Broadcast NewsJOUR 2300 – Principles of NewsMayborn School of Journalism

Source: News Writing and Reporting, Chip Scanlan

TV Broadcast Newsroom PositionsNews Director• Top person in the

news department, responsible for hiring, firing, promoting, budgeting and working with other department heads.

Producer• “Architect of the

newscast”.• Determines what stories

will be in a show as well as their placement. • Decides the packaging

of a story• Determines if it will be a

reader, anchor voice-over

Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7

TV Broadcast Newsroom PositionsAssignment Editor• Also known as

“assignment manager”• Traffic cop of the

newsroom • Maintains future files;

monitors police, fire and emergency services scanners, coordinates films crews with producers

Anchor• “Talent”• Host the news• Also serve as

reporters, particularly in smaller markets• Usually started out

as a reporter

Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7

TV Broadcast Newsroom PositionsReporter• Covers events • “Neutral witness” or

observer of major event• Responsible for

conducting interviews, working with photographer to capture video and audio

Photographer• Photog, cameraman,

photographer• Drive satellite truck,

run the equipment, set up lights, make the live shot work

Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7

TV Broadcast Newsroom PositionsVideo Editor• Often works as a

photographer, too• Handle all network

feed• Need to work fast on

deadline

Graphic Artist• Works with reporters

and producers in newsroom and with advertising• Skilled in image,

animation and multimedia

Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7

TV Broadcast Newsroom PositionsStudio production staff• Includes director,

technical director, audio technician, floor manager, and studio camera operators

Librarian / archivist• Knows where to find

the archived videos

Field producer/editor• Combination of a

producer and editor who works in the field with a reporter• Gathers and edits

information and makes sure complete stories are sent back to newsroom

Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7

Key Principles

It’s all about the visuals• Compelling, exciting

and interesting images• Reporter or anchor is

the narrator of these images

“Live and late-breaking”• Timeliness element

looms large• “This just in…”• Balancing “live”

coverage with packages based on breaking news stories that occurred earlier in the day

Key Principles

Keep it Simple• Anchors/reporters

copy – their scripts must be written in present tense, using active verbs in short sentences• Writing visually

“Live and late-breaking”• Timeliness element

looms large• “This just in…”• Balancing “live”

coverage with packages based on breaking news stories that occurred earlier in the day

Basic terms• B-roll• Background images of

scene

• Reader:• Most basic kind of

story. • No pictures• Anchor or reporter

readers a script• Typically 20 seconds

• VO: Voice over• News anchor

introduces a story, then after a sentence view sees video of story

• Typically 20-30 seconds

• VSOT: Voice-over/Sound over tape • Typically 25 seconds to

a minute

Basic terms cont.

Package• A reporter’s recorded

story• Anchor introduces it• Packages run from

1:15 to 1:45• Include stand-up

open, stand-up close,

Video Essay• Telling stories with

pictures

Let’s listen to the pros

Broadcast Journalism 101 with NBC's Mara Schiavocampo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Av04xCQXSw

TV News Skillshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV6-QE7tYPI

Bob Schieffer and the Future of Newshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6GRnXuswIU

Carole Simpson- 40 Years as a Broadcast Journalisthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F2kjU7qpG4

I. Preproduction and reporting

• Research it• Plan who

you’re going to interview

• Make appointment

• Get equipment

1. Find a story

2. Field production

• Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early, if possible

• Introduce yourself to key sources

• Set up camera• Shoot B-roll

2. Go to location

II. Field production cont.

• Keep it short• Record your best

three questions• Be firm, polite

and direct• Shoot cutaways

3. Record Interview

II. Field production cont.

• Be aware of public, private property

• Capture elements that help viewer

• Wide, medium and tight

• Capture MOTS: man on the street interviews, if appropriate

4. Shoot b-roll

II. Field production cont.

• Choose sound bites

• Include as man facts and information as possible

5. Write Script

II. Post Production

• Take a look at sample script

• See flow of video, audio, natural sound, stand-ups

6. Record (lay

down)Voice Track

II. Post production cont.

• Set up sequences

• Keep pacing consistent

7. Lay B-Roll

II. Post production cont.

• You’re on the air

8. Export

to tape, DVD or

post

Advantages of Broadcast News

• You’re a witness to important events in real times•Real time•Powerful visuals, capturing human

drama • Short, concise, crisp

http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478

Disadvantages

• Limited airtime• Broadcasts defined in seconds, minutes•Most half-hour newscasts usually on 20 to

22 minutes of actual news• Sometimes out of context• Entertainment driven• “Good news” hard to top murders, fires or

mayhem, particularly in local newshttp://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478

Disadvantages

• Limited airtime• Broadcasts defined in seconds, minutes•Most half-hour newscasts usually on 20 to

22 minutes of actual news• Sometimes out of context• Entertainment driven• “Good news” hard to top murders, fires or

mayhem, particularly in local newshttp://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478

Types of TV News Reporting

• Breaking News• Taped stories (packages)• Planned major events• Live reporting• Streaming (online)

http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478

Terms You Need to Know

• Ratings: Nielsen • Impact of Social Media:

http://socialguide.com• Local v. network• Cable v. broadcast• Correspondent, editor, producer, anchor,

creative director• Live v. taped

http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478

SOURCE: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/30/tv-ratings-tuesday-ncis-los-angeles-trophy-wife-rise-the-voice-hits-low-ncis-supernatiural-the-goldbergs-steady/212395/

Local TV Trends

• Extended times for broadcast news…but more time hasn’t translated to more views

Local TV trends cont.

•More hours of news ….

Discussion Question

You’ve just been named the news director of a local TV station that it No. 3 in the ratings. Your competitors are known for their happy-go-lucky broadcasts that feature crime stories, pet stories and festivals. You’ve been known for your investigative packages and in-studio interviews with news makers.

What would you do to improve your station’s ratings? How would you change your coverage? How would you use the Internet or social media to engage viewers?