June 10, 2007
Newspapers Find Online Video Niche
Dailies such as Delaware’s News Journal, Westchester's Journal News, New York's NewsCenter Now , are staking out Web territory with broadband newscasts, reports Braodcasting&Cable.
"... Although newspapers have long offered Web video, they are turning to newscasts to grow that online stake.
The newscasts, many of which are available as downloads for mobile devices, largely cater to a young audience that eludes both newspapers and traditional broadcast news. They are often short and irreverent (such as the Miami Herald’s daily “What the 5!”) and are as likely to cover a local rock concert as a serial murderer.
... "A lot of what goes into a TV newscast is the appeal of the presenters because of their communication skills,” Horlick says. “If you don’t have credible presenters, [the user] can just click on the stories. I’m not terribly concerned with newspapers as competition with their newscasts.”
Another station general manager, who asked not to be named, also zeroes in on the talent issue. “What people want is better personalities, and the [newspaper anchors] are really bad. You have to deliver content in an entertaining way.”
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