RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey

The RTDNA/Hofstra University Newsroom Survey shows more TV and radio stations are streaming more content, but newsrooms are becoming more strategic, sharing digital and social media content on fewer, proven platforms. Also, the growth of Facebook Live is slowing and Twitter use among TV newsrooms is down. Social media drives a significant portion of traffic to TV and radio websites, which are growing in reach. Drone use is up significantly for local TV newsrooms.

The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey has found that total local TV news employment has surpassed total newspaper employment for the first time in more than 20 years of research.

The latest RTDNA-Hofstra University Annual Survey finds the minority workforce in TV news rose to 24.4%. That’s up more than a full point from a year ago… and is the second highest level ever in TV news. The minority workforce at non-Hispanic TV stations rose to the highest level ever. However, the bigger picture remains unchanged. In the last 27 years, the minority population in the U.S. has risen 12.1 points; but the minority workforce in TV news is up just over half that at 6.6.

The number of TV stations originating local news accelerated its generally steady slide … dropping nine from last year. The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey shows the number of TV stations originating local news is down to 705 from last year’s 714. There were 717 two years ago. Those 705 TV stations run news on those and another 357 stations. The latter number is another new, all-time high – up 18 from last year’s 339. That total keeps going up, but it’s doing so because a smaller number of newsrooms are running news on more and more outlets.

The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey finds that 2016 marked an extraordinary year for the local TV news business. At 65.7%, newsroom profitability tied the highest level (with 2013) since 1996.

The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey found a lot going on with social media and mobile in both radio and TV. Among the findings: increased use of Facebook and Facebook Live; more live streaming in general; as well as efforts at greater interactivity and live chats with viewers.

The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University survey of the state of broadcast news shows stable-to-better results. You might think that is not saying much, but I do, given the enormous impact digital media have had on all the so-called legacy media over the past two decades.Just look at the train wreck that is newspaper publishing. More stations are producing news with more people earning more money.

2014 marked another strong year for the TV news business, according to the latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey, with more than 60% of TV newsrooms reporting that they made a profit on local news. In TV, the bigger the newsroom, the more likely that the station made a profit on the Eeb, with over half the stations making a profit in newsrooms with more than 50 staffers.

The number of TV stations producing new rose by two to 719, but total newsroom employment dipped 1.5% to 27,700, according to the latest joint annual survey of RTDNA and Hofstra University. The decline in employment may be due to the poor response to the survey from stations in the top 25 markets, Hofstra and RTDNA said. The survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The number of TV stations originating local news actually went up by two this year to 719 stations. However weakly, that reverses an eight-year trend of fewer newsrooms. Those 719 TV stations run news on those and another 307 stations; a record total of 1,026 stations airing local news.

The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey continues to show that the TV news business isn’t limited to TV anymore, but the numbers also show a stabilization in the outside reach of a TV newsroom. The percentage of stations involved with other media slid about two and a half points from last year to 75.9%.