Okay, so this is my first entry on this blog thing.
I'm a news junkie and a tech head. I thought I would start posting entries about local and national news, as well interesting technology items that I come across.
Another goal for this blog is to improve my writing skills. I fear that I'm getting into a funk because I spend all day writing boring emails and analyzing reports for work and I think I need to have another outlet to express my opinions.
So my goal is to begin slowly and post 2 times a week and see where is goes from there.
The topic for my first post is NBC11's 5 o'clock news. NBC11 is the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland affiliate based in Silicon Valley. Because of its location, NBC11 is experimenting with online simulcasts of their 5 o'clock news with a chat feature.
The online interface allows the viewer to watch the newscast (with a 20 second delay) and chat with viewers, anchors and reporters. Viewers query reporters in real-time to clarify their segments. Occasionally, they have experts on the chat room to field questions on current issues such as the environment, politics, and medicine.
I'm addicted. The concept that news is a one way technology is outdated and the live interaction with viewers and reporters is refreshing. With the occasional experts in the chat room, viewers are able to delve in depth on a topic which isn't possible in the 2 or 3 minute segments that is televised.
Local news is financially suffering, with viewers using the internet to gather their news, the local TV news organizations are having a difficult time bring in ratings. The concept of interacting with the viewers in real time through chat rooms is a way to bring in new viewers. Also, by having the chat room and internet simulcast at 5 o'clock, they are targeting the worker who is still in the office.
But, how can it be improved?
NBC11 essentially attached the chat room onto your typical afternoon broadcast. There is some interaction with their "Fast Feedback" feature where comments from the chat room or emails are highlighted during the newscast, but it's still limited. Also, the focus of the chat room meanders because there are so many segments during the newscast.
I would recommend that NBC11 review the headlines during the first segment and focus on one or two major stories during the remaining time. Interview newsmakers during those focus segments and solicit questions from viewers to be asked on air.
NBC11 still has its 6 o'clock news which is a traditional local newscast with news, weather, and sports; however, I would like to see them push the envelope a little more on the 5 o'clock news and truly bring this into the 21st century.
