ABC News’ Martha Raddatz interviews Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., on “This Week.”
In 1980, Ted Turner launched the Cable News Network. That network went on to spawn the Fox News Channel and MSNBC. But when it started, critics wondered why people would watch it.
At its height, CNN employed more journalists than any other U.S. TV news operation. It also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in streaming operations. However, it failed to attract viewers.
Today, streaming news is a major trend. Major streaming networks repurpose programming from cable, offering regular nightly news programs and documentaries. These networks also offer reruns of their programming. They are targeting mass audiences as well as niche ones.
Online video streaming is set to reshape political news coverage. Free news streamers are trying to lure viewers into cutting their cable subscriptions. Meanwhile, overtly political news operations are likely to enter the market.
The major news networks have high hopes for streaming. Streaming cuts out the need for expensive negotiations with cable companies. Moreover, it allows networks to archive content. This makes building a news library more economical. And, it allows consumers to choose the type of news they want to see.
Despite the news networks’ lofty hopes, some viewers are unwilling to pay for television news. Commercial-averse viewers may instead switch channels. Still, the proliferation of choices could further feed polarization.
Those who would like to watch cable-quality news can try free news streamers. Some of them resemble cable’s approach, but others try to appeal to the mass audience.
