If it bleeds, it leads... Nobody is more guilty of this broadcasting axiom than our local NBC affiliate, Channel 2 news. I normally do not watch local news because of this, but I wanted to see Sports Sunday, so I watched. In the first 5 minutes of the program, I was informed of a child abuse case, two drownings, a triple homicide, and a home invasion and murder. All in the first five minutes. Anybody else completely turned off by this?
Local TV stations make most of their money during their news programs. That's why it's on so damned much. In the morning. @ 5, @ 6, @ 10, late night. So, with it being the biggest money makeker, they customize it to the people. They sensationalize it so people will watch. It's sad that that's what gets the attention of the majority of the public but it's true. The only way it's going to change is if there are more people that want to see REAL news instead of the crap that currently comes on.
It would be nice to hear some good news, but like you said Crime sells. Most people like to look at bad news, makes them feel better about their situation? Just like people that rubberneck. It is just a natural fascination. I don't like it at all.
local news is very depressing. channel 2 (KPRC - HOU) over sensationalizes everything... from dramatic anchor close ups to 'in your face' graphics, they are the worst.... the others suck too, just not as much...
I remember during last year's flood, they had one of the reporters standing knee deep in water while doing his report...he had these big ol boots on and everything... Only thing was, the water receded five feet behind him, where he could have easily stood on dry land.
That was Captain Fabulous...errr...Robert Arnold. Ask me sometime about that nickname. Arnold is typical of that "look at me, I'm the reporter and everything is DANGEROUS!" report. Of course, Arnold was standing in the water while telling people NOT to get in the water. Idiot. Arnold was at KTRH where the boss there told everyone, "It's our job to scare people." This has become the norm in local reporting. You want people to watch, scare the crap out of them or do something terribly scandalous. Wait until sweeps week and it will be nothing but breast implants, strippers and daring rescue attempts. Maybe they can show file footage of the horse that was stuck in the storm sewer. They actually broke into regular progamming in the middle of the day to show the "terrifying pictures" of a horse that got its hind end stuck in a drain. The horse got out. Whew! That was close. Channel 2 is the worst local television news ever. It is un-watchable.
It's the reason I stopped watching the news several years ago. It's basically somebody died, somebody else died, fire, your taxes are going up, car wreck where somebody died, sports, weather, goofy story to make you laugh, and see ya tomorrow.
What do you want in news? What could you USE out of your news? Crime does sell. Blood does sell we watch on the news the same as folx rubber necking making my FRICKIN commute and hour long!!! I don't wanna see the adopt-a-pup crap everyday either. . . I hate the way they gore you out .. . then go to A LIGHTER NOTE! Rocket River
Actually, I think this is a GREAT question. Obviously, we have to set different standards for national and local news not so much in quality but in what is being covered. Local news cannot cover national and world news nearly as well, so what do you want out of your local news??? For me, I would rather the local news didn't cover national or world news unless it was relevant to us locally for some specific reason (I hate the story about some bill in congress where they quote a local congressman just to get the local angle - this isn't a newspaper, there is limited time) or it was just a huge story that needed to be told. I also don't want to hear the local police blotter or see pictures of burning houses. Fires and shootings always rank at the top of the local news because they are sensational and they are easy. It isn't tough to run a police or fire report you get off of the radio or over the phone and some live camera shots taken with a helicopter. Big freakin' deal. I'd like to know more about local community issues, political issues, education stuff, local businesses in-depth...I want to hear about things that actually are of value to us locally. To me, crime should be only a very small portion of the news unless it is part of a local policy issue. With newscasts running at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm (and even some at 4!!!), they can afford to do more in-depth local stories really covering the issues. Sure, re-run some of the key headlines, but do it quickly and get on with stuff that keeps us aware of what is happening locally on a bigger scale. Oh, and please no more "rat and roach" reports. These things are so highly biased, it is hilarious. They cannot mention everyone, so DON'T DO IT! Mainly, I'd like to see them covering stories that are ongoing more than things that have already happened. I mean, a big wreck or a fire or a shooting is done and over with. I want to know the stuff that I can actually do something about or the stuff that will continue after the fire, wreck or shooting. I don't just want to stand by and gawk at the spectacle.
Maybe for news but their sports is worth watching. I still think Sports Sunday is the best weekend sports show. They give more love to the Rockets AND Comets than anyone...no one else shows the teams top plays of the week. os
How is Channel 2 Sports since Craig Roberts left?. He, Berman on FOX, and Tim Melton (for whatever reason) are the sportscasters I enjoyed watching the most when I was in Houston.
its not just in houston. here in chicago thats all they say on the local news. its like 'a ten year old boy was killed today. murderer is still at large. now for our in depth look at how fast food had dangerous poisons in it that could kill you or cause brain tumors." it really blows there is no point.
