Local News and Linear TV: Alive and Well or Walking Dead?

Local news has been a television staple for many viewers for years. Do they have any need to exist in 2022? That's the topic of today's episode. Every local news broadcast seemingly starts with reporting on a fire or a stabbing or other local tragedy as stations vie for relevance. The old adage of “if it bleeds, it leads” has never been more true. Will local news die out, or is it here to stay? There's also a vast difference between local news in New York City (where there are always things to report on) and the fictional town of Deer's Ears, Indiana. How do smaller local news outlets stay relevant in the internet era? We discuss whether anyone is watching local news for any reason other than loyalty, why reporting on sports scores seems antiquated, and how to sustain local news.