CEO of Svet Solutions Media, global broadcasting production, and member of the International Television Academy.
Television news has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, fueled by technological advancements, evolving audience preferences and the emergence of streaming platforms. While traditional news formats still dominate, there is a rising demand for in-depth, investigative and narrative-driven journalism. News documentaries, once considered a niche genre, are now poised to become the future of television.
At a time when television broadcasters are downsizing their journalistic staff, with numerous layoffs occurring across Europe and the United States, the trend of documentaries on streaming platforms suggests that creating curated content, such as news documentaries, may be the way forward for the television news industry.
Over time, I’ve seen how news documentaries have evolved to adapt to the changing media landscape and audience preferences. They have maintained a sense of timeliness, aligning with current events and providing informed analysis. We have witnessed well-done productions on topics such as the global pandemic, environmental issues, immigration and human interest stories. Leading a production company involved in global content production has provided me with a privileged perspective on how interesting topics can be developed and brought to the screen through informed analysis, varying across different countries.
In the U.S. market, I’ve seen how news documentaries have gained traction earlier than in many European markets, where they seem to be perceived as non-trending products, particularly in southern and central European regions. While breaking news continues to play a valuable role in keeping people informed, based on my experience, it seems to have been more prevalent in the 1990s and early 2000s. I believe the evolution of broadcasting television, now competing with different platforms, necessitates the creation of informative content that provides viewers with additional knowledge to rely on rather than merely providing them with fragmented breaking news or bite-sized information, which are now more commonly consumed on social media.
News documentaries offer several advantages over conventional news formats. Firstly, they provide more depth and detail than news bulletins or live reports, often constrained by time limits and editorial agendas. They can explore the causes and consequences of events, present various perspectives and experiences of stakeholders and provide viewers with additional context, challenging their views and allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. Secondly, news documentaries can cater to more diverse and discerning audiences than news bulletins or live reports, which often target mass markets and general interests. I find that viewers seeking specific information tend to turn to social media for similar content rather than traditional television broadcasting, especially if we target younger generations. News documentaries can cater to specific niches and tastes while attracting new viewers seeking alternative information and entertainment sources. This flexibility enables broadcasters to test more targeted productions and focus on different areas of content that better align with their audience. However, it is crucial to recognize that building an audience takes time, especially for commercial television reliant on viewership, as viewers need time to adjust to new styles and formats.
Television audiences differ in terms of age, program preferences and representation, making them a diverse cross-section of society. Consequently, television programming caters to various target audiences. According to a 2019 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, local news tends to attract a higher percentage of older Americans, with 39% of adults aged 50 and above watching local news on television, while only 15% of Americans aged 18 to 29 tune in.
Based on these statistics, it is evident that local and breaking news remain important for an older audience that is more accustomed to traditional television broadcasting. However, younger, digitally native viewers may find these types of news less appealing, as they tend to rely more on digital platforms for information and may prefer consuming longer-form content on traditional platforms to gain a deeper understanding of the news.
Given the recent downsizing of editorial offices at television broadcasters, it is likely that the focus and budget allocated to breaking news productions are lowering. Instead, broadcasters may prioritize different formats that attract a larger and more diverse audience in order to secure investment and sponsorship.
In the long run, news documentaries can enhance the credibility and reputation of broadcasters and journalists who produce them. I believe news documentaries offer significant value to a generation of information makers by showcasing expertise, creativity and ethical standards, engaging with different audiences and generating social impact. They provide insightful stories that cannot be easily replaced by citizen journalism or other trends that impact the field of breaking news more superficially.
However, producing news documentaries also has its challenges. The biggest obstacle lies in the need for more resources, time and skills compared to conventional news formats. This can pose difficulties for broadcasters and journalists operating in competitive and constrained environments. I’m also seeing news documentaries face increased scrutiny and criticism from various actors, including governments, corporations, activists and audiences. These documentaries’ in-depth analysis and information may lead to questions about their accuracy, objectivity or underlying agendas.
Furthermore, it is essential to differentiate news documentaries from other documentaries focusing on entertainment or advocacy. I believe news documentaries should remain within their distinguished area of expertise and uphold the standards of journalism while keeping their informative and journalistic value in mind.
The success of documentaries on digital platforms, such as “Tinder Swindler,” “Money Shot” or “The Last Dance,” highlights the public’s growing interest in analytical and in-depth content. This necessitates a shift in television towards producing more comprehensive content, even on topics related to current news events. News documentaries offer a unique opportunity for broadcasters and journalists to inform, educate, inspire and empower audiences, making all the figures involved, from journalists to filmmakers and producers, invaluable and irreplaceable contributors to the narrative. In doing so, they can contribute to the diversity and quality of television content, enriching our culture and democracy.
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