KOMU 8 News: Doing journalism at an NBC affiliateBy Holly EdgellAssistant Professor, The Missouri School of JournalismExecutive Producer, KOMU-TVOct. 13, 2009

First, about NBC1926: NBC establishes nation's first permanent radio network. 1931: NBC begins experimental TV broadcasts atop the Empire State Building.1941: NBC granted FCC's first commercial TV station license for WNBT, New York1951: NBC inaugurates first regular coast-to-coast TV network service. 1952: Today becomes first network early morning news show. 1953: NBC begins first color broadcasts, nine years ahead of other networks.1986: General Electric acquires RCA and becomes NBC parent company.2002: NBC acquires Telemundo, Bravo, and station KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco. 2003: NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment agree to merge and form new entity called NBC Universal.

NBC At a GlanceHeadquarters: Rockefeller Plaza, New YorkComprises: NBC Universal Television GroupMore than 200 local affiliates around the countryNBC Local Media Division10 NBC owned-and-operated television stations reaching 27% of U.S. TV householdsTelemundo (Spanish language)NBC NewsNBC UniversalNBC Sports & Olympics

About KOMU-TVDesignated Market Area: Columbia & Jefferson CityFirst broadcast its signal in 1953Broadcasting in HD since 2008Approx. 170,000 TV HouseholdsMarket Ranking #137 of 210 (Nielsen)Viewers across 15 Mid-Missouri countiesA full-power NBC affiliate operating as an independent commercial property. The only university-owned commercial television station in the United States utilizing its newsroom as a working lab for students

KOMU 8 Viewing Area

KOMU & NBCLike most NBC and other network affiliates KOMU airs NBC programming throughout the day.7 to 11 a.m. weekdays: The Today Show12 to 1 p.m. weekdays: Days of Our Lives (soap opera)5:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays: NBC Nightly News7 to 10 p.m. weekdays: NBC Prime Time (shows include Law & Order, The Office, Dateline NBC, Jay Leno, Heros, 30 Rock)

Beyond NBCAlso like other network affiliates, KOMU has the option of purchasing syndicated programs to complete its programming lineup:11 – 11:30 am weekdays: The Insider11:30 am – 12 pm weekdays: Access Hollywood1 – 2 pm weekdays: Dr. Oz (talk show)2 – 3 pm weekdays: Rachel Ray (talk show)3 – 4 pm weekdays: Dr. Phil (talk show)4 – 5 pm weekdays: Oprah Winfrey (talk show)

KOMU 8 NewsAll Newscasts streamed live on KOMU.com4:30 – 7 am weekdays: KOMU 8 News Today12 – 12:15 pm weekdays: KOMU 8 News at Noon (Web)5:00 – 5:30 pm weekdays: KOMU 8 News at Five6:00 – 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday: KOMU 8 News at Six10 – 10:30 pm Monday through Sunday: KOMU 8 News at Ten10:30 – 11 pm Sunday: KOMU 8 Sports ShowFOUR HOURS & 15 MINUTES OF NEWS DAILY (WEEKDAYS)

KOMU 8 News & NBC NewsAs a local affiliate KOMU-TV’s newsroom operates independently from NBC News, focusing on content aimed at the LOCAL audience.All newscasts except 6 p.m. usually include some national & international news – focusing on the big stories of the day. For example:KOMU 8 News at Five: “First Nation” & “First World”See 5 pm rundown handoutKOMU 8 News at Ten: “World View”

NBC NewsChannel VOD

NBC NewsChannelVideo on Demand (VOD)As an NBC Affiliate KOMU 8 can access a wide variety of video for regional, national & international news stories through the NewChannel serviceNewsChannel is based in North Carolina. Coordinates story and video by region. Available to all NBC affiliates.NewsChannel has a core group of reporters assigned around the country and in Washington, DCAffiliates can choose to use these reporters in live shots for major breaking news, including “custom” live shots.Affiliates may also request archival video NewsChannel also provides satellite booking services

KOMU 8 News & JournalismBrand: “Coverage You Can Count On… In High Definition”Although there is no formula, we teach and follow an accepted set of American news values:Proximity/Local Did something happen close to home, or did it involve people from here?Timeliness Did something happen recently or did we just learn about it?Impact Are many people affected or just a few? Controversy Are people in disagreement about this?Conflict Is there confrontation or violence involved?Prominence Is a well-known person involved? Currency Are people here talking about this? Oddity Is what happened unusual? WE OFTEN ASK: “WHAT ARE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT?”

Weather & News at KOMU-TVBrand: “Live Doppler 8 First Alert Weather”Research shows Mid-Missouri viewers can’t get enough weather!Severe Weather (storms, ice, high winds, flooding, tornados)Disruptive Weather (heavy rain, high heat, snow, wind)If there are severe or disruptive conditions, weather becomes news, often our lead story.

How do we decide what to cover & air?We take into account news values, but we also consider the audience for each newscast5 p.m.Often the first newscast people are seeing since the morning newsLead story is usually LOCAL unless there is major breaking news with wide IMPACT Audience largely composed of women (Oprah viewers), many whom may be “stay-at-home” or work only part-time.Concerned with EDUCATION, HEALTH, FAMILY, CONSUMER issuesShorter stories, faster pace

How do we decide what to cover & airThe 6 p.m. news follows NBC Nightly NewsEven more local in focus than the 5 p.m. newscastAudience comprised of more working professionals, including more menLonger, more in-depth storiesIncluding our “franchises”Sports heavily weighted to local college and high school teams, regional professional teamsFeature stories focusing on “human interest”

Types of stories in local newsBreaking or Spot NewsSomething happening now or just over. Often “live” coverage.EventOften pre-arranged, media alerted by press release press conference, ribbon-cutting, speech, meeting“News you can use”Subject matter empowers viewersHealth, consumerEnterpriseReporter develops an original idea, sources Personalities, new trends, expository themes, issues

Types of stories in local newsInvestigativeUncovering a problem, explaining a complex issue with primary researchOften exposes corruption, incompetence, negligence, or fraud by officials, government or business/organizationsCall to actionCoverage of a person or organization in need of assistance.FranchiseSimilar to newspaper “beats.”Reporter develops expertise in an area over time, specializes in subject area