Local TV News And The "Last Minute Super Bowl Preps"

--First mentioned on twitter.com/JeffParsonsDC -- follow JeffParsonsDC --
Here's another reason local TV news is wimpering into oblivion. In prime time in DC tonight, a local station started their teases with "Last minute Super Bowl preps...." It was also in the pre-show tease in the final minutes of the prime time programming. There was no specific reason to watch that newscast. There was no specific connection to DC. It's a sign of what is causing the pain in local TV news. Newsrooms have time to fill... and they often fill it with little real thought into what is really being said and seen. Just because we/they can grab a voiceover or some b-roll for a story doesn't mean it should be in the newscast.

How about these ideas for local TV news teases for the Super Bowl: "We found a way for you to still get a 50 inch flatscreen TV for your Super Bowl party tomorrow." (I found one.) "Don't want to watch the game at home? See where DC's stars will be tomorrow at game time". These are horrible teases. But, they offer something more specific and something that is a takeaway as a viewer. It is NOT the "last minute Super Bowl preps... tonight at 11." Give me something that warrants my time.

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