Fox 13 Seattle just announced that the back half of newscasts at 5-8-9-10 will be repeated as of 6/16.
Here's a primer on the magic of news replays:
1) Viewers are highly unlikely to realize that they are even watxhing a repeat show. Consdier this: If they watch an A block that's live with fresh news, whatever they watch in the back half of the show looks totally new to them, as well, assuming its the first time they tune in. People don't usually watch an hour of news, then another hour of news back to back, why would they? So it works, kinda sleight of hand. Most newscasts are loaded with repeat video anyway. Fox 13 knows it can do this, unusual as it is on broadcast compared to cable, where regional channels used this technique for years to keep the head counts down.
2) Repeated portions can easily be overridden to accomodate big breaking stories and severe weather warnings and coverage. In other words, it can be managed case by case. No losses, although sometimes logistically difficult internally and technically.
3. It eliminates wear and tear most significatly on newscast producers, who in these times, are tasked with editing tape and building their own graphics inside the program. That's a lot even though they have the tools. Anchors get a break, so they can possibly contribute more content elsewhere.
I think Fox 13 ks doing the right thing going to live A blocks plus more Live Desk inserts, and strongly driving their streaming products as the main benefit. That's part of TV news' survival, even though local TV 'linear' news is still a major draw for viewers/advertisers.
This will cause some counters from the competitors, so watch for content differentiation and promotional message changes. Advertisers will have to be convinced that their spots inside replays are effective, but if you refer back to the fact that it looks live to new viewers, what's the issue? Funny, if you miss a story at 8, you can see it again in the 9 or 10. How convenient.
Just some thoughts to consider from someone who has lived with news replays in regional cable major market since 1991.
ReplyDelete47 CFR § 73.1208 - Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded material.
CFR
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§ 73.1208 Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded material.
(a) Any taped, filmed or recorded program material in which time is of special significance, or by which an affirmative attempt is made to create the impression that it is occurring simultaneously with the broadcast, shall be announced at the beginning as taped, filmed or recorded. The language of the announcement shall be clear and in terms commonly understood by the public. For television stations, the announcement may be made visually or aurally.
So does that mean Fox 13 will have to put a "previously recorded" or "recorded earlier" graphic on screen when the segments from the 4pm news reair at 5, 8, 9, and 10? That would seem to comply with the law. However, it would make it very clear to viewers what is going on, which would ruin the illusion that what they are watching is indeed live, and potentially make them change the channel. Fox 13 isn't going to want that, so it will be interesting to see how they follow the law while maintaining the illusion.
DeleteIn cable it was never an issue because cable is not licensed by the FCC. I would think, however, that previously recorded may need to be supered at least once over a BROADCAST newz replay. I also presume Fox 13 has looked into this, if the technique is being used daily.
ReplyDeleteThought they already did this? Won't matter to me unless I've already watched!
ReplyDeleteIt is done to a degree, for example, KING noon replayed on KONG at 1, but that's a separate channel. ARC Seattle is live 7-10 a.m. on KUNS and then cut to two hours, 1-3 pm. They may repurpose it for the replay with a new top. I don't know....never watched the replay.
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