Over the weekend, I had a chance to read an excellent article by Hillary Atkin in NewsPro Magazine that takes a look at the current state of television news and how we got to this point. I thought I'd share some of my comments on the general points made by Ms. Atkin.
The bottom line is cutbacks by television stations are having an enormous impact on the overall quality of television news, including here in Cleveland. All our stations locally have been hurt financially in 2009. However, we doubt that few, if any, local station managers would admit their product isn't what it used to be because of staff reductions. They would probably argue its been multi-faceted.
One of the biggest reasons for cutbacks is diminishing profit. Since the great economic downturn that started in late 2007 and 2008, stations have been under extreme pressure financially. Advertisers aren't spending as much money and local television stations are now competing for ratings and revenue from cable, satellite and the internet (including mobile) - in ways we have never seen before.The owners initial reaction was to cut back, and cut back fast. Then figure it out later. And many broadcast companies did just that.
The first folks in television to go have been high priced talent. Those who were at the top tier were jettisoned early on through non-renewed contracts or buy outs. In many cases, these people were some of the most experienced and most seasoned professionals in the business. Their knowledge and ideas were assets to newsrooms, particularly during times of crisis. Now, stations are relying more on younger and less experienced people to help re-invent the product. We fear the next time there is a major regional disaster and how well we will be able to cover it.
The recent California wildfires was one example Ms. Atkin used after the Los Angeles stations were highly criticized for lack of coverage - mainly because it was on the weekend when newsrooms are barely staffed.
Also, local stations are replacing higher priced syndicated programming (which costs a lot of money also) with an increase in daily news programming. Stations are actually doing MORE news, not less in their economic climate. The increased news does not cost stations more, it actually saves money going to syndicators with the same staff and resources.
No one where has this more apparent than with Fox affiliate stations. This fall, many stations added an extra hour of news from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to replace the cancelled "Mike and Juliet Show." That included WJW who feels more news is a cheaper option than paying for another syndicated show. They are right.
Regardless of how much news a station does, all news departments are expected to do more with less. This includes providing fresh content not only to your television screen, but to the web and through social media - like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. WKYC has been highly involved in this area for well over a year now as we reach untapped audiences.
Also, talent are now anchoring multiple newscasts. Producers are expected to spend more time working on the web before and after their newscasts. Reporters are becoming one man bands of photojournalists, editors and reporters or "MMJ - Multi Media Journalists". And control room staffs are being nibbled toward automation where crew of 5 or 6 are whittled to one or two.
Those who will survive in this new media environment are the ones who can do it all, don't mind long hours and accept lower pay than folks they've replaced. Television ownership knows they have the upper hand, as more people are looking for fewer available jobs. This allows stations to choose those who best fit their future needs.
Your blogger has found it very hard to encourage those in college wanting to work in television. In today's environment, the committment one must have is deep and very personal. The satisfacation one gets working in television or broadcasting must come from within and benefit you as much as it does the company.
Journalism is far from dead. But the new opportunities are going to created by entrepeneurs who can use new technology as their new platform rather than the newspaper, or television station or radio talk show. The power of the internet is waiting to be tapped.
Those opportunities are there. The true challenge is figuring them out.
