Every day, TV newsrooms are flooded with potential stories. From press releases to breaking news tips, producers and editors must sift through hundreds of possibilities and decide what makes it to air. If you’ve ever wondered why some stories dominate the headlines while others barely make a blip, you’re not alone. Here’s an inside look at how TV newsrooms make those tough editorial decisions.

The Editorial Decision-Making Process

The process of selecting stories is a careful balancing act influenced by several key factors. While each newsroom may have its unique priorities, most decisions revolve around the following considerations:

🎤 Relevance to the Audience

Newsrooms exist to serve their viewers. Local TV news, in particular, prioritizes stories that resonate with the community. This means focusing on stories that directly impact the audience, whether it’s new legislation, a significant crime event, or a heartwarming local success story.

Key Question: Why does this matter to our viewers?

🎤 Timeliness

News is, by definition, about what’s new. Events happening now or developments that tie into a current trend or issue are more likely to be covered. A two-week-old press release won’t get the same attention as breaking news or a fresh angle on a timely topic.

Key Question: Is this happening now, or is it still relevant today?

🎤 Visual Appeal

TV is a visual medium, so stories with compelling visuals often rise to the top of the list. Footage of a community event, weather damage, or even a well-produced video accompanying a press release can make the difference. Conversely, stories without strong visuals may be less likely to air. Most TV news stations will prefer to shoot their own video instead of using your pre-packaged materials. When pitching to a newsroom, include details on what a photographer will be able to shoot if they cover your story. If there aren't any visual options, provide some suggestions on how to address that. Make your pitch as well-rounded as possible.

Key Question: What can we show on camera that will engage viewers?

🎤 Human Interest

People connect with stories that evoke emotion. Heartfelt narratives, stories of triumph over adversity, or those with a personal angle often stand out in a crowded field of pitches. If a story has a “wow” factor or makes people say, “I can’t believe that happened,” it’s more likely to get airtime.

Key Question: Does this story have a strong emotional or human element?

🎤 Newsworthiness

The concept of “newsworthiness” includes factors like conflict, controversy, prominence, and impact. A car accident might make the news if it disrupts a major freeway during rush hour, but a fender bender on a side street probably won’t. Similarly, a public figure’s actions are more likely to be covered than those of an average citizen. 

Key Question: Does this story have significance beyond the ordinary?

🎤 Balance and Variety

Newsrooms want to provide a mix of stories to keep viewers engaged. While hard-hitting news may lead the broadcast, lighter stories often follow to provide relief. Producers aim for a balance of local, national, and international stories, as well as a mix of serious and feel-good content. The amount of variety will change based on the broadcast. A morning show, for example, may feature a wider variety than an evening newscast. Watch the newscasts before you pitch a story to better understand the type of content producers are wanting to include in their shows.

Key Question: How does this story fit into the overall lineup?

🎤 Resources and Feasibility

Newsrooms often operate with limited time, staff, and equipment. A story that requires hours of travel or extensive investigation may be set aside in favor of something easier to produce. Breaking news can also bump planned stories due to its immediacy.

Key Question: Do we have the resources to cover this effectively?

🎤 Ethical Considerations

Journalists adhere to ethical guidelines when choosing stories. That's what makes journalists different from posts on social media or influencers. Sensationalism, graphic content, or privacy concerns can lead to certain stories being edited or avoided altogether. Newsrooms also weigh whether covering a story could do harm, such as re-traumatizing victims or spreading misinformation. It's also not a journalist's job to report rumors you see online. Just because you keep seeing something on social media doesn't make it news or, more importantly, factual. 

Key Question: Is this story ethical to report?

Why Stories Get Skipped

Even a great story idea can fail to make the cut. Here’s why:

• Timing Issues: If the newsroom is already at capacity with breaking news or major events, less urgent stories might be set aside.

• Insufficient Details: Vague pitches without clear facts, sources, or visuals often don’t make it past the initial review.

• Lack of Local Angle: National or global stories without a connection to the local audience may not be prioritized.

• Competing Stories: If multiple stories of similar importance arise, editors must choose the one with broader appeal or stronger visuals.

How You Can Increase Your Story’s Chances

If you’re trying to get a story covered, here are some tips to make it stand out:

Provide a Clear Angle: Explain why your story matters to the station’s audience.

Include Visuals: Offer high-quality photos or videos that enhance the story or include details on what a TV station can shoot themselves if they pick up your idea.

Be Timely: Pitch your story well in advance, but not so early that it feels stale. Usually 3-5 days in advance is a good starting point.

Focus on People: Highlight human elements that evoke emotion or curiosity. If you pitch a story about a local non-profit's impact on its clients, take the time to find and confirm a client who will speak to a reporter. If a reporter calls and has to wait additional days to get an interview, they may move on. Do the work before the pitch.

Be Available: Ensure spokespersons or key players are accessible for interviews on the same day you pitch the story. If a reporter calls wanting to do it, they need someone immediately. Don't pitch a story if interview subjects are out of town, on vacation, or busy with meetings.

🎥 🗞️ 🎤

Understanding how TV newsrooms work can help you understand their choices and make your next pitch more successful. While not every story can make it to air, focusing on relevance, timeliness, and visual appeal can give your story a better chance of getting picked up and making it on the air.

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