NPR's Newscasts

[KMan]

Is there any reason why NPR's newscasts never include a "live" report from a reporter? Seems like all the reports are canned.

 

[jegrant]

I never really noticed that, but you're right.

Overall, though, I think NPR generally tends to rely more on canned reports, because they allow for more depth and context. My impression of other media outlets is that they substitute "live" coverage for "meaningful" coverage, as if something is somehow more insightful when delivered live. I think it's actually just a cheap gimmick, that often provides ample opportunities for screw-ups to be broadcast.

 

[FilioScotia]

It depends on the story

Most reports on routine day-to-day stuff are recorded for use in the newscasts. However, a story of huge magnitude, such as 9-11, will use live reports or very short 2-ways with field reporters. They're kept short because NPR respects the time limitations of the hourly newscasts. Longer live reports and 2-ways are reserved for the longer segments of ME and ATC.

 

[fybush]

Re: It depends on the story

Most reports on routine day-to-day stuff are recorded for use in the newscasts. However, a story of huge magnitude, such as 9-11, will use live reports or very short 2-ways with field reporters. They're kept short because NPR respects the time limitations of the hourly newscasts. Longer live reports and 2-ways are reserved for the longer segments of ME and ATC.

One consideration is that the NPR hourlies have strict timeposts they have to hit. There's a cutaway point at :04, and another at :06 on the longer newscasts. Every once in a while, the anchor and producer seem to have trouble hitting those posts even with recorded reports!

 

[jp1520]

And if they're pre-recorded...they get to edit them...and boy do they like to edit, and edit, and edit...to
make them sound s good as possible. Listener studies show that one of things people like about public
radio is the smooth execution.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

A couple of months back I heard a segment where they were interviewing someone moving through the Arctic with dog sleds and by every clue I could pick up, it was live. Which raised the question: what technology were they using because the audio quality of this person reporting from a tent like hikers would use was PRISTINE quality.

 

[FilioScotia]

The guy in the Arctic was no doubt using a satellite phone. Morning Edition has done that before.

Bob Edwards once did a live interview with a guy on a ledge on the side of Mount Everest, and it sounded like he was calling from the next room.

The whole thing was probably pre-arranged. "Hey take a satellite phone with you and call us from somewhere out there. NPR will even pay for it."

Not much happens by accident at NPR.

Amazing gizmos those satellite phones. You can call home from anywhere.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

The thing that I like about NPR newscasts or interviews (on ME or ATC) is that when they go to some exotic place they have plenty of background sound and it's in stereo. They seem to try to give you a sound picture of where they are (jungle, city street, farm, etc). My guess is that most NPR stations are on FM so that stereo sound adds a new dimension to hearing the news. The AM NPR stations of course hear it, but it can't be as good, but better than no sound at all.

 

[del_griffith]

The thing that I like about NPR newscasts or interviews (on ME or ATC) is that when they go to some exotic place they have plenty of background sound and it's in stereo. They seem to try to give you a sound picture of where they are (jungle, city street, farm, etc). My guess is that most NPR stations are on FM so that stereo sound adds a new dimension to hearing the news. The AM NPR stations of course hear it, but it can't be as good, but better than no sound at all.

Agree. Their reports often become stories. Like sitting in a chair across from someone who is telling a very vivid and detailed story. And the use of background sounds as texture is a neat trick.

Sometimes it takes a while to appreciate the way they do their news shows like ME and ATC. It's very different from normal top and bottom of the hour news reports and even all news stations. And often, the voices do not have "commercial quality".

But as I listen more often and have matured in my listening habits, I have come to appreciate their long form reporting. Yes, sometimes it appears they really stretch to make a story, but more often than not they hit a home run.

 

[FilioScotia]

NPR uses the exact same "magazine style" reporting used on 60 minutes, Nightline, ABC 20-20 and all the other news magazine TV shows, but it does it without pictures.

NPR uses the natural sounds of events and locations to provide the mental "visuals". It's easy to close your eyes and imagine those locations.