General Discussion

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts) Thu Jul 4, 2013, 05:52 AM Jul 2013

TV 'breaking news' reports sound urgent because of coaching help

There's a reason local television newscasts tend to sound similarly breathless, say those who ponder these things.

A major California consulting firm, SmithGeiger, advises its broadcast news clients to inject urgency into news reporting with a set of proven phrases, according to broadcast writing coach Mervin Block.

The phrases, he said, include these:

We begin with breaking news tonight.
This story is rapidly changing.
You saw it here first just minutes ago.
Take a live look behind me.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/TV-breaking-news-reports-sound-urgent-because-4645091.php

9 replies

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Highlight:

TV 'breaking news' reports sound urgent because of coaching help (Original Post) Sherman A1 Jul 2013 OP

sounds like CNN, they seem to have constant "breaking news" JI7 Jul 2013 #1

Apparently they all read from the same Sherman A1 Jul 2013 #2

Take a live look behind me ? dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #3

It's a clown show. East Coast Pirate Jul 2013 #4

I can not tell the difference between Ilsa Jul 2013 #5

The drama is better written n/t Fumesucker Jul 2013 #6

Reminds me... BadgerKid Jul 2013 #7

Great! Sherman A1 Jul 2013 #8

LOL! pinboy3niner Jul 2013 #9

JI7

(93,906 posts)

1. sounds like CNN, they seem to have constant "breaking news"

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 06:01 AM

Jul 2013

these days.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

2. Apparently they all read from the same

Reply to JI7 (Reply #1)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 06:07 AM

Jul 2013

"breaking news, this just in" playbook...............

I guess it's hardly a surprise, "but first we must pause for this 55 minute commercial break, then we will be back with 5 minutes of pseudo news for this hour."

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)

3. Take a live look behind me ?

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 06:10 AM

Jul 2013

Has he/she got a tail ?

I have noticed that your news presentation differs considerably from here in the UK.

East Coast Pirate

(775 posts)

4. It's a clown show.

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 06:10 AM

Jul 2013

Ilsa

(64,574 posts)

5. I can not tell the difference between

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 06:26 AM

Jul 2013

Tv journalism and tv drama any more. And that's why I rarely watch it anymore.

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)

6. The drama is better written n/t

Reply to Ilsa (Reply #5)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 06:28 AM

Jul 2013

BadgerKid

(5,029 posts)

7. Reminds me...

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 07:01 AM

Jul 2013

"How did this all get started, Colin?"

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

8. Great!

Reply to BadgerKid (Reply #7)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 07:02 AM

Jul 2013

pinboy3niner

(53,339 posts)

9. LOL!

Reply to BadgerKid (Reply #7)

Thu Jul 4, 2013, 07:17 AM

Jul 2013

Their Mission Improbable improvs were hilarious, too (usually featuring Colin and Ryan). "The cat!"

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