2024: Local TV Stations Thrive Amidst Political Surge and Viewer Evolution
2024 is shaping up to be a significant year for newsrooms worldwide, with a multitude of elections scheduled. This surge in political activity is not only driving news consumption but also boosting revenue for local TV stations, particularly in advertising and retransmission fees. Meanwhile, viewing habits are evolving, with Americans increasingly turning to online sources and social media for news.
Local TV stations continue to command the largest audience compared to cable and network stations. A staggering 86% of Americans regularly access news on smartphones, computers, or tablets. To keep up with these changing dynamics, Graham Media Group has implemented automation for official graphics across its local news stations in the US. This innovation, powered by Ross Video's technology like XPression and Streamline Pro, enables local broadcasters to compete with national broadcasters using modern, high-quality graphics.
Graham Media Group employs 'super-templates' to create and distribute consistent, on-brand graphics from a single creative hub. Automated data ingestion and templated graphics streamline the process, making it easier for newsrooms to distribute content across multiple platforms. This not only ensures brand consistency but also allows newsrooms to focus more on storytelling and less on production tasks.
As we approach 2024, the news landscape is witnessing a perfect storm of increased political activity, evolving viewer habits, and technological advancements. Local TV stations, bolstered by automation and modern graphics, are well-positioned to navigate these changes and maintain their dominant audience share. Moreover, with younger US adults trusting social media information as much as national news outlets, the role of local news in shaping public opinion remains as crucial as ever.
