THE NEWS PROGRAMME

12     Putting the show together

‘Five years ago there were 50 stations in Paris, 40 in Marseilles. The owner of one had all his rivals on tape. He hit the buttons for me. “They all sound the same,” he complained, “including us.” He has since gone down the pan.’

– MICHAEL KAYE*

Every programme maker would be grateful for a guaranteed audience. Perhaps fortunately for the consumer there is no such thing. Where news stations and different news media compete, there can be no room for complacency. In the end, the best product should find the most takers – providing it gives the consumer what they want.

Audience loyalty is important. Even where rival news programmes are broadcast at the same time and there is little to choose ...

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