Now more than ever, we need trusted, reliable news and there's a clear answer for where to go for that, and its local broadcast tv news. Trust in local news remains strong but studies have shown that few people are willing to climb a paywall and pay for it.
Thankfully, today’s media landscape offers more free access points to local broadcast news than ever before, whether it's through OTA, FAST or local station websites and apps, local broadcast TV continues to be a pillar of trusted journalism - and best of all, it's free and readily available.
Top for Trust
TVB's studies, conducted by respected market research companies like Dynata Nielsen NPower, have consistently found that local broadcast TV news is the number one source for news, not just local news, but all news in general as well as the most trusted.
Local broadcast TV has cultivated an important bond with its viewers. Audiences feel connected to the local news anchors and meteorologists who have been their source of news for everyday events, traffic, weather and so much more.
Local broadcasters also adhere to long-standing journalism standards and offer a credibility that stands out amid the noise of click-driven digital content and misinformation online.
Worth the Price: Free
Other studies have shown that Americans not only have cut the cord on cable, they've started getting tired of paying for so many different streaming platforms. But local news is more accessible than ever across a variety of platforms - and you can't beat the price point: free.
No Paywalls, No Hassle, No Question
Many sources of local news have put their content behind paywalls but local broadcasters continue to deliver vital news and information for free. From weather emergencies to local elections, to human interest stories, these stations help our communities stay informed, engaged, and safe.
Rather than complaining about the cost of your cable package, or paying for streaming services you never log onto, we should recognize and support the power of existing models, like broadcast TV and FAST channels, that keep local news accessible to all.
With local broadcast television, you don’t have to pay to stay informed!
This article is written by Trisha Ripperger, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications & Category Development at TVB.
Posted at MediaVillage through the Thought Leadership self-publishing platform.
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The opinions expressed here are the author's views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.org/MyersBizNet.