Quick, Simple & Bite size. Just the way I like it.

Local News.

Growing up I remember actively watching the King 5 news at 5:00 every day in my parents home. As an adult, I still turn on the news after work, but I may not be actively viewing. I listen while doing other things like reading, cooking, paying bills or surfing the web. Although I do watch the sport section just so I can keep track of local high school and college teams and playoffs. I watch it out of habit, if something peaks my interest I will proceed to search out more information on the internet.

It does not really matter to me which local channel is on. I like King 5 for being a little more visually active, I like KOMO’s website, I like KIRO because they tend to report more Bellingham stories and I like NWCN because they report on Portland. They all do a pretty good job delivering local news. They all have the same personalities I grew up watching and trusting; Dan Lewis, Jean Enerson, Steve Pool, Steve Raible and Jeff Renner and his changing facial hair, it’s like watching old friends. So what’s the difference?

Last summer I moved and since I thought I didn’t watch “that much” TV I decided to not get basic cable. So for two months I found myself everyday searching the local news on my computer. After working on the computer all day and reading, the process was exhausting. It was great when I found a live online broadcast so I can watch the whole show.  I guess watching the news for me is like getting a quick summary of day, it’s not complete without it. I didn’t want long stories, I didn’t want to read down a list and click, I wanted it quick, simple and fed to me in bite size pieces. Needless to say I have my basic cable back.

What can they do better?  I’m not sure. As technology has changed our lives it’s given us options. Local news isn’t as important to watch during designated broadcast times. As long as we can have access to it online 24/7, read their blogs and have access to more in-depth reporting online, I am happy with that. I just wish I can go to any of the local news website and watch the most recent broadcast anytime that is convenient for me, not just their broadcast time.  Now that would be great news!