The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election is a significant news event. It’s shaping up to be one of the most important and challenging elections in recent history, especially for broadcasters who must adapt to a constantly changing media landscape.
With the rise of social media and the fragmentation of audiences, broadcasters face challenges in retaining viewers and maintaining trust. However, there are also opportunities for innovation and expansion.
According to Pew Research Center, local television news is still the most trusted source for American voters. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of local broadcasters in providing unbiased reporting, fact-checking, and emergency updates during critical election periods.
“In a rapidly evolving media landscape, broadcasters remain a vital bastion of the free press in communities all across the country — an especially critical role this election year,” said Michelle Lehman, NAB Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “As misinformation runs rampant on social media, journalists at local TV and radio stations continue to bring unbiased reporting, urgent emergency updates and accurate fact-checking every day. Broadcasters provide voters the facts they need to make informed decisions on Election Day.”
To reach audiences effectively, broadcasters are adopting more distributed and agile workflows, similar to those used in live sports broadcasting. This allows them to centralize resources, save costs, and generate additional content. Calrec, a leading audio technology provider, has been a key player in this shift, helping broadcasters like NBC Sports, Sky, and the BBC implement remote production technologies.
As the largest owner of local television stations in the United States, Gray Media, is another example of a broadcaster embracing these new technologies. Gray Media has standardized its audio configurations across its network, relying on Calrec’s Type R mixing console to automate workflows and minimize reliance on physical control surfaces.
Global News, a Canadian broadcaster, is another network benefiting from Type R’s remote connectivity. Ralph Carstens, Systems Specialist, Audio at Global News, commented, “We have the ability to adjust things like levels and dynamics remotely using VPN and the Calrec Assist GUI, if needed.” He added, “The DSP cores are connected to Viz Mosart, an automation system that allows just one to two operators to control all aspects of news production such as the cameras, playout, graphics, and audio. All the cores handle live local news production. Global National is produced out of Vancouver and all three cores produce morning, noon, and evening news shows plus cover elections and other special events.”
The Pew survey also reveals that social media plays a significant role in how younger generations consume political news. While television remains a trusted source for older generations, the competition for attention is fiercer than ever.
To navigate these challenges, broadcasters are turning to hybrid approaches that blend linear video with cross-channel content. This is where manufacturers like Calrec play a critical role. Their technology, like True Control 2.0 and ImPulse V cloud DSP engines, allows for more flexible workflows and enables broadcasters to reach audiences on diverse platforms.
As the 2024 election approaches, broadcasters face an uphill battle to remain relevant and trusted in an increasingly competitive media landscape. By embracing new technologies, streamlining workflows, and expanding their digital reach, they can ensure their content remains vital and essential for viewers seeking accurate and timely information.