RTDNA finds that 16.3% of local TV news operations are using drones, 6.7% plan to start soon, 17.7% have used them but aren't now, and 59.4% have no plans to use them.
RTDNA-HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY SURVEY
Tracking Drones Takeoff In Local TV News
Despite all the discussion and coverage of drone usage by TV stations, most haven’t used them and say they aren’t planning to, according to results compiled by Bob Papper in the latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey.
With 16.3% of respondents reporting they are using drones, the biggest users of the tech are in markets 51-100, at 21%. That compares to 17.5% in markets 1-25, 17.1% (markets 26-50 and 101-150) and 4.4% (151-plus).
About 100 news directors talked about what they’re doing with drones. The answers, in order:
- If someone else shoots drone footage, the station will consider using it. At 28.8%, that answer easily topped the list. Some news directors went beyond that to note that they will not solicit drone footage.
- 16.3% of stations will use drone footage for certain, special stories or events.
- 14.4% use them for breaking news.
- 12.5% use drone footage for weather, storm coverage, flooding, etc.
- 11.5% use them for general coverage on stories.
- 7.7% are working on a plan for drone use, testing drone use or getting ready to use them.
- 6.7% use them for commercial production and/or promotion.
- 1.9% use them for sports.
Overall, 59% of the respondents say they have no plans to use the devices.
Comments (2)
kendra campbell says:
May 17, 2016 at 9:27 am
What could possibly go wrong?
Joe Jaime says:
May 17, 2016 at 7:43 pm
If I were in markets 25-75 I would have a fleet of drones… Live, local, late breaking, video! Drone 7,,, Air Drone News… Regional drone coverage!!