Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In this mixed-methods study of local morning newscasts, the researchers examine current approaches to managerial oversight and resource allocation for morning newscasts and explore the content focus and expansion plans for the time period.

A Web survey of 117 news directors found no significant differences between number-one rated stations and non-number-one rated stations in terms of the number of hours of news produced, the number of times per week managers watch the morning shows or discuss shows with their staffs, or the staff sizes on morning shows. However, the vast majority of respondents believe that a combination of adding staff and providing greater managerial oversight to the morning news block would be the most effective way to boost a station's morning news ratings.

In-depth interviews with news directors for some of the highest-rated morning newscasts in the country describe how they update content and set the agenda for the day to create their successful morning news programs.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Atwater

Product differentiation in local TV news. Journalism Quarterly, 61, 757–762. (1984).

Arveson

(1998). What is the balanced scorecard? Retrieved December 15, 2005, from http://www.balancedscorecard.org/basics/bsc1.html

Berkowitz

Assessing forces in the selection of local television news. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 35 (2), 245–251. (1991).

Berkowitz

Work rules and news selection in local TV: Examining the business-journalism dialectic. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 37 (1): 67–81. (1993).

Case

Morning, weekend newscasts keep growing. Mediaweek. Retrieved April 13, 2006, from http://www.mediaweek.com (2005, March 28).

Couper

M. P.

Web surveys: A review of issues and approaches. Public Opinion Quarterly, 64, 464–494. (2000).

Kohut

Self-censorship: Counting the ways. Columbia Journalism Review, 39 (1): 42. (2000).

Kreck

Channel 2 to add 11 a.m. newscast to September slate. Denver Post, Retrieved September 13, 2007, from: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4173916 (2006).

The State of the News Media 2004: An Annual Report on American Journalism Retrieved December 15, 2005, from http://www.stateofthenewsmedia.org/2004/narrative_localtv_intro.asp?media=6

10.

The State of the News Media 2006: An Annual Report on American Journalism Retrieved April 13, 2006, from http://stateofthemedia.org/2006/narrative_localtv_intro.asp?cat=1&media=7

11.

The State of the News Media 2007: An Annual Report on American Journalism Retrieved September 13, 2007, from http:http://www.stateofthenewsmedia.org/2007/narrative_localtv_intro.asp?media=7

12.

McClellan

. The ax men cometh. Broadcasting, pp. 6–7. (1998, September 21)

13.

Papper

News, staffing and profitability survey. RTNDA Communicator. (2005, October).

14.

Potter

Pessimism rules in TV newsrooms. Columbia Journalism Review, 41 (4): 90. (2002).

15.

Powers

Toward monopolistic competition in U. S. local television news. The Journal of Media Economics, 14 (2), 77–86. (2001).

16.

Simmons

(2007). Morning new battle heats up today. Retrieved September 13, 2007, from: http://www.rogersimmons.com/tv/labels/Orlando%20morning%20newscasts.html

17.

Truitt

At 6 a.m. it's morning lite. Columbia Journalism Review, 39 (4): 96. (2000).

18.

Wulfemeyer

K. T.

The interests and preferences of audience for local television news. Journalism Quarterly, 60, 323–328. (1983).

Resource Allocation and Managerial Oversight of Local Morning Newscasts

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References