If a TV channel wanted to produce a News programme without Presenters, would that be technically possible? I'm thinking a programme of reports that go from one video to another (not neccessary all live) without links from a Presenter within a Studio. Could this be used as a gimmick by one of the new Local TV stations (it could also keep the costs down...)?
If a TV channel wanted to produce a News programme without Presenters, would that be technically possible? I'm thinking a programme of reports that go from one video to another (not neccessary all live) without links from a Presenter within a Studio.
You mean a bit like EuroNews does, and has for about 15 years ?
Of course it's technically possible, but whether it's editorially easy or desirable is another matter. Links before reports provide context and a structure. Without them the reports would have to be written very differently to the traditional writing style we are familiar with, and there'd be no short items which are just video or soundbites (cover/SOTs) and of course no studio interviews
As for cost, it would save money of course as there's no need for a studio (the actual cost of a presenter is negligible) but for a local TV station to not have a presenter would be a bad idea. With Euronews style presenting there's no way to build up a rapport with the audience.
Last edited by Inspector Sands on 7 April 2013 7:59pm - 2 times in total
Got to be honest I've not seen Euronews so wouldn't know about that! So it is definitely technically possible by the sound of things, but doesn't sound too great. It was just a question walking around my mind and thought you people would be able to answer my question . Thank you for your responses btw.
EuroNews is one of those channels I almost always skip over - and I think it's because it doesn't have presenters. There's something to be said for having a newsreader to pull everything together. It's a bit like the in-vision continuity of old. Having someone 'watch' the output with you and talk you through it is strangely comforting. I don't think continuity has ever been as good since. I for one certainly wouldn't like it to become the norm for news.
It would be very difficult to time the programme.
If your programme is 30 minutes to the dot, you'd have to edit the packages remarkably finely and nothing could go wrong.
A presenter can fill etc to ensure the programme runs to length.
There would be no "live" element in the programme, so updates and breaking news couldn't be done easily.
If package led to package without anything in between, it would feel more disjointed. Presenters provide programme grammar and ease the transition between disparate reports.
These days, many programmes prefer "doughnutting" items (especially US TV) so the presenter throws to live reporter, then package, then presenter/reporter chat. That would be lost.
There would be no news in brief, when a presenter reads stories that aren't packaged.
EuroNews is one of those channels I almost always skip over - and I think it's because it doesn't have presenters. There's something to be said for having a newsreader to pull everything together. It's a bit like the in-vision continuity of old. Having someone 'watch' the output with you and talk you through it is strangely comforting. I don't think continuity has ever been as good since. I for one certainly wouldn't like it to become the norm for news.
Be fair to them, they have got a bulletin schedule if you select information on the EPG.
I believe EuroNews translates the voice over into many languages, which is why it is made up of just VT packages.
Yes. It's a nice way for Spanish students to practice some Spanish listening on Sky, as there are no other Spanish language channels on Sky any more. Just change your preferred language on Sky (do something else on other services) and you can listen to your hearts content in your language of choice.
It would be very difficult to time the programme.
If your programme is 30 minutes to the dot, you'd have to edit the packages remarkably finely and nothing could go wrong.
A presenter can fill etc to ensure the programme runs to length.
That's not a problem for the news channels around the world that are primarily pre-recorded (though with studio content unlike the OP's suggestion).
ISTR that New York 1 ran (and may still run) like this - pre-recording studio links to update them rather than reading live. The production and playout operations were separate, with the playout running pretty much like any automated channel playout.
Keeping a channel on time isn't that tricky - you have buffers like unvoiced weather and finance animations (a bit like the old breakfillers) - and a stack of short "news in briefs" that you can use to fill/or drop to save time.
So it is definitely technically possible by the sound of things, but doesn't sound too great. It was just a question walking around my mind and thought you people would be able to answer my question . Thank you for your responses btw. 
