If that's true, it explains why TV news is so lousy today compared to decades ago. Unfortunately, we assume TV news is about truth and important subjects. It's actually about getting more people to watch. We shouldn't make that assumption. TV news is no different than any comedy or dramatic series.
2007-06-27 07:31:02 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
I know there were TV ratings, but I've heard there used to be no ratings for TV news shows. I don't know.
2007-06-27 14:34:16 · update #1
No, it's not true. Ratings have been going on for many decades, in one form or another. For example, the ratings for "I Love Lucy" were said to be astronomical, especially when she had the baby (80 share?).
You probably would be surprised at what TV news looked like once upon a time. It mostly was anchors reading stories without pictures and graphics. Live reports were unheard of. Digging into stories was for newspapers.
That all said, you are right about the battle for ratings, particularly at local stations. The major networks still do a credible job on a night-in, night-out basis. The affiliates, though, often see the news departments as profit centers, and get too ratings conscious. It is a bit sad that news no longer is viewed as a public service by television stations.
2007-06-27 12:07:08 · answer #1 · answered by wdx2bb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋