A study of the changing television newsrooms with the diffusion of internet technologies

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The Internet has revolutionized the way local television newsrooms operate. From news promotion to newscasts, almost every element of daily work within a local television station has changed with the diffusion of Internet technologies. This research explores the numerous changes, both positive and negative. The research also examines what the future holds for local television news stations. The researcher interviewed key employees and managers at two local newsrooms with overlapping audiences, WBKO in Bowling Green, KY and WSMV in Nashville, TN. The two stations were selected due to their proximity and overlapping audience, but also because of their significantly different market sizes. This similarity and difference offered a unique opportunity to not only examine how local television newsrooms have changed with the diffusion of the Internet, but also at how the market size has influenced how rapidly the diffusion occurred.