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A breaking news story is an event or news item that elicits urgent coverage and requires the interruption of regular non-news programming on radio, television, and radio-based streaming services. A national network will usually alert its affiliate stations and tell them to stand by for a countdown sequence, allowing the station to switch to the network feed and air the breaking news story. In the case of an event requiring extensive national or global coverage, the network may interrupt regular programming in order to provide continuous reporting, sometimes for days at a time. During a break in programming, the network will often include graphic elements such as a special ticker and music to convey urgency.
Prior to the development of 24-hour news channels, this was typically reserved for severe weather events, or other occurrences that would require all stations to suspend normal programming. Some networks also use special “Newsflash” and “Special Report” tickers during regularly scheduled programs, reducing the need for cut-ins.
