TV News: Holidays in the Newsroom

BiB Contributor | Joe Avary

It’s been said that the holidays are the “most wonderful time of the year”. It’s a time when spirits are high, retailers are finally in the black, and regular people celebrate the season with festive feasts, champagne glasses and ugly sweaters.

You can almost hear the crickets chirping at the Assignment Desk

Things are different for folks in TV News. When chestnuts are roasting on open fires, you’ll likely be stuck at work, trying not to make a cliche out of the stock stories our viewers see this time of year every year. People outside the industry never seem to understand that holidays are part of the gig. My parents always manage to call me to wish me a Merry Christmas as I’m barreling down the interstate to an apartment fire or some such calamity.

But it isn’t all bad. Most news managers clear out of town for the holidays, giving the newsroom a more relaxed vibe. If your station carries a lot of football or basketball games there may be fewer newscasts than usual, and producers – unless they are total Grinches – may let crews get away with a look-live instead of a live shot. Best of all, most stations have some sort of holiday pay arrangement that can make that next paycheck look like it overdid it with the turkey and dressing.

Holidays are a great chance for reporters to gain experience on the anchor desk

There’s also plenty of opportunities to try something different. If you’re a reporter looking to get some experience behind the anchor desk, the holidays could be your chance. If you’re a photographer who’s a little burned out it could be a chance to recharge your batteries by trying something new on that story you’ve done a thousand times before. Maybe a producer could even give you the green light to mic up Santa Claus for a holiday nat sound piece.

Most TV stations realize their employees sacrifice a lot to generate content for those holiday newscasts, and many show their appreciation by feeding the crew. It’s no substitute for face-time with family and friends, of course, but a heaping plate of comfort food can make the experience a little bit better. Feel free to back for seconds – you deserve it – and if there are leftovers go ahead and take them home. They’ll still be good tomorrow.

Tags: Holidays, newsroom, Photographers, reporters