ABSTRACT
Greater choice and greater ease of selecting that choice have taken their toll on audience tolerance. Instant comparison between broadcast news is now as easy as pressing a button. The key factors in item selection are the story’s significance, its impact on a given audience, its interest, topicality and immediacy. Most of these are related with a good deal of overlap between them. Stations producing longer programmes sometimes combine a running order with a format. An on-screen log shows what kind of stories should go where, and approximately how long each should be. Movie-makers realised years ago that not even a blockbuster of a film can sell itself. For a film to do well at the box office, it has to be promoted. Trailers have to be produced capturing the liveliest action and the snappiest dialogue to show the audience the thrills in store. News producers use similar techniques.
