2 February 2010 Topic vs. Story

In our last class we discussed the difference between covering an event from a story level versus a topical level. When reporting on an event from the story level it provides a more focused look into a specific topic. The story doesn't have 'legs' because many times the facts and story itself have changed. These stories lack longevity because as time progresses, more information is learned about the matter and thus the initial story morphs. When reporting on a subject from a topical level one is looking more at trends, history, and the story tends to have repeat visitors because the coverage is more holistic.


Possible Headline Quote: "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...Off to a Sensational Start"

As we are in the midst of Super Bowl excitement, I think it would be interesting to look at Super Bowl coverage from a topical and story based angle. This NBC Sports article is a prime example of evolving news and a specific focus. "Early media talk focuses on Freeney's ankle" and even calls out the sensationalism in the 'story' by saying, "Hype surrounding Super Bowl XLIV not hitting usual din of previous games." The article points out its storyline, "For once, members of the media could focus on an actual storyline before the Super Bowl - how is Dwight Freeney's ankle?"



This is relevant news for Super Bowl fans and could determine the outcome of Sunday's game, but this story will no doubt evolve as the week continues. The story will remain but with more factual information and with Freeney's ankle progress, the facts will change.

Looking at Super Bowl XLIV from a topical standpoint portrays a whole different angle on The Bowl Game as this article exemplifies. "Excess Rules at Super Bowl and That's No Ballyhoo" written by Mike Tanier of The New York Times, recounts the history of the Super Bowl and how it came to be one of America's most facinating sporting events. The article gives history of the Bowl and charts its 'Super Sized Programming.' The following excerpt allows you to see the difference in tone versus the story coverage above.

"The A.F.L.-N.F.L. championship game was a hard sell in 1967, when the leagues were separate and unequal. N.F.L. Commissioner Pete Rozelle needed a prestigious championship game to legitimize a newly minted merger with the less-established American Football League. So Rozelle, a former public-relations specialist, used his marketing expertise to surround the game with hype, or hoopla or ballyhoo, as it was called at the time.

Rozelle adopted the grandiose Super Bowl name — coined by the Kansas City Chiefs’ owner, Lamar Hunt — and he commissioned Tiffany to create the Titletown Trophy (later renamed for Vince Lombardi). He persuaded NBC and CBS to simulcast the game for $1 million each, and he raised Los Angeles Coliseum ticket prices to $12 from $6, to increase revenue and, more important, to give the game prestige."

Both story and topic reporting inform the audience on different levels. One focuses attention on a specific, while the tropical report offers a broader view. This is just an example of two ways an audience can be informed of events.

2 Ways I would cover Super Bowl Sunday:

Story:

1. Interview Bon Jovi and get his reaction on headlining the Super Bowl's halftime show. Interview would include halftime preparation and set list.

2. Fans could also be interviewed from past Bon Jovi concerts to determine how this performance might rank with his previous concerts. As this event has yet to happen, the story would simply be an introduction and specific vignette on Bon Jovi's involvement. Individuals from Bon Jovi's facebook group would also be contacted and connected.

3. Track stage crew as well as event planners for halftime show, capture setup and issues in a documentary setting. (Film rehearsals and sound bites.)

4. Meet with volunteers and carry one-two stories on their careers as dancers, backup singers, children involved in act etc.

5. Interview security and legal team to pinpoint main issues of halftime show.

6. Interview costume designers on choice of fabrics, theme, custom assembly.

Topic: Recap the history of halftime shows starting with the inception of The Super Bowl.

1. Historical data such as run time, list of performances/performers, controversial performances and reaction would all be highlighted.

2. Money spent on halftime coordination and the actual implementation of halftime performances would also be gathered and presented in bar graph form.

3. A timeline of events would be created showing factual data that pertains to the show. The timeline would also list main events of the year and fashion/musical interest allowing the viewing audience to understand the culture of the time.

4. Number of participants, money spent, hours of rehearsal, money earned could be organized in chart form - this would be rich in pictures and video of performances.

5. Number of tv viewers, increase in tv viewers for halftime, etc. would all come into play. I would also conduct a study to see if approval and popularity ratings increased after the said performers appearance on Super Bowl Sunday through record revenue.

I would parcel the information using a tv frame image with various links to halftime shows/information within the tv set itself - capturing the evolution of time. This would give the online audience a point of reference. Rough Example:

All of this factual information would give the audience a holistic view of halftime performances.