How COVID-19 Has Changed Media and TV News
It's been just over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and we're still feeling the side effects: people are working from home and large events and gatherings are still on hiatus. You can even see the impact if you turn on the TV to watch the nightly news. The media is a reflection of what’s happening in society, and when it comes to the way the news is covered, some of the coronavirus changes may be here to stay.
At Media Minefield, we provide crisis communication, earned media and social media management services. Our team helps corporations, brands, companies and individuals identify their own unique message to share through thought leadership, social media and news interviews on a variety of platforms: TV, newspapers, magazines, online articles and podcasts.
A portion of our work involves keeping in close contact with journalists across the country every day. It’s something each one of our team members understands quite well. After all, we all worked in newsrooms at some point! In order to effectively share your message through earned media interviews, understanding and recognizing these changes is key. Because of our combined experience, we have a keen understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the news industry over the last year.
Zoom Interviews
Prior to the pandemic, almost all TV news interviews were done either in-person with a reporter or in-studio with an anchor. When I was working as a reporter, I was always paired with a photographer who would shoot video while I wrote the story scripts and conducted interviews. Now, many younger reporters are multimedia journalists, which means they shoot, write and edit their news stories on their own, often lugging around hundreds of pounds in camera equipment.
COVID-19 has changed all of that. Recording an interview can now be done with the click of a button via Zoom or other video platforms. Reporters and their interviewees don’t need to meet in person to chat.
This era of virtual interviews has proven to be extremely beneficial for our clients. They no longer need to block off hours on their schedules for an entire crew to come to their office. Video conferencing has also opened up a variety of possibilities when it comes to connecting with potential clients and customers. With just an internet connection, you can share your story with people across the globe, not just those in your own backyard.
You need more than just a snazzy background for an effective virtual interview though. Over the last year, we have all seen our fair share of Zoom interview fails. Now more than ever, media coaching is crucial. Our media coaches understand the nuances of virtual interviewing and help clients use it to their advantage.
Changes in Viewership Habits
The pandemic has also changed the way we watch and consume news. Whether it’s cell phones or televisions, we are in front of screens more than ever. According to a recent study, more than half of people who are working from home have a television on while they are working! People are watching more news now, and the audience watching is younger and more diverse. The pandemic, combined with widespread social unrest across this country in the summer of 2020, were both factors in this increased interest. With more eyeballs watching newscasts, our clients have a louder microphone for their message to be heard by a larger audience who may not have heard it before.
Job Loss and Layoffs
Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused further financial hardship in the TV business, which was already struggling before COVID-19. In March, Sinclair Broadcasting laid off 5% of their workforce, or nearly 500 employees, blaming the decision on the devastating financial impact of the pandemic.
With fewer journalists working at TV stations, there is increased competition for air time among communications firms and their clients. It’s more important than ever for our team to work at the speed of news and identify ideas that resonate with reporters. Our experience as trained journalists gives us that unique ability and insight, and it’s working! In a year dominated by breaking news, I’m proud to say Media Minefield secured interviews for our clients in more than 100 media markets in the U.S. and Canada in 2020.
Understanding the TV news business and the way journalists work is the key to successful earned media coverage. Our team has adapted to these changes and is constantly pivoting. We may not wear masks forever, but some of the changes brought on by the pandemic in the news business are here to stay.