I decided to analyze the local CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC nightly news programs individually and together. One might think the two news programs would essentially be the same, but they are quite different. I should state that I do not watch the nightly news because I think those programs are more about sensationalism and ratings than reporting the news in an objective manner. I mention my news watching habits in order to illustrate my lack of knowledge regarding these programs. With that being said, I tried my best to be objective. The ultimate goal was to determine which news station reported the news in the most objective manner, thus being the most credible source of information.
The first CBS news segment (stories that take place before the first set of commercials) began with a male and female anchor, Don Shelby and Amelia Santaniello, respectively, sitting at their studio desk introducing the top stories / local stories – a missing girl is found, old school parenting, President Obama’s ability to fire private workers, and the weather conditions in Fargo. The anchors first spoke with Chris Shaffer who was reporting from the studio regarding mostly the weather forecast for Fargo and to a lesser extent, the metro area. Chris delivered the weather forecast with a matter-of-fact delivery. The weather forecast transitioned into a live report by Bill Hudson from Moorhead regarding the effects of the flood on businesses and residents. This story’s pace (a sense of urgency in the voices) and tone (serious) carried over into the rest of the stories prior to the teaser story before the first set of commercials. Amelia promoted the station’s website at the end of this story as a way that viewers could send money to help the flood victims. The teaser stories were delivered by the anchors in a serious tone which was surprising since one of the stories was about Tubby Smith, the University of Minnesota’s mens basketball coach. The other teaser story was about their special report on parenting.
The second CBS news segment had a serious tone, but not quite the same sense of urgency as in segment one. This segment contained both of the special reports, two local stories, and a more in-depth weather forecast than the one presented in the first segment with more time spent on the metro area rather than Fargo. Amelia promoted the station’s website at the end of both special reports and one of the local stories. In addition to Amelia’s promotion of the station’s website, CBS ran a promo before the second set of commercials began. The promo was comical as it self promoted the station’s website and how viewers could get help picking their brackets for the NCAA mens college basketball tournament.
The third and fourth CBS news segments were devoted exclusively to sports. The segments were reported by Mike Max who delivered the various local professional and amateur stories in an upbeat, enthusiastic manner whilst sitting at the studio desk. There were no teasers or promos at the end of either segment.
The fifth CBS news segment was light-hearted as this segment contained a comical promo regarding the station’s website which contained information about the DTV conversion, and a national story about an indoor polar plunge in Michigan that raised funds for the Special Olympics. I found it interesting that there was not a recap of the day’s top stories, only a recap of the weather forecast. The two anchors, Chris, and Mike were happy and smiling as they thanked the viewers for watching, and talked amongst each other as the show ended.
The times for the segments were 10:35, 11:00, 2:30, 1:00, and 1:05, respectively. In addition there was 9:50 of commercials. There were seven male and one female reporters used throughout the program. If we count the introduction to the top stories as local stories, then local stories were reported at a rate of approximately 9:1 when compared to national stories. If the special reports are included in the local stories, then the ratio of local to national stories becomes 14:1. The top three amounts of time for this program are as follows: 29% local stories (top stories included), 28.1% commercials, and 14.3% special reports. National news was 3.1%.
The first ABC news segment began with a male and female anchor, John Mason and Leah Mclean, respectively, sitting at their studio desk reporting on the top stories - the Red River flooding and a MN man found dead in Mexico. The anchors first spoke with Tim Sherno who was reporting from the studio on the Mexico story. Then Jennifer Griswold reported live from Fargo by the Red River, followed by Bob McNaney who was reporting live from the Fargo Dome. These stories set the pace (a sense of urgency in the voices) and tone (serious) for the rest of the stories prior to the teaser stories before the first set of commercials. The teaser stories were delivered in a less serious manner, and tried to entice the viewers not to turn the channel by promoting their special report on superheroes in Minneapolis.
The second ABC news segment began with the special report. In and of itself, this was the story that received the most air time (4:30). Chris O’Connell reported from the streets of downtown Minneapolis where he walked around with several superheroes. The superheroes proceeded to show Chris their weapons (these are legal) that they carried. Then an interview with a Minneapolis police officer was shown. The officer stated that he was worried these superheroes could become vigilantes. The story ended with Chris talking with the superheroes about their various acts of goodwill towards the community. The reporter almost seemed to be mocking the superheroes as he talked with them about their patrols.
The stories between the special report and the weather carried the same less serious tone and pace as the special report, but without the mocking. Once the weather started, the tone got more serious and urgent as Dave Dahl reported on the weather up in Fargo. This tone changed immediately when the teaser stories for the third segment were played. All of these stories occurred in the studio.
The third ABC news segment was devoted exclusively to sports. This segment was reported by Phil Aldridge who delivered the various local professional and amateur stories in an upbeat, enthusiastic manner whilst sitting at the studio desk. There were no teasers at the end of this segment.
The fourth ABC news segment began with the only national news story, followed by the show’s wrap up. The wrap up consisted of the two anchors, Dave, and Phil sitting around the studio desk smiling. Dave gave one last weather report, and the anchors thanked the viewers whilst engaging in happy banter amongst themselves.
The times for the segments were 9:10, 9:50, 3:05, and 0:45, respectively. In addition there was 12:10 of commercials. There were seven male and two female reporters used throughout the program. If we count the top stories as local stories, then local stories were reported at a rate of approximately 22:1 when compared to national stories. If the special report is included in the local stories, then the ratio of local to national stories becomes 30:1. The top three amounts of time for this program are as follows: 34.8% commercials, 29.8% local stories (top stories included), and 12.9% special report. National news was 1.4%.
The first FOX news segment began with a male and female anchor, Jeff Passolt and Robyn Robinson, respectively, sitting at their studio desk reporting on the top stories – a possible Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) cover-up and the Red River flooding. The anchors first spoke with Tom Lyden who was reporting from the studio on the possible MPD cover-up. Tom spoke with a rapid pace and serious tone. It was very easy to hear his opinion on this story (he gave me the sense this was absolutely a conspiracy theory regarding a corrupt police department with corrupt police officers). Ian Leonard spoke next regarding the Fargo and metro area forecast. Ian spoke much slower and without accusation in his voice. Leah Beno reported live from Fargo about the snow and flooding. This story’s pace (a sense of urgency in her voice) and tone (serious) was conveyed throughout the rest of the first segment stories, including teaser stories before the first set of commercials.
The second FOX news segment began with a short local story followed by the special report. In and of itself, this was the story that received the most air time (5:10). Jeff Baillon reported on the radiation delivered to patients during heart ct scans. This story was mentioned at the start of the newscast during the introduction and in the first set of teaser stories. Each time this special report was mentioned, the phrase, these high tech machines may be causing cancer, was spoken. Obviously, these words were chosen for their impact on the audience. This whole report was nothing but a classic case of sensationalism. Even though the report did include a secret investigation in which a hidden camera was used by a woman trying to get information on any potential risks associated with heart ct scans, the report was so sensationalized that I would have turned it off if not for this assignment. This segment finished with promos for the 9:30 and 10:00 news.
The third FOX news segment was entirely devoted to national stories which were sensationalized, but not anywhere near as bad as the special report in the second segment. This segment also finished with promos for the 9:30 and 10:00 news.
The times for the segments were 12:55, 7:05, and 2:10, respectively. In addition there was 7:50 of commercials. There were five male and two female reporters used throughout the program. If we count the top stories as local stories, then local stories were reported at a rate of approximately 6.5:1 when compared to national stories. If the special report is included in the local stories, then the ratio of local to national stories becomes 7.5:1. The top three amounts of time for this program are as follows: 38.3% local stories, 26.1% commercials, and 17.2% special report. National news was 5.8%.
The first NBC news segment began with a male anchor, Rick Kupchella, who was filling in for the normal anchors, Mike Pomerantz and Julie Nelson. Rick was sitting at the studio desk reporting on the top stories - the Lake Phalen attack, the Conficker Worm, and the Senate recount. Rick first spoke with Karla Hult who was reporting from the studio on the Lake Phalen attack story. Then Scott Saroka reported from the studio on the Conficker Worm story. These stories set the pace (a sense of urgency in the voices) and tone (serious) for the rest of the stories prior to the teaser stories before the first set of commercials. The teaser stories were delivered in a less serious manner, and tried to entice the viewers not to turn the channel by promoting their special report on older workers and that the weather forecast was still yet to come.
The second NBC news segment began with the special report. In and of itself, this was the story that received the most air time (5:40). Allen Costantini reported on the hardships facing senior workers. I think this special report was meant to come off as heartwarming, but it sort of felt like Allen was trying to stick it to the viewers a little bit by showing them how hard their lives could be. It very much reminded me of a Simpson’s episode in which the local news broadcaster, Kent Brockman, was at a local soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. Kent looks into the camera and says, “Oh we have lots of names for these people. Bums, deadbeats, losers, scums of the earth, we'd like to sweep these people into the gutter, or if already in the gutter, to some other out of the way place. Oh we have our reasons. They're depressing, their ragged clothes, they're crazy, they smell bad. So every year on one concience salving day, we toss these people a bone. A turkey bone. And that's supposed to make it all better.” He concludes his broadcast by saying something like, as you eat your turkey, this reporter hopes you choke just a little bit. The teasers for this segment were lighthearted as they previewed the second special report on outdoor baseball.
The third NBC news segment started with sports, which was reported by Randy Shaver who delivered the various local professional and amateur stories in an upbeat, enthusiastic manner whilst sitting at the studio desk. Randy introduced the second special report on outdoor baseball. Erik Perkins did a story on a student run whiffleball league in Lakeville. Erik interviewed a lot of the students whilst playing in a game of whiffleball. This was done comedically as Erik drank some orange juice and was then thrown out of the league for “juicing”. This segment ended with a teaser for a national story about a 5000 calorie burger available at a minor league baseball team’s stadium.
The fourth NBC news segment began with the only national news story, followed by the show’s wrap up. The wrap up consisted of Rick, Belinda, and Randy sitting around the studio desk smiling. Belinda gave one last weather report, and Rick and Randy thanked the viewers whilst engaging in happy banter amongst themselves.
The times for the segments were 7:25, 9:50, 5:00, and 1:35, respectively. In addition there was 11:10 of commercials. There were four male and two female reporters used throughout the program (these numbers represent the split between male and female reporters if the two normal anchors were conducting the news program instead of just the single male anchor used in this particular broadcast). If we count the top stories as local stories, then local stories were reported at a rate of approximately 10:1 when compared to national stories. If the special reports are included in the local stories, then the ratio of local to national stories becomes 21:1. The top three amounts of time for this program are as follows: 31.9% commercials, 21.9% special report, and 19.3% local stories (top stories included). National news was 1.9%.
Here are my impressions for each station’s newscast. First I’ll start with CBS. CBS did the best job of promoting their website. CBS introduced the top stories of the night, but didn’t get to these stories until later in the broadcast. This was the only station that didn’t start with the top stories. CBS devoted two segments entirely to sports, so it comes as no surprise that CBS spent the most amount of time covering sports. CBS was the only station to have only one female reporter, but they were also the only station to have a minority reporter. Overall, CBS tried to incorporate more humor into their stories and promos, and really downplayed sensationalism. The stories were, for the most part, delivered in a matter-of-fact manner.
The second station was ABC. ABC devoted the most time to the top stories, had the most commercials, and had the lowest amount of special report and national news time. Thus, ABC had the greatest ratio of local to national news. ABC used the most reporters for their stories and really emphasized “live” reporting. ABC seemed to promote sensationalism, especially through the special report. As I watched the special report, it seemed like I was watching a comic book movie. The police are worried about these superheroes becoming vigilantes (this is the premise of Batman, Spiderman, and countless other comic books). There were many interviews with flood victims; showing people in emotional stress, thus supporting my preconceived belief that nightly news is very sensationalized and concerned with rating. It seems that ABC prefers to use women in more serious roles than men. Women never did the “softer” stories. Instead, they were anchors, reporting live on the top stories, or representing the national news that ABC was covering. Men were used for less serious roles such as sports, weather, and the special report. I wonder if men are used in these lesser roles because the station is making a feminist statement, which in essence is condescending and discriminatory.
The third station was FOX. FOX spent the most time of any station on national news stories which also lead to the smallest ratio of local to national news stories. FOX was the only station to have zero sports time, probably because sports would be covered in the 9:30 news. FOX had the fewest commercials, probably because they used non-news time for their own promos (they had the most amount of time devoted to promos by an almost 2:1 ratio to the next station). To be fair though, FOX did have the shortest amount of teaser time. By far this was the hardest station to watch because FOX oozes with sensationalism.
The fourth station was NBC. NBC devoted the most time of any station to special reports and weather. NBC used the least amount of reporters and had the best ratio of male to female reporters. NBC had the fewest number of stories; perhaps deciding that less news stories was more. NBC seemed to have the best camaraderie between reporters as I actually believed that all reporters liked each other. Overall, NBC seemed to deliver the news stories in an objective manner by not succumbing to sensationalism.
Overall, I think CBS best represents my own personal idea of what news should look like; racial and gender variety along with a more balanced ratio of local to national stories. There was very little sensationalism and thus made me take the reporters more seriously. On the flip-side, I thought FOX was the worst news station because I feel that they are way too concerned with sensationalism. I was expecting NBC to be the best station and FOX to be the worst. Well, as it turns out, I was half right. I believe this analysis has been as objective as possible, largely because FOX airs my favorite show of all time, The Simpson, and is my personally most watched channel.
STORY
TIME (MIN:SEC)
CBS WCCO 4 NEWS Top Stories reported by studio anchors Don Shelby and Amelia Santianiello
Introduction
0:40
Missing girl found
Old school parenting
President Obama's ability to fire anyone
Freezing temps and snow in Fargo
Weather
0:55
Chris Shaffer reporting from studio
Fargo and metro forecast
Local Story
Flooding in Fargo
3:15
Bill Hudson reporting live from Moorhead
Snow has tapered off
Keep businesses closed for one more day
Interviewed two women residents
Interviewed male Cass County sheriff
Hospitals now taking in patients
Businesses being open might interfere with traffic of residents being allowed to go back home
Before and After pictures of Fargo flooding
Amelia promoted website which has a link for viewers to send money to Fargo area
Local Story
Shooting in Mpls
0:30
Lee Fong shot by Mpls police officer
Gun found at crime scene was previously cataloged in MPD evidence room
Family of Fong is accusing MPD of planting the gun at the crime scene
Trial for family lawsuit against MPD in May
Local Story
Duluth school lock down
0:25
Police believe a student called in a false report
Local Story
Missing girl
1:30
John Lauritsen reporting from studio
Man drove girl from Lacrosse, WI to his home in Burnsville on Friday
Police returned girl home on Sunday
The two met through social websites such as facebook, myspace, and tagged
Girl is 13 and man is 32 years old
Man has possessing child porn on his record
Girl's parents helped police
Man has not been charged yet, so his name is not revealed
Man could be charged with felonies in Lacrosse and Dakota counties
Local Story
Itasca County sheriff, Gregory Snyder
0:30
Charged with having sex with a 19 year old male
Started abusing victim when he was 13 years old
Bribed victim with gifts and money
Snyder faces three dozen felonies
Snyder is on paid leave
Local Story
Townhome fire in Mpls
0:20
No one hurt
National Story
Stock Market
0:45
Looking for rebound from worst drop in weeks
President Obama's stance against car companies caused drop
Chrysler merger with Fiat would get company bailout money from government
Teaser for after the commercials
0:45
Can President Obama fire a private worker
Gopher's basketball coach, Tubby Smith
Children discipline
Commercials
2:40
Local Story
GM
2:40
Jason Durusha reporting from the studio
President Obama told GM that if they wanted bailout money, the GM president would have
to be fired
Can President Obama fire a private worker? No
Interviewed Univ of MN law professor Jill Hasday
Congress can't pass a Bill of Attainder
In 1952, Congress passed legislature that limited power of state
President Obams now using the power of the purse
Enron and bailout bank execs were also fired, but not by the President
Amelia promoted website for viewers to comment on Jason's blog
Local Story
NWA
0:20
New Delta signs replace NWA signs at airport as per merger
Special Report
Parenting
3:55
Amelia and her husband, CBS newscaster Frank Vascellaro, reporting from various places
outside studio
Interviewed Frank's mother, Rosalie
Rosalie's opinion is that spanking children is fine
Kids are over scheduled
Interviewed Marti Erickson who is a developmental psychologist
Marti is a radio host on 107.1 fm with her daughter
There are more amber alerts now, so parents are over protective
Competitive parenting has led to spoiled kids
Fathers are around more often in their kid's lives
Amelia promotes website so viewers can see outtakes of Frand and Rosalie
Weather
2:30
Chris Shaffer reporting from studio
12" wet snow = 1" rain
Current conditions and forecast for Fargo and metro area
Special Report - Good to Know
1:05
Don Shelby reporting from studio
Brady Gustafson is a marine who was injured in the line of duty
Received Navy Iron Cross
Saved his fellow soldiers by staying at his weapon to keep firing at enemy even though he was
injured
Amelia promoted website for viewers to see more of this story
Promo for website for picking NCAA college basketball tourney
0:30
Commercials
2:35
Sports
2:30
Mike Max reporting from studio
Tubby Smith's future with the Gophers
Joe Mauer improving
Twins spring training
Wild playoff push
Marian Gaborik
Football team helping out flood victims
Commercials
2:35
Sports
1:00
Mike Max reporting from studio
Concordia College football team helping out flood victims
Commercials
2:00
Promo for website about dtv conversion
0:30
National Story
Indoor polar plunge for Special Olympics in Michigan
0:20
Nightly news wrap up
0:15
Two anchors, Chris, and Max have upbeat banter
One last look at forecast for metro area
Thanks viewers for watching the news
Note: All reports presented by anchors Don Shelby & Amelia Santaniello from WCCO studio unless otherwise noted.
STORY
TIME (MIN:SEC)
ABC KSTP 5 NEWS Top Stories reported by studio anchors Leah Mclean and John Mason
Introduction
Red River Flooding
0:20
Live Coverage
Josh Gunderson was found dead on spring break in Puerto Vallarta
2:10
Tim Sherno reporting from the studio
Interviewed friend and Stillwater hockey coach
Travel alert in Mexico
Josh's death is not believed to be linked with any drug cartel crimes
Flooding
3:45
Jennifer Griswold reporting live from Fargo
New river crest projection
Interviews with volunteers and residents
Live last minute push for sandbagging in Fargo
Studio reports on River rescue
Bob McNaney reporting from Fargo Dome
Coast guard rescuing people with airboats
Interviews with residents reveals this flood is far worse than 1997
Ice chunks on Missouri River in Bismark, ND are breaking away and forming ice jam
Minnesota roads are currently under water
Local Story
Woman, Emily Rosenberg, hired a hitman to kill her stepmother
1:45
Mark Albert reporting from Finlayson (where stepmother lives)
Offered to pay $45,000 in cash + $200 for a shot gun
She told friend who went to police
Undercover police officer arrested the woman
Woman wanted stepmother killed to receive her half of 8M inheritance
Interview with Hennepin County DA
Local Story
35W bridge collapse
0:25
Did the State get cause of collapse wrong
Teaser stories for after the commercials
Horse found in parking lot
0:10
Weather
0:10
Special report - superheroes
0:25
Commercials
2:40
Special report
Superheroes
4:30
Chris O'Connell reporting
Good samaritans looking out for all of us
Walking streets of downtown Minneapolis
Look for superheroes on internet
Superheroes carrying weapons such as stun batons
Police interviewed - worry about these superheroes being vigilantes
Superheroes do make citizen arrests
Spread goodwill
Local Story
Horse in parking lot of Maplewood Costco
0:40
Hugo family rescued horse, and now horse is healthy
Interviewed woman who rescued horse
Animal cruelty charges filed against man who abandoned horse
Local Story
Deputy Dewey is scheduled to be released from hospital on wife's birthday, May 6
0:25
Local Story
Ice fisher plunged into lake in White Bear Lake
0:25
Interviewed woman
Local Story
Senate race is longest political race in MN history
0:30
Introduction to weather
Flood talk - concerned talk amongst anchors and weatherman Dave Dahl
0:05
Weather with Dave Dahl reporting from the studio
3:00
Red River still rising
Weather in Fargo today
Currenty temps and forecast for Twin Cities and Fargo
Teaser stories for after the commercials
0:15
Boys state basketball tourney
Wild recap
Commercials
3:20
Sports with Phil Aldridge reporting from the studio
3:05
Wild in playoff race
Boys state basketball tournament
Hopkins Royals highlights
Jefferson Jaguars highlights
Interview with Jaguar player
Other scores and highlights
Watch coverage on channel 45
Timberwolves lose
Anchors and Phil have upbeat banter
Commercials
3:35
National Story
Shuttle crew takes a victory lap taking pics of earth
0:30
Nightly news wrap up
0:15
Two anchors, Dave, and Phil have upbeat banter
One last look at current temps and tomorrow's forecast for Twin Cities
Thanks viewers for watching the news
Commercials
2:35
Note: All reports presented by anchors John Mason and Leah Mclean from the KSTP studio unless otherwise noted.
STORY
TIME (MIN:SEC)
KMSP FOX 9 NEWS Top Stories reported by studio anchors Jeff Passolt and Robyn Robinson
Introduction
0:50
Police shooting
Red River flooding
Weather preview
High tech heart ct scans
Police cover-up
3:05
Tom Lyden reporting from the studio
Minneapolis police officer shot unarmed Phong Lee on 7-22-06
Officer said he acted in self defense and that Lee was armed
Russian gun found at sight
Gun was not Lees, but planted at scene by police
Gun belonged to Dang Heir who reported the gun stolen in 2004
MPD found gun in 2004 and had it in the evidence locker
Police say gun at crime scene and one in evidence locker are diff
Police say gun in evidence locker was the gun found in 2004 and this gun was not at the crime
scene
Family suspects cover-up
Officer was cleared by Internal Affairs and a grand jury, but issue of planted gun never
discussed
No DNA evidence from Lee found on the gun at the crime scene, nor was there a bullet in the
chamber
Red River flooding
0:15
Fargo bracing for winter storm
Weather
1:30
Ian Leonard reporting from the studio
Fargo and metro area forecast
Local Story
Red River Flooding
2:35
Leah Beno reporting live from Fargo
Second crest of 37 feet
Snowing in Fargo
People evacuating
Interview with Fargo woman resident
Pets being left behind at the fairgrounds
2nd Harvest is sending food
Local Story
Fires
0:35
Townhome fire
Brush fire
Local Story
Commuting to downtown Mpls
2:50
Paul Blume reporting live from downtown Mpls
Construction at Marquette and 2nd
Interviews with a male and female bus rider, the metro transit gm, and mayor Rybak
Goal is for fast track busing btwn south metro and downtown Mpls
Project must be completed by end of this year or grant money is lost
Local Story
Craiglist murder trial
0:40
Closing arguments
Michael Anderson (suspect) not going to plead insanity because he is not sorry
Interview with defense attorney
Teaser stories for after the commercials
0:35
High tech heart ct scans
Why your water may smell funny
Northwest Airlines is changing over to Delta
Commercials
2:20
Promos for Fox News at 10pm and Fox Morning News
0:20
Local Story
0:40
Smelly water in Mpls caused by storm water runoff
Special Report - Fox 9 Investigators
5:10
High tech heart ct scans may lead to cancer
Jeff Baillon reporting from the studio
Interview with Dr. John Allen
Radiation exposure could be cause of 3% of new cancers each year
Interview with Dr. Brian Rank
1 ct scan = 600 chest x-rays
Fox 9 went undercover to see if scanning companies are telling patients about radiation
No one mentioned any risks during the undercover investigation
Promos for the Fox News at 9:30
0:35
St. Paul officials are sending message to gangs to stay away from the Cinco De Mayo
celebration
Nursing home killings in North Carolina
Weather first
Promo for Tue 9pm News story
0:20
Commercials
3:05
National Story
North Korea getting ready to launch missile
0:30
USA will not shoot it down unless it is headed for us
National Story
Mexican army cracking down on drug cartels
0:20
National Story
NATO Summit in France
0:20
National Story
6" fishing sphere from harpoon removed from man's brain in Brazil
0:35
Promos for the Fox News at 9:30
0:15
Can playing video games be good for kid's eyes
President Obama giving auto makers one last chance
Promos for Fox News at 10pm
0:10
Commercials
2:25
Note: All reports presented by anchors Jeff Passolt and Robyn Robinson from the KMSP studio unless otherwise noted.
STORY
TIME (MIN:SEC)
NBC KARE 11 NEWS Top Stories reported by studio anchor Rick Kupchella
(filling in for Mike Pomerantz and Julie Nelson)
Introduction
0:35
Senate recount winner
Computer worm
Lake Phalen attack
Lake Phalen attack
2:20
Karla Hult reporting from studio
Interview with two male citizens
23 year old woman was jumped and beaten whilst jogging around lake
Now citizens are patrolling area
Promote website for more on this story
Conficker worm
2:00
Scott Saroka reporting from studio
Release worm on Aprils Fools Day
Interviewed Brent Remai, Mark Shavlik, and Chris Schwartzbauer about worm capabilities
Will be able to shut down servers
Senate recount
0:30
Local Story
Border buddies
0:15
MN and WI governors will share border duties such as bridge maintenance in order to save
money
Local Story
Craiglist murder
0:30
Verdict coming soon
Weather
0:45
Snow in Alexandria and Fargo
Family living in rv outside of hospital in Fargo gave birth
Teaser stories for after the commercials
0:30
Weather
Hamburger
Older workers in the workplace
Commercials
3:05
Special Report - KARE 11 Extra
Unemployment and older workers
5:40
Allen Costantini reporting from studio
Interviewed Carol Ouhl, Willie Daniels, and Craig Johnson - all are senior workers
Older workers can't retire because of stock market
Interviewed Michelle Kimball, AARP State Director, and Maggie Jensen, Securian
spokesperson
Tips for seniors
Securian company rated very high on AARP list of places to work
Willie starts a new job next week
Federal money given to program that helps low income seniors get jobs
Promoted website for more on this story
Promo for tomorrow night's 10:00 news
0:25
Selling your home
Weather
3:30
Belinda Jensen reporting from studio
Snow and forecast for Fargo and metro area
Teaser stories for after the commercials
0:15
Wild playoff push
Outdoor baseball
Commercials
3:15
Sports
3:05
Randy Shaver reporting from studio
Wild playoff push
Timberwolves lose
McDonalds all-star girls basketball tourney
Twins spring training
Special Report - Perk at Play
Outdoor baseball
1:40
Erik Perkins reporting
Wiffleball league started by students in Lakeville
League website
Teaser stories for after the commercials
0:15
Dietary disaster - hamburger
Commercials
3:00
Local Story
Craiglist murder
0:35
Suspect found guilty
National Story
Hamburger
0:40
Huge 5000 calorie burger sold at a minor league baseball park
Nightly news wrap up
0:20
Anchors, Belinda and Randy have upbeat banter
Promote website for more news
Thanks viewers for watching the news
Commercials
1:50
Note: All reports presented by anchor Rick Kupchella
from the KARE 11 studio unless otherwise noted.
NIGHTLY NEWS COMPARISON (CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC)
TYPES OF CONTENT
#
LENGTH (MIN)
AMOUNT OF SHOW
Local
cbs
8
9:30
27.1%
abc
6
4:10
11.9%
fox
5
7:20
24.4%
nbc
3
1:20
3.8%
National
cbs
2
1:05
3.1%
abc
1
0:30
1.4%
fox
4
1:45
5.8%
nbc
1
0:40
1.9%
Commercials
cbs
4
9:50
28.1%
abc
4
12:10
34.8%
fox
3
7:50
26.1%
nbc
4
11:10
31.9%
Weather
cbs
2
3:25
9.8%
abc
1
3:05
8.8%
fox
1
1:30
5.0%
nbc
2
4:15
12.1%
Sports
cbs
2
3:30
10.0%
abc
1
3:05
8.8%
fox
0
0:00
0.0%
nbc
1
3:05
8.8%
Teasers
cbs
1
0:45
2.1%
abc
2
1:00
2.9%
fox
1
0:35
1.9%
nbc
3
1:00
2.9%
Top Story
cbs
0
0:40
1.9%
abc
2
6:15
17.9%
fox
2
4:10
13.9%
nbc
3
5:25
15.5%
Sign-off
cbs
1
0:15
0.7%
abc
1
0:15
0.7%
fox
0
0:00
0.0%
nbc
1
0:20
0.9%
Promotional
cbs
2
1:00
2.9%
abc
0
0:00
0.0%
fox
5
1:40
5.6%
nbc
1
0:25
1.2%
Special Report
cbs
2
5:00
14.3%
abc
1
4:30
12.9%
fox
1
5:10
17.2%
nbc
2
7:20
21.9%
Reporters (M / F)
cbs
7 / 1
abc
7 /2
fox
5 / 2
nbc
4 / 2
Reporters is defined as all people covering a story. This includes anchors, weathermen, and sports casters.
For NBC, the number of reporters is based on the normal anchors used, not the substitute anchor only.
WEEK 4 POST - CRITICAL APPROACHES TO MEDIA TEXTS
15 years ago
