CNN gave viewers and users a myriad of choices during the lone VP debate tonight.  You could make it as interactive, or inactive as you liked.  But one thing was clear - CNN did a masterful job of weaving coverage on both cable and the Internet.

They had a panel of viewers in Columbus, Ohio using dials similar to those we employ at AR&D to rate the Palin and Biden performances second by second.  That information, as well as live scoring from CNN's "political experts" ran on the cable channel throughout the debate (only visible if you had a high definition... more »

It took them awhile to get engaged, but now local TV newscasts are hot and heavy on the biggest story in a long time - the trials and tribulations, and effects, of the failed Bailout plan.  Last week in this space, I railed about local TV newscasts ignoring (except for superficial network packages) this huge story. 

Well, beginning with yesterday's drama on Capitol Hill and Wall Street, the local TV newscasts in Dallas, and in other markets (viewed on my Slingbox) did an excellent job of reporting on the local impact of this huge story.  I think maybe some local... more »

Are you empowering your viewers with the local impact of the Bailout drama playing out in Washington, DC?  Or - like the Dallas TV stations - are you still just dishing out the local crime and mayhem de jour each morning and night?

If you're following the lead of the Dallas local newscasts you are not serving your viewers.  AR&D research shows that today - more than ever - viewers want to be empowered to handle their own situations - be it financial or otherwise.  But as I sit in my town watching the newscasts I keep getting a steady diet... more »

I got goosebumps while waiting for a plane at DFW airport last week.  No - I wasn't cold, or concerned about my flight - it was brought on by a wonderful display of American appreciation.

DFW is one of two R&R airports - the main destination for soldiers on their way home from Iraq to spend time with friends and relatives.  I was waiting at a gate for my flight, when about 200 men and women in uniform started strolling by on a catwalk one story above us.

Everyone - and I mean everyone - stood up and applauded and cheered... more »

I got an interesting lesson this weekend in what it's like to live in a small town on the fringe of a big city TV market.   I was at my lakehouse - about an hour east of Dallas in Gun Barrel City (great name!) - as Hurricane Ike headed relentlessly toward North Texas.

For most of the week that area was in the bullseye for the eye of Ike with predictions it would arrive as still a Category 1 hurricane - or at the very least a tropical storm with sustained winds near 75 miles an hour.  It was a bit... more »

While many local TV newscasts are dipping their toe into gathering UGC (user-generated content) – the cable networks have launched an armada.  It has become part of their DNA.  They are constantly asking for viewers to send pictures and video to enhance their 24-hour news content.

CNN has its iReport.  They are relentlessly asking users and viewers to share... more »

So, how much confidence would you have in a meterologist if you knew he was from Oklahoma not Louisiana as a hurricane was roaring toward your home?  I have to rant about my favorite topic today - local TV news making a big deal out of an outsider being on their station and having no local expertise.

I was watching WDSU's live coverage of the approaching hurricane about midnight on a special feed from DirectTV.  There was a very good meterologist talking about the approaching hurricane Gustav.  But the station felt the need to diminish his local  credentials - not once... more »

Are you a news director who is NEVER in your newsroom?  Are you so busy that you had no idea what the content of your newscasts was today?  Do you know if today's newscasts were delivered in your unique brand of journalism?

During my nearly two decades of consulting, I have never had so many news directors who honestly answer "yes," "yes," and "no" to those three questions.  It has become nearly impossible to get my news director clients on the telephone - they seem to never be in their offices - and when they are they sound stressed with... more »

Local TV news credibility is on the upswing according to the latest Pew Research Center study.  Of course, it is still less than a third of all viewers who "believe all or most of what the news organization says."

28% of all respondents said Local TV News when asked that credibility question.  That is six points lower than a decade ago.  It is also third overall - behind #1 CNN (30%, down 12% in a decade), and 60 Minutes #2 at 29% (down 6% since 1998).   Local TV News' credibility increased by 5% since the 2006 survey, and edges NPR... more »

I'm not a big Olympics fan - but every night I find myself getting hooked into watching it for hours.  I'm not alone the ratings are strong across the country - really strong!

I think the draw is the Olympics is the ultimate reality TV program.  It is all about the DRAMA of the Olympics.  I am rooting for Michael Phelps to get 8 gold medals.  The DRAMA of the 4X100 relay the other night was incredible!

I'm not a gymnastics fan but the DRAMA of the U.S. Men's team trying to gut out a medal after one of their best had to... more »