Did you know that social media now surpasses television as the top news source for Americans? Where folks once got their information from trustworthy figures such as Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters, these days it’s whoever is making the most noise on TikTok, Instagram, or podcasts.
That’s just the way it is.
As such, TV news talent needs to acquire new skills to adapt to this shift from streaming to digital media. This isn’t to say, however, that the skills needed to be a successful television broadcaster don’t still apply. Many of them are evergreen.
TV News Talent Needs to Acquire New Skills
With the news industry so fragmented, the traditional path to becoming a news anchor, reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter is not what it once was. That means that aspiring TV news talent has to have a willingness to meet the expectations created by the digital age.
They are as follows:
Building a Personal Brand
Once upon a time, traditional media outlets held a monopoly on distribution. This is no longer the case. As such, experienced TV news talent agents stress now more than ever the importance of cultivating an online following for their clients. In some cases, a client’s personal brand may directly compete with the brand of their employer. This can be either empowering or a source of friction that TV news talent must learn to navigate.
Proficiency in Multiple Platforms
Gone are the days of producing content for a single broadcast (i.e. ‘the evening news’). TV news talent must now be able to produce content for television, as well as for short-form videos that will be used for digital articles and posted on social platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Agility in Reporting
“Breaking news” is immediate on social media. It arrives there long before traditional outlets can even dispatch a team. As such, TV news reporters must be able to react and produce content in response to breaking news with an agility and urgency previously not required.
Interacting with the Audience in Real-Time
Like it or not, digital platforms allow for real-time and direct interaction with the audience. That means that talent is now expected to engage with readers and viewers through comments. This allows for a more personalized experience that simply couldn’t exist with the traditional broadcast model.
The Value of Traditional Skills
All of that said, the skills required for more traditional TV broadcasting still hold significant value. Even in the current landscape.
Credibility and fact-checking continue to be at the top of the list for building a reputation of trust. And given the vast amount of misinformation out there, attention to the truth is a hot commodity.
Another crucial skill that every TV news talent agent looks for when acquiring a new client is the ability to be a great storyteller. Despite the quick and often superficial nature of digital content, there’s still a huge need for the comprehensive and in-depth analysis offered by traditional broadcasting when conveying a story.
Finally, given that many of the legacy news organizations are open to hybrid models that blend traditional broadcasting with digital content, talent who can adapt to both of these approaches will be of far more value than those who only specialize in one.
Forward Your Career with a Highly Experienced TV News Talent Agent
Now that you understand how TV news talent needs to acquire new skills to stay on top, you may be wondering where to turn to fine-tune some of those skills.
Mort Meisner knows the importance of well-rounded talent and goes the extra mile to ensure that you’re the best anchor/reporter/meteorologist/sports reporter you can be.
So contact him today. And get ready to soar in your broadcasting career!
