| Topic Name: |
Regaining viewers, YOUNGER ONES. |
| Message Name: |
anchors and content |
| Date Posted: |
05/17/2005 |
| Message: |
Many of us who are in this business never have the time to step back from our product and see it as a normal viewer.
Through the years I've seen
a deterioration of quality content and an attitude of "slap it together and put it on the air"
I love breaking news... but
come on folks... do we really have to send the chopper up to get a pointless car fire that isn't backing up traffic?
Our content is bleeding terribly.
We have abandoned quality issue oriented reporting.
Be real, do you really think someone cares about a pointless traffic accident, or house fire where no one was
hurt? Alright maybe there are some rubberneckers who love flames...but come on.
Years ago I would have been laughed at if we sent a crew to cover half the things I see on the air today.
This is affecting viewership.
People are tuning out because a lot of the stuff we put on the tube is a waste of time.
Younger viewers think news is a joke!
What's disturbing, many kids getting into the business think trivial news is the norm.
So now we're in the throws of a new generation of management
that accepts cookie cutter stories with no brain work.
Equally troubling... look at many of the anchors...they're all the same!
Stations have been told to promote the "product" not the anchors. That's a good concept, the problem is viewers actually relate with
individuals. How can you relate with ABC NEWS? You relate with Peter Jennings.
Stations need to better promote personable talent and keep them there.
Too many general managers are hiring robotic anchors now that may do well in research, but bomb with the viewer at home.
Anchors need to be more warm, and not act like disc jockeys
introducing the next song.
The world continues to change, and viewers need someone to relate with and be informed about something meaningful.
Remember this:
Is my world safe?
Is my neighborhood safe?
Simply reporting on crime
doesn't cut it... we need to
ask tough questions and dig.
What is being done to combat the problem...finance, training.
Is the city effective enough in its approach etc.
Trust me... viewers will watch if we are consistant in quality reporting.
Sure we are in the business of breaking news.
But all of us need to re-think what we're doing.
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