Are You Sure You Want to Lead with That?

The lead story is one of the most important parts of your newscast.  It reels the viewers in, and if you're lead isn't what's expected, your viewers will go elsewhere to get the news.

As a producer, I choose the lead story based on my audience. What do USC students care about most? What story has everyone talking? What story are most students concerned with? What's the biggest news?

These are all questions you must consider when picking your lead story. You really have to cater to your audience and give the viewers what they want to see.  

As a viewer, I expect to see a lead story that's important to me. It's a story that I want or need to know more information about. Most importantly, I expect to see a lead story with the most up to date information. Over the past few weeks, I've learned that the lead story must have the freshest information. I always ask myself, 'What's the new news?"

Being a student at USC helps me understand what needs to be considered for a lead story. I am able to relate to the students and figure out what's most important and relevant to our lives. Despite our diverse student body, we generally share the same concerns and interest in certain stories. However, there are also times when I have to realize that I am just one in thousands, and I need to choose a lead story that will draw in the most viewers. It's so important to find the right balance when picking your lead story.

The lead story can really make or break your newscast, so choose wisely and keep those viewers tuned in!