Research note: The effects of live television reporting on recall and appreciation of political news

This study investigates the effects of live and non-live reporting on recall and appreciation of political television news. A sample of 161 randomly selected adults participated in an experiment testing the effects of format difference (a live cross-talk between reporters vs a canned field report). Using an authentic experimental news bulletin produced in cooperation with the national Dutch public broadcaster, NOS, the findings did not support the hypothesis that the live cross-talk format enhances recall or appreciation. In fact, the results showed that the non-live field report format resulted in greater recall. These findings challenge the common newsroom assumption about the attractiveness of live reporting and have practical policy implications for both news practitioners and actors in the political arena.