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Local new likely can't be disrupted because its existence tailors primarily to those who shun modern technologies. Therefore using new tech to "disrupt it" fund

Local new likely can't be disrupted because its existence tailors primarily to those who shun modern technologies. Therefore using new tech to "disrupt it" fundamentally fails to understand your target audience. For example the "Average" viewer of local news only watches for ~6-12 minutes if you throw out the 60+ demographic which will watch 70min+. On top of that viewer engagement is typically 50-60%, once gain if you throw out the 60+ demo which reaches the 90-95% engagement local news likes to brag about. The 18-29 and 29-39 demo's only have high >70%/90% engagement for traffic/weather. Most other categories are <50-60% The "core" audience local news is tailored too are people who watch news not to gain news, but to be entertained by news. This is also shown by most 18-29 demo believes that news doesn't report in-depth enough, while the 60+ demo feels there aren't enough stories in a given time block. Young crowd wants journalism, old crowd wants to be entertained.

patrickcb 12y ago
Thanks for the feedback, really interesting points. I'd be specifically talking about online local news. With that being said, could a Youtube channel producing short-documentaries similar to Vice's highly successful format engage the 18-29 demographic on local issues? As this news would be more in-depth and as you said this appeals to a younger demographic. What about online websites for local news too? Do you think they can be improved? Currently the local websites near my city (Manchester, UK) only publish restaurant deals, reviews and unimaginative news.
- valarauca1 12y ago
  The problem is, at least the western world. The local news isn't news. Nothing actually happens in our back yards, restaurants open/close, local man gets divorced, local elections, local women fights telephone pole placement, etc. As you limit your content to ~50km you limit what you can report on, and most of it, surprisingly isn't that interesting. CNN airs news 24/7 from around the world, and even they have to greatly hype stories to fill all their air time. And on top of all of this political partisanship with news. You will easily lose 50% of your audience for reporting on a story "wrong" or in disagreement with somebodies political opinions.

patrickcb 12y ago

Thanks for the feedback, really interesting points. I'd be specifically talking about online local news. With that being said, could a Youtube channel producing short-documentaries similar to Vice's highly successful format engage the 18-29 demographic on local issues? As this news would be more in-depth and as you said this appeals to a younger demographic. What about online websites for local news too? Do you think they can be improved? Currently the local websites near my city (Manchester, UK) only publish restaurant deals, reviews and unimaginative news.

valarauca1 12y ago
The problem is, at least the western world. The local news isn't news. Nothing actually happens in our back yards, restaurants open/close, local man gets divorced, local elections, local women fights telephone pole placement, etc. As you limit your content to ~50km you limit what you can report on, and most of it, surprisingly isn't that interesting. CNN airs news 24/7 from around the world, and even they have to greatly hype stories to fill all their air time. And on top of all of this political partisanship with news. You will easily lose 50% of your audience for reporting on a story "wrong" or in disagreement with somebodies political opinions.