The Development Approaches of Infotainment Television Shows to Present In-depth News

Abstract

This research aimed to study 1) approaches to develop news reporters of infotainment television shows to present in-depth news and 2) approaches to develop a content of infotainment television show for in-depth news presentation. The analysis of content presented in different infotainment television shows was applied in this research. A news of 5 infotainment television shows was selected using purposive sample method to analyze news value and its presentation approach; and the analysis results were developed as a discussion related to current presentations. The in-depth interview was applied with 8 staff experienced in news and mass communication at 3 years including news presenters, producers or content editors of infotainment television shows and academicians of mass communication.

          The findings revealed as follows:

1) The different approaches of news presentation were found. Most of presentations were daily news, background analysis, news interpretation and news issues investigation in order to elaborate more content. The different personalities of news presenter became the characteristics of show. Each show presented news using news reporting approach; but some of the shows added special technique using simulation technology. 

2) The approaches to develop news reporters of infotainment television shows to present in-depth news required an experience as news reporters, a research prior to presentation and a consistent update on daily news. In addition, the comments on news should reflect experts’ point of view to help audience make decisions.  Furthermore, news reporting skills, ability to interpret relations of situations in news and ability to explain coming impacts were also necessary. 

3) In terms of approaches to develop a content of infotainment television show for in-depth news presentation, the editorial board and news reporters should target audiences of shows interested in presenting in-depths news. In this regard, they required to report news onsite, investigate local news and insightfully explain news background; so that they could develop and expand a content to be presented to audiences. Moreover, editorial board should be responsible for providing news content and context for presenters. This action should be a mutual collaboration in supporting information to create infotainment television shows to present in-depth news.