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Breaking News is a term used by broadcasters to signal a breaking news event that requires an immediate interruption of regular programming. It is usually preceded by a countdown sequence, and network affiliates are asked to stand by for the breaking report. This sequence is often accompanied by a distinctive music cue and a special graphic open that signals the imminent start of the special report. In the past, breaks such as these were reserved for events of national importance that required a large number of stations to interrupt programming, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Special reports are now more common on 24-hour news networks and can be presented without the need to interrupt regular programming.
