Roberts Rules Cheat Sheet for LD4 Precinct Commiteemen
Doing Journalism at an NBC Affiliate
1. KOMU 8 News: Doing journalism at an NBC affiliate By Holly Edgell Assistant Professor, The Missouri School of Journalism Executive Producer, KOMU-TV Oct. 13, 2009
2. First, about NBC 1926: 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 York 1951: 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.
3. NBC At a Glance Headquarters: Rockefeller Plaza, New York Comprises: NBC Universal Television Group More than 200 local affiliates around the country NBC Local Media Division 10 NBC owned-and-operated television stations reaching 27% of U.S. TV households Telemundo (Spanish language) NBC News NBC Universal NBC Sports & Olympics
4. About KOMU-TV Designated Market Area: Columbia & Jefferson City First broadcast its signal in 1953 Broadcasting in HD since 2008 Approx. 170,000 TV Households Market Ranking #137 of 210 (Nielsen) Viewers across 15 Mid-Missouri counties A 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
6. KOMU & NBC Like most NBC and other network affiliates KOMU airs NBC programming throughout the day. 7 to 11 a.m. weekdays: The Today Show 12 to 1 p.m. weekdays: Days of Our Lives (soap opera) 5:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays: NBC Nightly News 7 to 10 p.m. weekdays: NBC Prime Time (shows include Law & Order, The Office, Dateline NBC, Jay Leno, Heros, 30 Rock)
7. Beyond NBC Also like other network affiliates, KOMU has the option of purchasing syndicated programs to complete its programming lineup: 11 – 11:30 am weekdays: The Insider 11:30 am – 12 pm weekdays: Access Hollywood 1 – 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)
8. KOMU 8 NewsAll Newscasts streamed live on KOMU.com 4:30 – 7 am weekdays: KOMU 8 News Today 12 – 12:15 pm weekdays: KOMU 8 News at Noon (Web) 5:00 – 5:30 pm weekdays: KOMU 8 News at Five 6:00 – 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday: KOMU 8 News at Six 10 – 10:30 pm Monday through Sunday: KOMU 8 News at Ten 10:30 – 11 pm Sunday: KOMU 8 Sports Show FOUR HOURS & 15 MINUTES OF NEWS DAILY (WEEKDAYS)
9. KOMU 8 News & NBC News As 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 handout KOMU 8 News at Ten: “World View”
11. 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 service NewsChannel 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, DC Affiliates 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
12. KOMU 8 News & Journalism Brand: “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?”
13. Weather & News at KOMU-TV Brand: “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.
14. How do we decide what to cover & air? We take into account news values, but we also consider the audience for each newscast 5 p.m. Often the first newscast people are seeing since the morning news Lead 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 issues Shorter stories, faster pace
15. How do we decide what to cover & air The 6 p.m. news follows NBC Nightly News Even more local in focus than the 5 p.m. newscast Audience comprised of more working professionals, including more men Longer, more in-depth stories Including our “franchises” Sports heavily weighted to local college and high school teams, regional professional teams Feature stories focusing on “human interest”
16. Types of stories in local news Breaking or Spot News Something happening now or just over. Often “live” coverage. Event Often pre-arranged, media alerted by press release press conference, ribbon-cutting, speech, meeting “News you can use” Subject matter empowers viewers Health, consumer Enterprise Reporter develops an original idea, sources Personalities, new trends, expository themes, issues
17. Types of stories in local news Investigative Uncovering a problem, explaining a complex issue with primary research Often exposes corruption, incompetence, negligence, or fraud by officials, government or business/organizations Call to action Coverage of a person or organization in need of assistance. Franchise Similar to newspaper “beats.” Reporter develops expertise in an area over time, specializes in subject area
