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L.A. wildfire coverage shows why local TV news matters in a crisis

BBG News

Instead of heading to Netflix during the terrifying spread of the wildfires in Los Angeles on January 7th, residents found themselves too distressed.

During the crisis that affected our area, local news television became the primary source for residents to quickly obtain essential information. Broadcasters and reporters worked tirelessly, both on location and on-air, delivering crucial updates regarding evacuation procedures and damage assessments. Additionally, they offered a significant amount of emotional support throughout their broadcasts.

According to Jonathan Wald, a longtime TV news producer who has worked with both NBC News and CNN, the local stations have been truly outstanding. Despite the unimaginable hardships, they remain well-informed and composed while reporting on events in their communities.

During the era of streaming services, traditional television viewership has dropped significantly and now makes up only half of all video content consumed, as revealed by recent Nielsen statistics. Despite seeing reduced audience sizes and revenue, TV stations have expanded their news coverage programming and also delved into streaming platforms. This shift in focus allowed Los Angeles broadcasting networks to better prepare for a prolonged emergency situation that demanded constant updates on the latest information.

The broadcast of local TV news about destructive wildfires on digital mediums delivered shocking yet captivating footage to an audience far beyond Los Angeles. Wald likened the wildfires to the infamous police chase of O.J. Simpson, which held a nation in its grip during the year 1994.

During the initial week of wildfire coverage, viewership at various stations significantly increased, often doubling or even tripling for their news programs, as indicated by Nielsen’s data. On January 7 alone, over a million viewers tuned in during peak hours. Furthermore, across their digital platforms, hundreds of millions of minutes have been streamed.

Purists who value traditional journalism often perceive local television news as inferior, a view rooted in its past focus on sensational stunts, catchy gimmicks, and lighthearted chatter during studio segments.

Despite accusations of bias against traditional media outlets, it’s worth noting that the majority of viewers still rely on local television news for credible information. A report from The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism revealed that an impressive 62% of Americans trust local TV news, which is more than any network, cable, or digital source.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’ve seen countless stories unfold on screen, but none quite like this one. Over the years, local TV reporters and I have grown deep ties to our community. The flames that ravaged our region were not just news for us; they were personal. My own family and friends were in the crosshairs of the inferno. This was no longer a story about others, it was about us.

One key factor that gives local news its impact is the fact that those delivering the news are personally involved in the story they’re sharing,” noted Andrew Heyward, a previous CBS News president now offering consultancy services to local TV stations. This resonates with viewers as it feels like they have a personal connection with them.

Experienced broadcaster Elex Michaelson from Fox’s KTTV explains that spending numerous years reporting on news and hosting local events allows journalists to establish meaningful relationships with their viewers. This relationship lends them trustworthiness as they share information and offers reassurance during challenging times.

It can be challenging to maintain composure when reporting on a disaster that’s happening close to home, like when Michaelson found out that Agoura Hills, the place where he grew up, needed to be evacuated.

Michaelson began to feel emotional during an interview,” he shared. “When evacuation orders were issued for his area, including my sister’s home, I couldn’t help but picture her hastily taking their newborn and fleeing, unsure if their house would still be standing when they returned.

For several days, Jasmine Viel from CBS station KCAL and her husband Marc Cota-Robles, a native of Orange County who works for Disney-owned KABC, were working long shifts ranging from 12 to 14 hours. Meanwhile, Jasmine’s mother took care of their children in Pasadena. During the initial week of the disaster, they barely had time to meet each other at home, and when they did, they looked at each other in shock.

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Journalists are maintaining composure while narrating the fire incident to the public, all the while grappling with immense losses and checking on the status of their friends’ houses.

In the conversation with The Times, Viel shared that there was simply no point discussing what might occur next since we were all clueless about the future events.

Every television journalist reporting on the wildfires has a personal tale to share about going beyond their professional duties to aid residents. Viel encountered a worried woman in Pasadena who noticed flames nearing a poultry coop containing chickens and ducks behind her home on Altadena Drive. Viel’s camera operator, John Schreiber, whose wife hails from a farming background, handled the birds during their rescue as they were taken to safety.

KTTV’s local anchor, Gigi Graciette, born and raised in Hollywood, emphasizes regularly updating her live broadcast every 25 minutes and informing viewers about the specific block number she is stationed at. This helps the audience assess if they might be impacted by wildfires.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel exasperated when I hear about incidents unfolding in my very own neighborhood, yet I’m left clueless about the specific street where it’s taking place.

Major television networks like CNN and NewsNation have their own reporters at the scene of wildfires, yet they often use footage from local stations such as KABC, KCAL, Spectrum News Los Angeles, and KTLA (which is owned by Nexstar Media Group) for extended live coverage. This collaboration allows them to provide a comprehensive view of events as they unfold.

I, too, have observed that ABC, CBS, and NBC have leaned heavily on their local affiliates for television broadcasts and online news streams during the fire coverage. This strategy allows them to provide a more personalized and timely perspective on the events as they unfold.

In today’s era dominated by video-on-demand, it’s crucial to offer continuous live streaming online. Various television stations stream their news content for free on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Roku.

According to Frank Cicha, the executive vice president of Fox Television Stations, there’s a change in viewer behavior nowadays. “People are no longer content with waiting,” he said, referring to the old days when local television stations could say, “We’ll return later with what you want to see” and still keep their audience. However, that luxury is gone today.

The streaming service, LiveNOW, operated by Fox Television Stations, broadcasts videos from its 29 stations nationwide. For several days, KTTV’s fire coverage was repeatedly shown on LiveNow, which led to a significant 65% surge in traffic, as stated by Emily Stone, the vice president of digital content for Fox.

I found myself captivated by the opportunity to witness real-time, local updates on a significant event unfolding in a major American metropolis that resonates with everyone’s concern, as expressed by Stone.

Expanding our audience beyond Los Angeles has been beneficial for fundraising efforts towards those affected by wildfires and has inspired additional acts of kindness. Following Jeff Nguyen’s interview with a man who lost his home, the owner of an unoccupied house in Laguna Beach generously offered it as temporary housing.

Graciette shared a tale about an 81-year-old ex-Navy serviceman from Altadena, who sadly misplaced his electric wheelchair during the fire. Numerous viewers expressed their intention to replace it for him. A viewer from England watching the story felt moved and decided to make a donation to a veterans organization instead.

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2025-01-19 21:01

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