#whYwhYC: A new newscast for CBC Calgary
Rob Brown explains the comprehensive rethink of our television newscast
Reporters didn't havecellphoneswhen I started in the news biz.
Theywere available (I may have grey hair but I'm not that old) but they were expensive.
My news director didn't see why reporters needed a portable digital device when they could fill their pockets with quarters for thepayphone. That was less than 20 years ago.
Man, how things have changed and fast.
These days, we call them "smart" phones and no news director would be dumb enough to take a pass on the technology.
They are essential to thenewsgatheringprocess. A reporter has the power of theinternetin the palm of theirhand. He or she has a broadcast quality camera, and the tools to share or stream news instantly.
If you're a news junkie, you can now get your fix 24/7.In fact, consumers now expect news content to be constantly updated.
Chances are you're reading this on yoursmartphoneor tablet.After all, Calgary has a young and plugged-in population.
Up-to-date news app
CBC Calgary is very aware of your expectations.Take our news app, for example.
You're one touch away from what I think is the best online journalism in our city.
It's easily digestible, current and relevant.
The CBC is going where the news consumer is going bybeefing up online news. It's a top priority.
The reality is that has resulted in some difficult decisions as the focus of ournewsgatheringshifts to digital first. That shift has led us to a comprehensive rethink of our television newscast.
Our key question: IfCalgariansare so connected in this era of mobile news consumption, how can we enhance that experience on TV?
We think the answer is simple: focus less on thewhatand more on thewhy.
Thatsmartphonehas been keeping you up to speed with the news all day long, so by the time you sit down in front of the big screen, you probably have a pretty good idea of what's been going on.
#whYwhYC
So, instead of giving you what you already have, we're now offering what's often lacking in daily news coverage context. Why events unfolded the way they did. Why decision makers went in a particular direction. Why Calgarians should care.
Ask any reporter and they'll tell you that explaining what happened is the easy part. Getting at why it happened is where the heavy lifting is done. They'll also tell you that "Why?" is their favourite question because it leads to the most interesting answers.
So starting today, andwith that in mind,CBC Calgary News at 6 is asking "Why?"with a relentless focus on the issues that matter toCalgarians.
We call it: #whYwhYC
In 30 minutes, we promise to bring you in depth and smart discussion that will take you behind the day's headlines.
You'll hear fromnewsmakers, and from insightfulCalgariansexamining and exploring issues important to you like health, technology, your money and politics.
We are connected with our community, making programmingdecisions that reflect our city, itsneighbourhoodsand the people who live here.
We hope you'll tune in and take something of value away from this new newscast.And keep in mind, if you can't sit down at 6 every weeknight, you'll also find video clips from the broadcast on your digital device.
All of that local news content there in your pocket like all those quarters we carried years ago.
Just press play and find out why.Ask CBC Calgary questions directly on social media with #whYwhYC.
You might have seen#whYwhYCwritten in red chalk on sidewalks around Calgary.
The markings were made with a temporary chalk mixtureof water, cornstarch and chalk and were put together on a shoe-string budget. They have since been removed by CBC Calgary.
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