Run down and panel production of news bulletins

Published by Emil Abraham,


News bulletins are a fundamental aspect of television journalism, providing concise and informative updates on current events. Behind the scenes, a complex process takes place to ensure the smooth production and delivery of these bulletins.
Timing your news bulletin
Timing your news bulletin is crucial to ensure you cover all important stories within the available time. Consider the length of the bulletin, the number of stories, and the use of actuality clips. Balancing these factors is essential. For a 15-minute bulletin, you can include around 20 stories with grabs, allowing adequate coverage for each. In a shorter 5-minute bulletin, you may only manage 7 or 8 items with minimal actuality.
Since the importance of stories varies, it's challenging to assign fixed time limits. However, aiming for 30 to 45 seconds per story enables proper coverage with some detail. Less significant stories can be mentioned as briefs at the end of the bulletin, consisting of concise one or two-sentence summaries to inform listeners.
Including briefs helps maintain the bulletin's pace when longer, heavier stories are featured. As a newsreader, it's important to fully read through the bulletin before going on air. Time each item and record the duration in the bottom right-hand corner of the script. With practice, you'll develop the ability to estimate reading times without a watch. Some modern newsroom computer systems can automatically calculate story duration based on word count and the newsreader's reading rate.
Balance & Pace
When creating a bulletin, it's important to consider two main factors: balance and pace. Balance means avoiding a bulletin that consists solely of individual stories. Instead, aim for a mix of heavy and light topics, major political events, and stories about everyday people. The actual mix will depend on your station's format, with serious broadcasters focusing on serious stories and youth-oriented stations including lighter content. The order of stories in the bulletin can also be adjusted to add variety and balance.
Pace refers to the speed and tone of the stories as they are presented to listeners. Some stories have a fast pace, using short sentences and snappy words to convey simple ideas. Other stories, like complex political controversies, may require longer sentences and more complicated language, resulting in a slower pace. It's important to maintain a steady pace throughout the bulletin, with occasional variations to keep listeners engaged. Too many long stories can slow down the bulletin, while too many short stories can leave listeners confused.
To achieve balance and pace, start by ranking your stories in order of importance. Then, reassess the order to ensure a good balance of topics and variations in pace. For example, if your top three stories are serious political issues, consider injecting some pace by placing a report of a street fight as the third story. This change in pace can make the subsequent political story feel fresher. Ultimately, the goal is to create a bulletin that maintains interest, with steady pacing and appropriate variations along the way.
Structure of a news bulletin
A news bulletin typically consists of several key components that help structure and deliver the information effectively. These components include:
1. Introduction: The bulletin starts with an introduction that sets the tone and grabs the listeners' attention. It may include a brief overview of the main stories to be covered.
2. Headlines: Following the introduction, the headlines are presented. These are concise summaries of the most important news stories of the day. Headlines are usually delivered in a straightforward manner to provide a quick overview.
3. Main Stories: After the headlines, the bulletin dives into more detailed reports on the main news stories. Each story is typically presented one at a time, with relevant information, interviews, and analysis provided to give listeners a comprehensive understanding.
4. Additional Stories: In addition to the main stories, the bulletin may include shorter reports on other news items of interest. These stories are usually presented in a more concise format, providing key details without as much depth as the main stories.
5. Weather and Traffic Updates: Many news bulletins include weather and traffic updates to keep listeners informed about current conditions and potential disruptions. These updates help people plan their day and stay safe while commuting.
6. Sports News: Depending on the target audience and format of the bulletin, sports news may be included. This segment covers the latest sports highlights, scores, and upcoming events.
7. Business and Finance: Some bulletins include a segment dedicated to business and financial news. This may cover stock market updates, business developments, economic indicators, and other relevant information.
8. Closing and Outro: The bulletin concludes with a closing statement, summarizing the key stories covered and potentially providing a preview of upcoming bulletins. An outro may include contact information, website details, or other relevant announcements.
Run down and panel production
Two essential components in news bulletin production are the run down and panel production.
The steps involved in both processes are detailed below, shedding light on the intricate workflow that brings news bulletins to life.
  1. Step 1: Story Selection and Editorial Planning:
    The first step in run down and panel production is the careful selection of news stories to be included in the bulletin. News producers and editors evaluate the relevance, significance, and impact of various news stories to determine which ones deserve coverage. They consider factors such as breaking news, local and international events, and audience interests. Through thorough editorial planning, they create a coherent and balanced lineup of stories for the bulletin.
  2. Step 2: Run Down Preparation:
    The run down is a chronological order or sequence of stories and segments that comprise the news bulletin. It serves as a blueprint for the entire production process. In this step, producers organize the selected stories into a structured format, determining the timing, duration, and placement of each segment. They carefully consider the flow, balance, and pacing of the bulletin to engage viewers effectively. The run down acts as a guide for the entire production team, ensuring a smooth and cohesive broadcast.
  3. Step 3: Panel Production:
    Panel production involves the creation and coordination of various elements that enhance the visual presentation of the news bulletin. This includes the selection of appropriate graphics, lower thirds (on-screen text), visual effects, and video clips. Producers collaborate with graphic designers, video editors, and technical personnel to create visually appealing and informative elements that support the stories being presented. The panels provide contextual information, captions, and visuals that aid in understanding the news.
  4. Step 4: Script Writing and Teleprompter:
    A well-written script is essential for the seamless delivery of news bulletins. Writers collaborate with anchors and reporters to develop accurate and engaging scripts that convey the key information concisely. Anchors and reporters often rely on teleprompters, which display the script in front of the camera, allowing them to maintain eye contact with the audience while delivering their lines smoothly and confidently. Teleprompters ensure accurate timing and synchronization with the video content.
  5. Step 5: Rehearsals and Technical Checks:
    Before the actual broadcast, rehearsals and technical checks are conducted to ensure the smooth execution of the news bulletin. Anchors and reporters practice their delivery, fine-tuning their presentation and ensuring proper timing. Technical checks involve testing all the audio, video, and graphic elements to ensure they function correctly and seamlessly integrate with the run down. This step helps identify and address any technical or logistical issues before going live.
  6. Step 6: On-air Presentation:
    The final step is the on-air presentation of the news bulletin. Anchors and reporters deliver the news stories following the run down and panel production plan. They engage the audience through clear and articulate communication, maintaining professionalism and credibility throughout the broadcast. The visuals, lower thirds, and video clips seamlessly integrate with the stories, providing the viewers with a comprehensive news experience.
Run down and panel production are vital stages in the creation of news bulletins. The careful selection and arrangement of news stories in the run down, combined with the creation and coordination of visual elements in panel production, contribute to the effective delivery of the news. From story selection and editorial planning to rehearsals and on-air presentation, each step is crucial in ensuring a smooth and engaging news bulletin. By following these steps diligently, news producers and their teams create informative, balanced, and visually appealing broadcasts that keep audiences informed and connected.

Throughout the bulletin, reporters, news anchors, or presenters deliver the information in a clear and concise manner, maintaining a professional tone. The structure and components may vary depending on the specific format and duration of the bulletin, as well as the preferences of the broadcasting organization.