coupled with that interview of the recovered Covid 19 patient that describes the chaotic scene at a hospital or the attempt to be tested on three separate attempts.

I have watched a small market TV station that actually had better content and talked of more than Covid 19. They carried a story on how restaurants will have a tough time luring back staff when the unemployment and temporary cash benefit means you can make more money not working, at least until October. And yes, they had a nice human interest story or two but actually more real news.

I'm gathering the news anchors are being coached to take on more of a role of a what we would call a personality or air talent in radio. There's an attitude of I'm glad you checked in with me today friend and let me tell you what's been happening in my world. I'm not sure that is a bad angle but it seems to be less about hard news delivery and more about 'friend-bonding' for lack of a better description. All the channels seem to have somewhat the same slant and content so research must be telling them it's a good idea.

I still note commercial breaks amid local casts are lacking in paid spots. That small market station I mentioned only averages about 1 or 2 paid commercials per break with a couple of news promos and show promos tossed in to fill the breaks.

I'm noting 100% local and state in most cases. I'm amazed no other stories are really being covered. I haven't heard about a robbery or murder in weeks yet this is Dallas/Ft. Worth with about 5.5 million people and such stories can easily fill 1/3rd of a cast every day.

 

[TheBigA]

The other issue regarding local news is paying for it. As the previous post notes, advertising is way down, so that means these TV stations have lower revenues. The NAB has tried to get the white house to devote some of the bailout funds to local media, but we know how this president feels about the media. He'll give money, but only to those groups he likes. So everybody else is on their own. Here's a story about local news in Gainesville Florida:

https://www.gainesville.com/opinion...n-covid-19-pandemic-shows-value-of-local-news

 

[seatownmedia]

TV local news has stepped up to the plate nicely from what I have seen (The Dallas/Ft. Worth market). They cover press conferences and such. It seems once the daily briefings from officials stopped, the newscasts are rather meandering and seemingly stretching to fill the time. How many indepth interviews with a church that is handing out food or how many drive-by birthday celebrations and groups making masks does one need to see. One recent cast had a lengthy interview with a mental health professional on how to deal with being home. Then there's the Q&A with answers to questions like should I wipe down my groceries before I bring them in the house? Sure, the human interest factor is important but that seems to take 50% of newscasts recently coupled with that interview of the recovered Covid 19 patient that describes the chaotic scene at a hospital or the attempt to be tested on three separate attempts.

I have watched a small market TV station that actually had better content and talked of more than Covid 19. They carried a story on how restaurants will have a tough time luring back staff when the unemployment and temporary cash benefit means you can make more money not working, at least until October. And yes, they had a nice human interest story or two but actually more real news.

I'm gathering the news anchors are being coached to take on more of a role of a what we would call a personality or air talent in radio. There's an attitude of I'm glad you checked in with me today friend and let me tell you what's been happening in my world. I'm not sure that is a bad angle but it seems to be less about hard news delivery and more about 'friend-bonding' for lack of a better description. All the channels seem to have somewhat the same slant and content so research must be telling them it's a good idea.

I still note commercial breaks amid local casts are lacking in paid spots. That small market station I mentioned only averages about 1 or 2 paid commercials per break with a couple of news promos and show promos tossed in to fill the breaks.

I'm noting 100% local and state in most cases. I'm amazed no other stories are really being covered. I haven't heard about a robbery or murder in weeks yet this is Dallas/Ft. Worth with about 5.5 million people and such stories can easily fill 1/3rd of a cast every day.

Yes, I agree some local stations (both large and small) have stepped up. I think your point of the anchors "relating" to the audience is very important in these times. Not only for the viewing public, but for the continued success of these stations.

 

[TheBigA]

Yes, I agree some local stations (both large and small) have stepped up. I think your point of the anchors "relating" to the audience is very important in these times. Not only for the viewing public, but for the continued success of these stations.

One thing I notice about the TV people is they value outreach into the community. That's not always the case with radio.