ABSTRACT
On some television networks, major news broadcasts begin with a sequence of brief news headlines providing an overview of the main stories of the day. Headlines also serve as devices for hooking the audience right at the beginning of the programme. The format of headline presentation is not exactly the same on all networks. On some programmes, for example, the main stories of the day are summarised in brief by the newscaster on camera before he or she gets underway with reading the stories in more detail. On other shows, the headlines may be read out over captions, stills, or short film clips before the newscaster appears on screen. In the United States, for example, some stations use this technique to promote local and network newscasts. Typically, a promo prior to a station break will highlight three or four stories with headlines; then, after the commercial break, fuller details follow in the newscast itself.
