17 Newsreading mechanics
‘Radio news is bearable. This is due to the fact that while the news is being broadcast the DJ is not allowed to talk.’
– FRAN LEBOWITZ
Speed
The right reading pace is one which is comfortable for the reader, clear to the listener, and which suits the station’s style. That could be anywhere between 140 and 220 words per minute. British radio usually favours 3 words per second, or 180 wpm, which is a natural and pleasing pace. TV can run a little slower.
Three words per second is also a handy formula for timing a script – a 20 second lead becomes 60 words, a 30-second story is 90 words, and so on.
The ultra-slow 150 wpm, which finds favour on and off in America and on foreign language stations, permits a delivery ...
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