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SOLD AMERICAN: THE INFLUENCE OF U.S. NEWS CONSULTANTS ON NEWSCASTS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY by Craig Allen Associate Professor Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication Arizona State University Tempe, AZ 85287-1305 602-965-2857 [log in to unmask] Sold American: The Influence of U.S. News Consultants on Newscasts in Great Britain and Germany ABSTRACT With little fanfare, American news consultants recently have made major inroads into the news media abroad. In the first examination of international news consulting, consulted newscasts in the UK and Germany were found to have most of the characteristics of consulted local TV newscasts in the United States. Further investigation revealed that U.S. consultants operate not just in these two countries but in at least eighteen others. Because issues in domestic TV news have transferred overseas, more study of international news consulting is indicated. Sold American: The Influence of U.S. News Consultants on Newscasts in Great Britain and Germany News consultants are applied research firms that maintain exclusive relationships with many U.S. news media. They are hired by those media, often at very high fees, for guidance that can increase audiences and maximize profits. Although practically all local TV newsrooms, a growing number of newspapers and magazines, and larger organizations such as the Cable News Network are among their clients, news consultants work under a proprietary cover and reveal little in public about their role and function. Because of or despite a secrecy factor, news consultants have remained a subject of great curiosity among scholars concerned with news communication. Critics argue that the spread of research-consulting in the United States has fostered news content that panders to the audience (Jacobs, 1990, pp. 60-61; Gitlin, 1993). Adding fuel to the debate is sentiment that news consultants do not belong in newsrooms, that outside advisors who are not journalists can influence those who are (Barrett, 1975, pp. 89-112; Diamond, 1975, pp. 91-100; Powers, 1977, pp. 1-7). Although news consulting has remained difficult to study empirically, scholars have an important new reason for redoubling such efforts: confirmed reports that the three largest U.S. consulting firms have been invited into numerous broadcast organizations overseas. Within five years of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Detroit-based McHugh & Hoffman had extended its reach into a half-dozen Eastern European countries and subsequently added still newer clients in Latin America. Following this, in 1993, the Dallas-based Audience Research & Development, the second-largest consultant, signed a lucrative long-term contract with the world's largest broadcast consortium, the Luxembourg-based CTL, which on nine networks beams news and entertainment programs to about 200 million people from Spain to the Czech Republic. In the meantime, Frank N. Magid Associates of Marion, Iowa, by 1994 had entire divisions based in London and Kuala Lumper, Malaysia, for service to clients in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Broadcast deregulation and private ownerships have propelled these expansions, which alone can help U.S. scholars better grasp the magnitude of global media privatization. Yet news consulting represents a wholly new phenomenon in international communication, as for the first time American advisors have actually penetrated foreign broadcast organizations and established themselves as an indigenous force. International consulting is meaningful not only because of its possible impact on foreign news. Because technically they export nothing and instead have a hands-on function that is physically based overseas, news consultants potentially complicate on-going discussions of American "cultural imperialism," which to date have stressed broad and sweeping U.S.-directed information "flows." Not widely considered is the significance of indigenously-prepared news, which news consultants are set up to affect. Sold American The paper that follows is an exploratory study that sheds the first light on international news consulting and establishes parameters for further research. The major part of the paper consists of a content analysis of consulted and non-consulted newscasts in Great Britain and Germany, two countries at the cusp of privatization and the first to actively solicit American advising. From a methodology developed in the U.S. that isolates characteristic features of consulted newscasts, findings from both countries indicate that news consultants may influence foreign national newscasts much as they have influenced local newscasts in the U.S. The remainder of the paper maps the overseas movement of the three largest U.S. news consultancies, Magid, AR&D, and McHugh & Hoffman, and briefly describes some of the conditions under which these expansions have taken place. Interviews with representatives of the firms and their clients round out this final phase. Evidence that U.S. news consultants now operate inside at least 36 different foreign broadcast organizations in 20 countries, and that these facilities are located not just in Great Britain and Germany but in numerous less developed locales, affirms a need for further investigation. The Discussion argues that while many U.S. scholars have taken a lead in understanding important changes affecting the media abroad, those engaged in the study of TV news should not persist with a "fortress America" perspective. Matters in TV news long studied and debated in the U.S. have relevance now because they may operate all over the world. Background Magid and AR&D are the two largest of about seven U.S. news consulting firms that started in the 1960s and 1970s by selling research to local television stations before gradually expanding into other news media. Still catering mainly to local TV stations, Magid and AR&D together currently list about 250 domestic clients (Butler, 1988) and spearhead a $50 million news consulting industry (Dun and Bradstreet, 1990, pp. 95, 200). News consultants typically sign clients to three and five-year contracts for a combination of advising and research, the latter usually surveys that each cost around $50,000. The data lead to recommendations aimed at helping each client newsroom maximize its share of the audience and, thus, income. Importantly, news consultants do not limit their advising to the submission of written reports to management but rather maintain a physical presence inside their client newsrooms. They can counsel newsworkers during periodic seminars, clinics, critiquing sessions, and one-on-one interactions (Magid, 1996a). At their headquarters in the U.S., both Magid and AR&D operate talent schools, where selected newsworkers gather for specialized instruction (Bock, 1986, pp. 62-71). No client is obligated to follow the recommendations, although compliance usually occurs because of the high fees the recommendations and instruction command. While consultants cannot dictate specific news content, they urge adherence to general story topics, those demonstrated to be the most appealing, and they communicate these preferences to newsworkers through a newsroom's managerial chain of command (Berkowitz, 1994). Historically, news consultants have been in greatest demand where two or more news media vie for the same audience, as is characteristic of the U.S. system of television. As late as 1983, this American system--with a multitude of commercially-supported networks and stations and only one public outlet (PBS)--was unique. With the exception of Italy, no other country then had more than three television channels. Because of tight governmental controls most had one-channel systems, and throughout the world government-supported public services were dominant. Broadcast privatization, which Caristi (1996) aptly has likened to the reallocation of a nation's resources, was a function of the multi-national spread of videocassettes and satellite-delivered services in the 1980s. Because foreign governments could not control the distribution of these new media, they were forced to reconsider policies that had constrained television and protected the public channels (Chavance, 1994; Rondinelli, 1994; Csaba, 1994; Heath, 1993). A turning point came in 1986, when the French government sold to private investors its dominant public network, TF1 (Porter, 1993, pp. 61-63). Two subsequent developments in Great Britain and Germany greatly expedited the current worldwide rush toward privatization. In 1990, the British government as a means of generating badly-needed revenue opted to put up for competitive bid the sixteen licenses of its commercial Independent Television system. Although ITV already was private, a 1988 "White Paper" commissioned by British prime minister Margaret Thatcher removed virtually all previous restrictions. The Thatcher White Paper became a model statement on public-to-private broadcast conversions and its provisions have been emulated in many other countries (Home Office, 1988). In exchange for a large, one-time-only franchise fee, ITV licensees were promised unprecedented latitude for maximizing profits and for competing against Britain's two public TV networks, BBC1 and BBC2. Eleven of the twenty-four companies that applied for the ITV licenses in 1990 turned to the United States and hired Magid for research and consulting that could bolster their bids. At the conclusion of this franchise "auction," eight of the Magid-backed bidders were victorious. Among them was a venture called Carlton TV, which claimed the London license from Thames TV, previously the key ITV outlet (Davidson, 1992, pp. 221-240). At present, twelve of the sixteen ITV units, which broadcast regionally, are Magid clients.1 In addition, starting in 1992 Magid has served a London-based entity called Independent Television News, a newsgathering consortium sponsored by the sixteen ITV companies. ITN is responsible for the news seen on the main national ITV network (Channel 3) as well as on a newer companion network called Channel 4. Integral to the fortunes of ITN is a commercialized national newscast in prime-time called "Channel 4 News," which was entered into indirect competition with "The Nine O'Clock News," the prime-time newscast on non-commercial BBC1. The other harbinger of privatization was the rise of democracy and the institutionalization of market systems in the former Eastern bloc nations of Europe. Germany, where the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized this change, moved rapidly to deregulate what had been a two-channel public system in West Germany and a one-channel Communist-based system in East Germany. After reunification in 1990, the German government continued to respond both to business interests seeking expansion in the region as well as to the demands of citizens that more TV be available, the latter having been an impetus behind the democratic revolutions (Frederick, 1993, pp. 234-236). The creation and expansion of five new private networks began. The largest of these were RTL, owned by the Luxembourg-based CTL, and Sat 1, likewise financed mainly by non-German interests including Disney-ABC; both specialize in movies, sports, and entertainment. Another entrant was a movie-oriented network called Vox. The two other new ventures were RTL2, RTL's sister network, and a German-held network belonging to the Kirsch conglomerate called Pro 7. Because RTL2 and Pro 7 were the latest and smallest entrants in an increasingly crowded entertainment marketplace, both financed extensive commitments in news and placed national newscasts in head-to-head competition. In 1994, CTL hired AR&D for research and consulting that could give the RTL2 newscast, "Action News," an advantage over the competing newscast, "Nachrichten," on Pro 7. Thus is Great Britain, the newscast on BBC1 competes in prime-time with the newscast on Channel 4, produced by ITN, the Magid client. Similarly in Germany, the Pro 7 newscast opposes the nightly news on RTL2, the AR&D client. Structurally, these four news programs have many similarities. The British and German newscasts all appear in prime-time (Channel 4 at 7 p.m., BBC1 at 9 p.m.; RTL2 and Pro 7 both at 8 p.m.), all contain roughly between fifteen minutes and a half-hour of news (Channel 4's within an hour-long news-and-interview format), and like network newscasts in the United States all work from identical national news agendas. Further, they have comparable resources and can reach the same number of potential viewers, nearly 100 percent in their respective countries. But while matched in terms of these structural factors, audience ratings as of mid 1995 suggested quite different internal priorities. In Great Britain, BBC1, with a 32 percent share of the audience, had three times the viewership of Channel 4, which drew about 10 percent (IP Groupe, p. 350). In Germany, where twice as many networks as the UK results in smaller shares, Pro 7 drew 9 percent of the audience and was far ahead of RTL2, which had 3 percent (IP Groupe, p. 121). Because of confidentiality provisions, the exact role of the two consultants in Great Britain and Germany has remained unclear. Officially, Magid was enlisted by ITN as an advisor to programs appearing on Channel 3, not Channel 4, although a larger role was suggested in press reports linking Magid to format changes on numerous ITN productions. In the followup interviews, Magid representatives conceded a wide range of responsibilities and that their recommendations to the ITN newsroom were implemented by both British networks (Joe George, personal communication, July 17, 1996). Similarly, AR&D was hired by CTL-RTL for consulting at its broadcast center in Luxembourg. Followup conversations with AR&D representatives in the United States, however, confirmed ongoing travel itineraries between Dallas and Munich, the location of the RTL2 studios and newsroom (Elizabeth Anderson, personal communication, July 28, 1996; Ed Bewley, personal communication, July 2, 1996). Although the presence of the consultants in the ITN and RTL2 newsrooms was established, little more about their specific activities was disclosed. Yet because the Magid (Channel 4) and AR&D (RTL2) clients were underperforming in the ratings, they were likely candidates for strategies news consultants in similar situations are known to have advanced in the U.S. Although strategies vary, they have been shown to be uniform in at least one key respect: the handling of individual news stories. Moreover, consulted newscasts frequently have been identified by just four news story characteristics: length, mode of presentation, geographical orientation, and topic. Consultants are known to favor short stories. Compressed news stories, which enable more items to be presented, result in faster-paced newscasts, pace, in turn, a presumed viewing attraction (Mayeux, 1991, pp. 358-361). Manipulating a story's mode of presentation is another means for achieving a more appealing pace. News on television, unlike worded stories in print, can assume one of several "formats." The simplest and most conventional formats are the "reader," in which a news anchor appears on the screen and merely reads out loud written information, and the "interview/soundbite," in which newsmakers appear and essentially serve the same "talking head" function. Consultants, however, reject "talking heads" and are known to favor additional formats because of their conduciveness to compressed content, visualization, and personality projection. The three most common consultant-backed formats are the "voice over," in which an anchor narrates a visualized video clip; the "package," in which an on-camera field reporter in a longer segment similarly narrates visuals; and the "live remote," in which a reporter appears live from the scene of a news event and converses with the anchor (Shook-Lattimore, 1992, pp. 160-162, 277-282; American University, 1979, pp. 21-23). Another presentation mode advocated by consultants is the "tease," not a news story per se but nonetheless a content component that previews upcoming items (Rickel, 1995, pp. 129-147). Impacting more directly on actual news selection is the geographical orientation of news stories. Owing to their roots in local news media, consultants are known proponents of localism and strongly encourage news that is "close to home" (Jacobs, 1990, pp. 29, 58). Although internationally consultants are involved not in local but in national newscasts, there is nothing to indicate that a similar local philosophy would not prevail. Consulted newscasts in Great Britain and Germany would be expected to favor news from inside those two countries rather than from other European countries, elsewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere, and the rest of the world. Further, consulted newscasts should feature a preponderance of national news not strictly from the capitals and major cities such as London, Berlin, and Bonn, but from outlying regions where the majority of viewers reside. Expectations for story topic, the most direct news selection criterion, should follow somewhat similar priorities. Consultants reject news that is remote and abstract to viewers and favor stories which are proximate, timely, interesting, and gut-level, and which most fit the description of "news you can use" (Berkowitz, 1994; Hardman, 1990). Topics exemplifying the former include government, politics, national business and the economy, education, distant wars, and disasters; these should receive diminished treatment on consulted newscasts. In contrast, topics consulted newscasts would be expected to stress include crime, personal economic matters, health, human interest, weather, and sports (Berkowitz, 1994; Peale-Harmon, 1991; O'Donnell, 1978). Crime news, which includes crimes against people, arsons, manhunts, prison escapes, and ongoing law enforcement investigations, is believed to evoke not just interest but personal attention because of concerns among viewers that they might be victims (Jim Willi, AR&D, personal communication, October 9, 1995). Personal economic matters, health, human interest, weather, and sports are explained in terms of their proximity to viewers and/or the capability for directly affecting a viewer's lifestyle. Further, these topics assume core viewership in middle and lower socio-economic strata, where the majority of regular TV viewers reside (Maier, 1986). In addition to news stories, several other elements which can loosely be called "aesthetic" factors should further distinguish consulted newscasts. These would include male-female "co anchors," extensive use of electronically-generated graphics, intimate living room-like studio sets, specialty reporters, and the application of accompanying musical themes. Potentially a key discriminator is the regularity by which individual newscasters are seen. Non-American newscasts traditionally have employed rotating teams of "presenters," in which a different newscaster is seen each night. In contrast, consulted newscasts would be expected to have a fixed and regularly-appearing "anchor," as this time-honored American practice is deemed elemental toward fostering viewer response (Allen, 1995). To test these expectations, the study established the following research questions: RQ1: Relative to those with no consultants present, do consulted newscasts in Great Britain and Germany stress short stories and devote more time to modes of presentation that include voice overs, reporter "packages," live remotes, and teases? RQ2: Do consulted newscasts devote relatively more time to national news subject matter, particularly that with a regional character, and less time to news from the rest of the world? RQ3: Do consulted newscasts devote relatively more time to tangible and/or gut-level topics such as crime, unrest, weather, and health, and less time to more abstract or distant topics such as politics, government, and war? RQ4: Do consulted newscasts, relatively speaking, feature a preponderance of aesthetic elements that might further suggest any influences the consultants may exert? Methodology To address the first three research questions, the study adapted a methodology introduced in 1978 by O'Donnell and advanced in 1991 by Peale and Harmon in projects that examined the effects of news consultants on local TV newsrooms in the United States (O'Donnell, 1978; Peale-Harmon, 1991). Stipulating that the most valid method for measuring consultant influences was by direct observation of consultants, these researchers conceded that because of proprietary restrictions that rendered observational opportunities impossible measurements could be facilitated indirectly by a content analysis of opposing newscasts--one in which news consultants were present, the other in which they were not. That this method presupposed the non-consulted newscast as a baseline was a justifiable assumption given much evidence in the United States that similar groups of newsworkers tend to "think alike" unless acted upon by an outside force (Robinson-Levy, 1986, pp. 211-219; Harmon, 1989). The current study was conducted in the U.S.; most of the analyzed material was acquired through satellite receivers at the AR&D consulting complex in Dallas, some through an associate in Europe who recorded and shipped off-air recordings. Two seven-day survey periods, one for each of the countries, were specified. Analyzed were the RTL2 and Pro 7 newscasts seen in Germany between September 28 and October 5, 1995, and the BBC1 and Channel 4 newscasts televised in Great Britain between January 28 and February 3, 1996. Only news stories and parts of the newscasts relating to the stories were coded. Commercials, promotional segments, musical interludes, and closing credits were excluded. Also excluded were long interview features of up to fifteen minutes in duration that appeared in Channel 4's hour-long newscast. Minus mainly the commercials, the two German newscasts carried about fifteen minutes of news nightly. Being non-commercial, each half-hour BBC1 newscast carried close to thirty minutes of news. Minus the commercials and the interview features, each Channel 4 newscast also contained about thirty minutes of news. The teases, a mode of presentation criterion, were broken down for inclusion in the geographic and topical analyses. Story length was assessed with a procedure nearly identical to that of Peale-Harmon, who for reference reported each newscast's shortest and longest stories and then divided the total amount of examined airtime by the total number of stories. Compared was the result, a simple average story length for each of the four news organizations. Assessing mode of presentation was a similarly straightforward procedure of identifying readers, interview/soundbites, voice overs, packages, live remotes, and teases, and comparing the amounts of time devoted to each. The assessment of geographic orientation paralleled but necessarily diverted from the procedure of Peale-Harmon, who analyzed strictly local newscasts. While important was preserving a set of geographic categories that progressed from the most to the least proximate, national newscasts required different variables. Stories with the greatest proximity were placed in one of two "national" categories; "national/cities" were stories situated in the national capitals, while "national/regional" were stories situated in the interiors of the countries. "National/cities" was regarded as a non-consultant criterion in order to distinguish it from "national/regional," a highly likely consulted newscast characteristic. Remaining stories were categorized based on whether they were situated in other EC countries, elsewhere in Europe, elsewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere, or in the Western Hemisphere. Although a case could be made that because they are not proximate stories from the Western Hemisphere would not be recommended by consultants, it seemed likely that because the consultants are from the Western Hemisphere they would encourage stories from that part of the world. Because past literature gave no indication either way, Western Hemisphere stories were considered a consulted newscast trait. As had been true in the previous studies, a few stories had more than one geographic focal point. In such cases, a determination was made based on which geographic locale was treated for the greatest length of time in the item. Comparisons were based on time increments and reported as percentages. The assessment of story topic closely followed the framework developed by Peale-Harmon, in which items were placed in one of eleven content categories. To reflect the national orientation of newscasts here, part of this framework was adapted. News about foreign wars was included in a category Peale-Harmon had called "disasters." An additional category called "unrest" was added; in it were placed stories about labor unrest, strikes, and protests, which, if they had appeared, probably were included in the "government" or the "national economy" categories in past studies. Because stories about unrest were proximate and gut-level, they were considered a consulted newscast trait. The final topical framework included the non-consulted topics of government, politics, national economy, disasters-wars, and education; and the consulted topics of crime, personal economy, health, human interest, sports, and weather. In cases where stories reflected content in more than one category, such as a report on health policy that involved the actions of government, a determination was made based on the overall thrust of the item. Stories on government were defined as those that focused on governmental procedures and reforms or dealt with policy debates covered extensively in a parliament, a council, or a similar venue. To address the final research question on aesthetic elements, the study departed from quantitative analysis and relied on description. Taken into consideration in the viewing of the twenty-eight newscasts formally analyzed, and about sixteen additional newscasts adjacent to the survey periods that were not part of the formal analysis, were the noted non-content factors that had identified consulted newscasts in past studies. Simply put, the goal was to assess the extent any of the programs, particularly those of the consultants, discernably looked like local newscasts seen in the U.S. In addition to aesthetic devices, attention was given to whether the news organizations relied on rotating "presenters" or employed a fixed and regularly-appearing "anchor." Results The purpose of the content analysis was to determine if differences that may exist in the handling of news stories by consulted and non-consulted news organizations in Great Britain and Germany can be explained by the presence of news consultants. It was proposed that characteristics in news coverage that resembled patterns observed among consulted newscasts in the U.S. were indicative of the consultants' presence. Although expected results were not achieved in all cases, most of the findings indicated that U.S. news consultants do impact newscasts in the two countries. Because of preceding evidence that consulted newscasts carry shorter news stories than their consulted counterparts, an analysis of story length was conducted. In both countries, results fit the expected patterns. As can be seen in Table 1, the Channel 4 newscast in Great Britain, consulted by Magid, had an average story length of one minute, one second; this compared to one minute, nineteen seconds on BBC1. Similarly in Germany, the AR&D-backed newscast on RTL2 limited stories to an average of 47 seconds, much shorter than the nearly one-minute time frame allowed by Pro 7. Contradicting this outcome were several very long items on Channel 4, including one of seven minutes in length that was more than twice the duration of BBC1's longest item. Still, both RTL2 and Channel 4 had the greatest number of items, and thus the shortest items, and this fit the pattern established in past research on consultants. The analysis of mode of presentation, seen in Table 2, produced mixed results. Here it was proposed that consulted newscasts would carry more voice overs, reporter packages, and live remotes, while non-consulted newscasts would hold to readers and interview/soundbites, the so-called "talking heads." While Channel 4, as expected, had half as much reader material as BBC1 (7 percent to 16 percent), it nevertheless carried three times as much interview/soundbite content (14 percent to 3 percent). Moreover, the dominant format on both British newscasts was the package, a trait of consulted programs. Unexpectedly, almost three-fourths of BBC1 newscasts were comprised of packages, with only 55 percent of the Channel 4 content conveyed through this technique. While the preponderance of long interviews would tend to suggest minimal consultant influence at Channel 4, closer examination of Table 2 revealed that that network devoted 12 percent of its newscast to teases, far and away the largest proportion of any of the four analyzed newscasts and strong evidence of the consultants' presence. In Germany, the overall results were even more definitive. RTL2 devoted only 18 percent of its news to the two "talking head" formats, compared to 40 percent at Pro 7. Further, RTL2 carried three times as much voice over material and a larger proportion of packages (48 percent to 40 percent) than its non-consulted competitor. The analysis of geographic orientation more clearly suggested the presence of consultants at RTL2 and Channel 4. As Table 3 shows, Channel 4 scheduled more "national/regional" and fewer London-based stories than BBC1. In addition, a marked proportion of Channel 4's news, 11 percent, emanated from the Western Hemisphere, a finding that might further indicate an American influence. In Germany, RTL2 devoted almost one-half of its content to national/regional developments and used only 17 percent of its airtime to report happenings in Berlin and Bonn. In contrast, Pro 7 directed only 23 percent of its coverage to the regions and devoted almost one-third of its airtime to events in the major cities. Like Channel 4, RTL2 gave not overwhelming but marked notice to news of the Western Hemisphere; stories from America outnumbered stories from the nearby EC countries by almost a two-to-one margin. Notable was the newscast of October 4, 1995, in which RTL opened with a series of reports from Los Angeles on the acquittal of former U.S. football star O.J. Simpson, who had been on trial for murder. Differently, Pro 7 carried only one short item on the Simpson verdict. While Western Hemisphere news was prominent, its proportion nevertheless was very small relative to national news of both types. That by a ratio of six to one national news exceeded Western Hemisphere news on all four networks would tend to question the prominence of American news "flow" into these two countries. The analysis of story topic further pointed to the consultants' presence. In Great Britain, the non-consulted network excelled in non-consulted topics, and the consulted network excelled in consulted topics, in 8 of the 12 items. In Germany, this was true in 11 of the 12 items. A key item was government, a subject consultants are known to disfavor. As expected, only 6 percent of the Channel 4 newscast and only 7 percent of the RTL2 newscast was concerned with government; this compared to 16 percent at BBC1 and 26 percent at Pro 7. Unexpectedly, though, the consulted newscasts featured a relatively high proportion of political news (14 percent on Channel 4, 10 percent on RTL2), and they did not emphasize weather to the levels indicated in past research performed in the United States. Still, RTL2 devoted substantial proportions of its newscast to human interest (17 percent), crime (16 percent), and sports (11 percent), while one-third of Channel 4's news consisted of unrest, health, and human interest. While the proportion was small, Channel 4 and RTL2 were the only networks to have carried reports on personal economic matters. The prominence at Channel 4 and RTL2 of crime, unrest, health, and human interest, indicating at the consulted newsrooms a priority for proximate information and/or "news you can use," definitely fit the anticipated pattern. The final research question relating to aesthetic elements called for a descriptive assessment of the four newscasts. As expected, differences in the styles and on-air "look" of the various programs were pronounced. Essentially, the non-consulted newscasts on BBC1 and Pro 7 maintained a conservative approach that in some ways resembled "The Newshour With Jim Lehrer" on PBS in the United States. In contrast, the newscasts on Channel 4 and RTL2 were laden with aesthetic elements and featured an approach that was more eye-catching, urgent, immediate, and personable. Attention was given to the regularity by which main newscasters appeared. As expected, both BBC1 and Pro 7 featured different newscasters and otherwise adhered to the European "presenter" system, although at BBC1 the assignment was rotated between just two figures, Michael Buerk and Peter Sissons. Also as expected, Channel 4 and RTL2 had adopted fixed and regularly-appearing newscasters, an indication they had been swayed into adopting an American-style "anchor" system. A further indication of this was a male-female anchor arrangement, consisting of Jon Snow and two alternating young women, Zeinab Badawi and Dalgit Dhaliwal, on Channel 4. The RTL2 newscast was anchored by a figure named Nicola Sengelmann. Although all four newscasts demonstrated state-of-the-art technical sophistication, the consulted versions had a far greater number of electronic graphics, visual effects, and picture manipulations. Particularly visible were differences in the newscasts' studio settings. Viewers tuning to BBC1 saw before a panorama of dark blue a huge studio desk large enough to seat 10 newscasters, although only one appeared. In contrast, viewers to Channel 4 saw a more intimate setting, in which the anchors while not side-by-side were in close proximity. In terms of the aesthetic devices, the most conservative of the four newscasts was that of non-consulted Pro 7, which rarely showed the entire studio and stressed instead a head-and-shoulder view of the presenter, this seen virtually for the entire duration of the newscast. The boldest design was that of AR&D's RTL2, which had established a red, white, and blue color scheme, a background diorama containing a multi-colored map of the world, and a five-piece modular studio, lit from underneath, that permitted the main anchor to interact with other individuals. In its outward appearance, RTL2's "Action News" was indistinguishable from local newscasts in the United States. Followup Investigation The further explore factors that might have contributed to the results and to learn more about the overseas activities of the U.S. news consultants, interviews were conducted with representatives of Magid and AR&D as well as with McHugh & Hoffman, the third consultant although without a client examined in the content analysis. Additional input was obtained from employees of RTL, ITN, and other overseas news organizations that had hired consultants. While timely information came from RTL, the ITN contacts proved less fruitful as it was learned that just prior to the content analysis Magid's contract with ITN had lapsed and that ITN had chosen not to renew it. Although Magid continues to consult regionally for ITV, the parent of ITN, the loss of the national ITN contract enabled Magid to assume a small role within the BBC, an organization that at the time of the content analysis was non-consulted. Some implications from these newer developments in Great Britain are treated ahead. A major objective of the followup investigation was mapping the extent of the consultants' overseas outreach. As near as could be determined, the three firms have contracts with 36 broadcast entities in 20 different countries. In addition to RTL in Germany, AR&D consults for RTL4 and RTL5 in The Netherlands, RTL-Lorraine in France, RTL-Luxembourg, RTL-TV1 in Belgium, and the Prime Network in Australia (AR&D, 1996). From its base in London, Magid consults for a regional unit of the BBC, the twelve regional ITV companies, Antenna 1 TV in Greece, Tel-Ad in Israel, TV2 in Norway, and MTV3 in Finland. Magid's Kuala Lumper office coordinates consulting for RCTI in Indonesia, BiTV in India, Mega TV and TV3 in Malaysia, and the Ten Network in Australia (Magid, 1996b, p. 9). McHugh & Hoffman consults for Tele Nova in the Czech Republic, 1A in Germany, Media Pro in Romania, Pro Plus in Solvenia, Gravis Television in the Ukraine, FR3 in France, TV Nova in Portugal, SBT in Brazil, and TeleOnce in Puerto Rico (John Bowen III, personal communication, April 15, 1996; McHugh & Hoffman, 1994). In early 1997, AR&D was negotiating a contract with Channel 5, a new British network expected to begin operations in March 1997 (Elizabeth Anderson, personal communication, July 28, 1996). Although Magid was the only firm with divisions based abroad, AR&D was planning an office in Paris and McHugh & Hoffman was considering offices in Berlin and Sao Paulo. The consultants were quite open in vouching for the findings reported in the content analysis. They related ongoing contacts with newsworkers at their clients overseas; spoke broadly of recommendations for shorter stories and soundbites, visualized material, and proximate news coverage; and insisted these actions were supported by the research, mainly surveys and focus groups, they had performed in the respective countries. While conceding that many of the consulted programs do "look American," the consultants denied the exportation of a "magic formula" and maintained that newer provisions in overseas newscasting are those preferred not just by Americans but by indigenous audiences in foreign countries. As AR&D's Ed Bewley related, "We came to Europe because of our research experience. Prior to this there was no need for research because there was no competition . . . [But] once privatization hit, clients knew they had to have a channel of communication with their audience." According to Bewley, average viewers in Germany and other locales did not favor what they perceived as "stuffy, cold, [and] detached" newscasts (personal communication, June 10, 1996). More specific were the observations of Brent Magid, who speaking from London noted that at the time of his arrival in 1991 TV news in the UK had changed little in thirty years. "You saw an older man read news stories with few visuals or production effects," he stated. Rather than with "warmth and interest," program elements such as "segments [that] concluded with 'End of Part One,' 'End of Part Two,'" repelled viewers, according to Magid. "The first thing we did when we got here was to go out and ask the people whether they preferred newscasts that were livelier, more human, and gave you more of a reason to tune in." The affirmative responses coupled with steadily increasing news ratings, maintained Magid, "have started to alter the concept of TV news in every country we have entered" (personal communication, October 9, 1995). Although the ratings gains at Great Britain's Channel 4 actually have been modest, Magid claimed considerable proprietary success after helping reformat ITN's evening national news and morning breakfast news on the main ITV network (Channel 3). Meanwhile, AR&D's German client, RTL2, recently has added appreciably to its share of the audience, which stood at only 3 percent in mid 1995, just prior to the content analysis. In mid 1996, RTL2 had an average audience of 5 percent, and a peak audience of 9 percent, and had narrowed the advantage of its non-consulted rival Pro 7, which still had a 9 percent share (Ratings and Programming: Germany, 1996). Yet it was further learned that the most dramatic ratings increases have occurred not in the UK or Germany but in developing countries where new private networks have entered into competition with long-established systems that previously were state-run TV monopolies. In Greece, the network called Antenna 1, which as a startup venture hired Magid in 1991, currently draws one-third of the total audience and about one-half of the national news audience, while Greece's forty-year-old monopoly, ET, now struggles with about 10 percent (IP Groupe, 1995, p. 132). Perhaps most indicative has been the commercial success of McHugh & Hoffman and its client Tele Nova in the Czech Republic. Two years after its sign-on in 1994, Tele Nova commanded seventy percent of Czech viewers and had left the once-dominant state-supported CT network with slivers of the audience (IP Groupe, 1995, p. 70). One of the highest-rated programs on Tele Nova is a McHugh & Hoffman-consulted nightly newscast which features a male-female co-anchor arrangement, a team of specialty reporters, and a person-on-the-street news segment. "After the revolution," McHugh & Hoffman's Jacques de Suze related, "the Czech people were crying out for access to the media. The vox populi segment was the centerpiece of our recommendations at Tele Nova" (personal communication, May 4, 1996). Yet unclear is the direction attitudes toward U.S. consultants may take. Of five overseas newsworkers contacted, none disparaged the consultants and all were positive in their remarks. "The Americans try very hard and they help us make the news stronger. They always have ideas and are easy to work with," commented Germany's Marion Gruntman (personal communication, December 19, 1995). Gruntman, who was employed by Germany's 1A system at the time of the interview, had had direct contact with both McHugh & Hoffman and AR&D. Another German newsworker who asked to remain anonymous felt the American input was "necessary" because "they are up to date." An ITN newsworker in Britain named Clive Jones concurred: "Consultants are helpful because when you are close to a project you sometimes can't see the wood for the trees. They often tell you things you already know, but they can help you confirm your own prejudices and instincts" (Miller, 1993). Vic Royter, a former RTL radio reporter subsequently elevated into a managerial position in television, was particularly candid. Speaking from RTL headquarters in Luxembourg, Royter noted RTL's restlessness with its ratings and an initial "mistrust [of consultants] by the news members" when the AR&D representatives first arrived. "We had never had any coaching, and we were not used to the role-playing" and the other AR&D exercises "they said would help us adapt to the people's needs," Royter recalled. But because the consultants spent long hours working individually with staff members, "things got better." Royter added that most of the discussions with newsworkers were keyed to research AR&D had performed. Further, once relations had stabilized, a sort of "halo effect" followed the consultants, this because they were Americans. "Everybody asked, 'Why did you go to the States [for assistance]?' Then the people realized, 'That's the country of TV,'" stated Royter (personal communication, Jan. 31, 1997). It was apparent, though, that those contacted were reacting to the newness of the relationships and to the special attention many of them currently had been receiving. As has been the case when American newsworkers have been queried, those overseas did sense but could not explicitly articulate the commercial imperatives that explained the consultants' presence. Nor did they blame consultants for the job dissatisfactions and stresses some did feel, another pattern that parallels findings in the United States. On the other hand, relative to their counterparts in the U.S., newsworkers abroad appear to have had fewer philosophical differences with consultants over news values. Recalling more restrictive systems that previously existed, which apparently caused journalists to assume a "pro-establishment" stance, some feel that consultants by pressing new news values actually have liberated the news process. One instance in which this was not the case apparently came at the beginning of the Magid-ITN relationship in 1993. After succeeding with several recommendations, Magid representatives met resistance after urging ITN producers to reevaluate their heavy emphasis on government and politics. As Magid's Charles Munro recalled, "When we arrived everything they covered were the machinations of government. It was so extreme that we called their newscasts 'MPs parade.'" Magid's vehement recommendation that governmental coverage be balanced by other types of news was not finally implemented until ITN's upper management had intervened. Still, according to Munro, "We never saw a greater difference between the priorities of a news staff and those of the research respondents [than at ITN]. . . . We never said 'Don't cover Parliament.' We told them exactly what the respondents had told us: 'Cover it in a way that helps the viewer relate'" (personal communication, July 15, 1995). Although a budget shortfall served as the official explanation, these tensions described by Munro probably contributed to the severing of the Magid-ITN relationship. Yet the underlying theme in all of these interviews was an expectation that international news consulting, while new, is permanent. As Royter put it, "No TV in Europe can now be allowed to operate without news consultants." Moreover, at least for the foreseeable future, this expertise is certain to come mainly if not exclusively from the United States. Further, the three U.S. firms appear to be past the point at which their services are merely invited overseas, as all report the first concerted sales activities. A more aggressive sales posture should expedite further expansions, particularly given that new private TV services, such as Britain's Channel 5, are projected in virtually every foreign country. By all accounts, the consultants have acclimated to the fact that TV news abroad is not yet as extensive or as publicly accepted as that in the U.S.; the offering of not just news but financial, managerial, and technical advising is an important reason the consultants seem assured an expanding foreign clientele. Magid, in fact, anticipates that by 2010 one-half of all its business will be conducted overseas. Representatives of all three consultancies noted the fortuitous timing of these events, as Frank Magid, the founder of his firm, summed up: "Our foreign clients recognized that there was no television system more competitive than in the United States. We had been at the center of that competition for thirty-five years. So it was quite apparent that those in foreign countries would come to the United States, and to us, because we had the research expertise they had to have" (personal communication, July 10, 1995). Discussion Although its findings are preliminary, this study nevertheless provides the first measure of understanding into a new and meaningful phenomenon in international communication. In news, the prevailing model for assessing American influence is information "flow," in which at issue is material interpreted and generated in the U.S. that subsequently crosses international boundaries through large organizations such as Associated Press, Voice of America, and more recently CNN (Frederick, 1993, pp. 49-51, 127-131). There is no model for the situation treated here, in which American advisors cross the boundaries and establish presence inside foreign newsrooms. Propelled by privatization, American news consultants currently operate in 20 foreign countries and, as shown, have influenced news broadcasts in two. Granting that Great Britain and Germany resemble the United States, it is significant that U.S. consultants also have entered the less-developed countries where concerns about American influences have been most acute. While scholars outside the United States can benefit by insight into new factors that can influence the handling of their news, a greater challenge faces their counterparts here, who have tended to view the process of television as if the rest of the world did not exist. The time-honored emphasis on Associated Press, Voice of America, and CNN may in the end be meaningful because of a U.S. bias it exposes. In establishing a relationship between market factors and the rise of the consulting industry, past domestic studies have served an important purpose. Yet at a time when more and more foreign countries rush to adopt a U.S. system of TV, much will be missed if American scholars engaged in TV news research fail to internationalize their views. An important outcome was affirming the validity of past U.S. methodologies in evaluating indigenous news broadcasts overseas. Studies of information "flow" have been deep in the analysis of potential channels of communication, comparatively shallow in bringing this down to the bottom line: what viewers in foreign countries actually watch. As in the U.S., foreign viewers are kept informed mainly by indigenous newscasts. Not only do these newscasts apparently have the same components as those in the U.S., and thus are easy for Americans to study. Researchers can proceed with increasingly assurance that limitations here can be overcome. Difficulties encountered in acquiring recordings of indigenous overseas programs, which resulted in a relatively small number of analyzed newscasts, will be alleviated by the continued expansion of satellite transmission. Of note in this regard has been the initiation of a U.S.-based enterprise called Satellite Communication for Learning (SCOLA), which collects and redistributes overseas newscasts by satellite in the U.S.2 The study's major limitation, its indirect method for assessing the consultants without access to their research reports, written recommendations, and advising sessions, will remain the key obstacle. Still, the relatively high level of cooperation exhibited by the consultants, including in the acquisition of the newscasts, offers hope that the long-standing secrecy factor can be circumvented. One question that beckons is whether the spread of news consulting is another manifestation of U.S. "cultural imperialism." This possibility emerged in several findings, notably by the decision of RTL to title its newscast "Action News," an American newscast name not even translated into German, the native language. Such examples are indicative of media imperialism as defined by Boyd-Barrett, who notes any "process whereby the ownership, structure, distribution or content of the media in any one county are . . . subject to substantial external pressures from the media interests of any other country without proportionate reciprocation" (1979, p. 117). Still, the broader pattern suggests that while American influences are in play something other than imperialism may be at work. American news consultants neither facilitate nor advocate the exportation of movies, entertainment series, or other entertainment fare but rather function on site, usually with the express purpose of helping foreign clients originate their own programming. Further, Magid, AR&D, and McHugh & Hoffman were invited into these foreign countries; as their priority is conquering competitors, not nations, they seem to display little that approaches an imperial impulse. It is possible that the infusion of U.S. programs and programming concepts, including those in news, no longer results from a type of imperialism but rather from a demand for such programming by overseas TV users who now have choice. Privatization, resulting for the first time in a multiplicity of TV services, may have unleashed this demand, with the culture and lifestyles of those overseas already more multi-national than many suspect. As a concern born in the pre-privatization era of the 1980s, the notion of cultural imperialism may require revision in order to meet the newer realities of the 1990s. Further studies should address whether American concepts are pushed into foreign countries, as many argue, or whether they are pulled there by viewers, as the new competitive TV environment allows, and as the enlistments of U.S. news consultants may indicate. On a more microscopic level, much can be learned through more content analysis, particularly of consulted newscasts in the less-developed countries, as well as through attitude studies of overseas newsworkers. Unclear are the conditions and the extent to which foreign TV journalists welcome news consultants; evidence they unknowingly cleave to organizational and marketplace norms would square with findings reported in the U.S. (Berkowitz, 1994; Harmon, 1989; McManus, 1990), and this is meaningful. While consulted newsrooms should center such research, not to be overlooked are the indirect effects of consultants on non-consulted news operations. Examination of U.S. local newsrooms has suggested that because of competitive expectations non-consulted newsrooms often play "follow the leader" once a consulted newscast has been established (Frankola, 1990; Norris, 1987; Barrett, 1975, pp. 98-103). Great Britain was selected with this in mind. BBC1 was the world's first television network and remains known for what Britons call the "up market" quality of its news broadcasts. BBC newscasts examined here did keep with this serious, elite tradition, but not nearly to the degree as BBC newscasts televised just five years earlier. That the BBC has striven for a much greater popular appeal was underscored here by news stories that were not much longer than those of the consulted outlets, by its preponderance of visualized news content, and, notably, by a relatively small proportion of government stories. It once was not uncommon for BBC newscasts to carry nothing but governmental and political news. While here government did emerge as the dominant BBC story topic, only 16 percent of its content fit that category. It is possible that by pressing a more popular approach to news coverage in the ITV system, Magid could have swayed like priorities at the BBC. This is because despite continuing as a non-commercial public network the BBC no longer is sheltered from competition. Indeed, maintaining high ratings against challengers like Channel 4 has become crucial to the BBC, currently under political pressure to justify its use of public money in a private and increasingly diversified marketplace (Wittstock, 1992). The opportunity to observe several non-news programs on the BBC, which included an on-location celebrity beach show hosted by a figure named Ruby Wax, a MTV-style rock music series called "Top of the Pops," and a prime-time soap opera called "EastEnders" that serves as Great Britain's No. 1 program, suggests that today's BBC bears little resemblance to the elite institution celebrated by authors in the past. The same changes undoubtedly expedited that contract between the BBC and Magid, previously an inexplicable development. A final question simply is why techniques advanced by news consultants in the end do increase ratings. A principal technique is the selection of fixed and regularly-appearing news anchors, which at the urging of consultants cleared the way for TV news "stars" in the U.S. (Bock, 1986). Further evidence of a conversion from a European "presenter" system to an American-style "star" system warrants considerable attention in light of the rearranged priorities and escalating salaries that accompanied the latter in the United States. Scholars have tended to reduce ratings-building techniques to show business elements that detract from good journalism. It is possible, however, that such techniques have utility in the minds of average TV viewers, who may have no other reason to regularly tune to a nightly newscast because of the multitude of alternatives available. Given the certainly that news consulting and privatization will continue to expand, scholars should reconsider whether consultants anymore pervert journalism or whether some worthwhile purposes are served. While their affairs remain difficult to pursue, this study has turned yet another set of findings suggesting that news consultants are situated close to if not at the center of the TV news universe. The study further suggests that a day may come when the term "universe" will have to be taken literally. News consulting no longer is an American thing. With consultants moving abroad it is important that scholars not be far behind. Notes 1 Magid's ITV clients include Carlton, London Weekend Television, Good Morning TV, Westcountry TV, Yorkshire TV, Central TV, Ulster TV, Tyne Tees TV, Grenada TV, HTV, Anglia TV, and Meridian TV. 2 More information on SCOLA can be obtained by contacting Satellite Communications for Learning, P.O. Box 619, McClelland, Iowa 51548-0619, 712-566-2202. References Allen, C. (1995). Priorities of general managers and news directors in anchor hiring. Journal of Media Economics 8, 111-24. AR&D. (1996). AR&D's smart partners. Audience Research & Development, Dallas, TX. American University Graduate Students in Broadcast Journalism. (1979). Broadcast news doctors: The patient is buying the cure. Washington, DC: American University. Barrett, M. (1975). Moments of truth? New York: Crowell, 1975. Berkowitz, D., C. Allen, and D. Beeson. (1994). Newsroom views about consultants in local TV: The effects of work roles and socialization. Paper presented to the Radio-Television Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Atlanta, GA. Bock, M. A. (1986). Smile more: A subcultural analysis of the anchor/consultant relationship in local television new operations. Unpublished masters thesis, Drake University, Des Moines, IA. Boyd-Barrett, O. (1979). Media imperialism: Toward an international framework for the analysis of media systems. In J. Curran, M. Gurevich & J. Woolacoot (Eds.), Mass communication and society. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Charles Butler. (1988, April). Consulting firms and stations forming a more potent partnership. View, 22-24. Caristi, D. (1996). Privatization and broadcasting in East and Central Europe. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 40, 281-285. Chavance, B. (1994). The transformation of Communist systems. Boulder, CO: Westview. Csaba, L. (1994). Privatization, liberalization and destruction. London: Dartmouth. Davidson, Andrew. (1992). Under the hammer: The inside story of the 1991 ITV franchise battle. London: Heinemann. Diamond, Edwin. (1975). The tin kazoo. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (1990). Dun's directory of service companies 1991, Bethlehem, PA: Dun and Bradstreet. Frankola, Karen. (1990, August). Who uses consultants and why? RTNDA Communicator, 12- 15. Frederick, H. (1993). Global communication and international relations. New York: Harcourt Brace. Gitlin, T. (1993, September). Money talks. American Journalism Review, p. 24. Hardman, B. (1990). The influence of consulting groups on television news. Unpublished masters thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. Harmon, M. D. (1989). Mr. Gates goes electronic: The what and why questions in local TV news. Journalism Quarterly, 66, 857-863. Heath, J. (Ed.). (1993). Privatizing socialist enterprise. London: Routledge. Home Office, U.K. (1988). Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, choice, and quality. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. IP Groupe (1995, October). Television 95: European key facts. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France: Pastabol. Jacobs, Jerry. (1990). Changing channels. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield. McHugh & Hoffman. (1994). International and cross-cultural consulting, McHugh & Hoffman, Inc., Southfield, MI. Magid and Associates. (1996a). The Magid Institute, Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc., Marion, IA. Magid and Associates. (1996b, October). A company profile (international). Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc., Marion, IA. Maier, R. D. (1986). News consultants: Their use by and effect upon local television news in Louisiana. Unpublished masters thesis, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, LA. Mayeux, P. (1991). Broadcast news. Dubuque, IA: William C. Brown. McManus, J. (1990). How local television learns what is news. Journalism Quarterly, 647, 672-683. Miller, J. (1993, October 1). How the news doctors make breakfast more palatable. Sunday (London) Times, p. 17. Norris, E. (1987, June 8). Consultants tackle TV stations' main mistakes. Electronic Media, 3-6. O'Donnell, M. J. (1978). Newscast content of six Iowa television stations: News consultant- retaining stations versus non-consultant stations. Unpublished masters thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Peale, B., & Harmon, M. (1991). Television news consultants: Exploration of their effect on content. Paper presented to the Radio-Television Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Boston, MA. Porter, V. (1993). Broadcasting pluralism and the freedom of expression in France, Germany and Ireland. In P. Drummond, R. Paterson & J. Willis. (Eds.), National identity in Europe. London: BFI. Powers, R. (1977). The newscasters. New York, NY: St. Martins. Ratings and programming. (1996, May 20). TV International, 6. Rickel, L., & E. Sardella. (1995). The producing strategy. San Antonio, TX: Broadcast Image. Robinson, J., & Levy, D. (1986). The main source. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Rondinelli, D. (Ed.). (1994). Privatization and economic reform in Central Europe. Westport, CT: Quorum. Shook, F. and D. Lattimore. (1992). The broadcast news process. Englewood, CO: Morton. Wittstock, M. (1992, November 25). Brooke tells BBC use license fees to fund changes, (London) Times, 1-2. Sold American TABLE 1 Story Length of Non-Consulted and Consulted Newscasts (by time) BBC1 Channel 4 Pro 7 RTL2 NonConsultd Consulted NonConsultd Consulted Minimum 0:00:10 0:00:15 0:00:17 0:00:03 Maximum 0:03:43 0:07:18 0:02:37 0:02:15 Total Time 2:53:20 3:12:00 1:44:25 1:48:25 Items 137 198 106 138 Average Story Length 0:01:19 0:01:01 0:00:59 0:00:47 TABLE 2 Mode of Presentation of Non-Consulted and Consulted Newscasts (by percent of airtime) BBC1 Channel 4 Pro 7 RTL2 NonConsultd Consulted NonConsultd Consulted Non-Consulted Characteristics Reader-On Camera 16.2 7.0 15.2 14.4 Interview/Soundbite 3.2 13.8 26.1 3.2 Consulted Characteristics Voice Over 6.0 9.7 11.1 31.1 Package 72.8 55.1 40.8 48.1 Live Remote 0.0 2.2 5.5 1.2 Teases 1.8 12.2 1.3 2.0 TOTAL AIRTIME 2:53:20 3:12:00 1:44:25 1:48:25 British Newscasts X2=23.48 df=5 p<.001 German Newscasts X2=30.88 df=5 p<.001 TABLE 3 Geographic Orientation of Non-Consulted and Consulted Newscasts (by percent of airtime) BBC1 Channel 4 Pro 7 RTL2 NonConsultd Consulted NonConsultd Consulted Non-Consulted Characteristics EC 16.7 5.3 10.8 9.2 Rest of Europe 3.0 8.8 13.8 8.6 Eastern Hemisphere 14.9 14.0 11.2 7.0 National/Cities 31.3 25.4 29.3 17.3 Consulted Characteristics National/Regional 27.6 35.8 23.2 43.2 Western Hemisphere 6.5 10.7 11.7 14.7 TOTAL AIRTIME 2:53:20 3:12:00 1:44:25 1:48:25 British Newscasts X2=11.48 df=5 p<.05 German Newscasts X2=11.74 df=5 p<.05 TABLE 4 Story Topic of Non-Consulted and Consulted Newscasts (by percent of airtime) BBC1 Channel 4 Pro 7 RTL2 NonConsultd Consulted NonConsultd Consulted Non-Consulted Characteristics Government 15.7 5.8 24.8 6.6 Politics 6.3 14.1 10.0 9.7 National Economy 14.2 10.3 4.9 0.0 Disasters-Wars 12.0 13.2 21.9 16.7 Education 3.2 2.1 1.0 0.0 Consulted Characteristics Crime 8.4 11.0 9.2 16.5 Unrest 10.3 16.4 6.0 6.1 Personal Economy 0.0 4.0 0.0 3.4 Health 7.1 8.4 2.5 3.3 Human Interest 7.0 7.7 5.1 16.7 Sports 6.9 3.4 2.7 10.9 Weather 6.1 3.0 10.3 7.3 Other 2.8 0.6 1.6 2.8 TOTAL AIRTIME 2:53:20 3:12:00 1:44:25 1:48:25 British Newscasts X2=20.02 df=12 p<.001 German Newscasts X2=31.66 df=12 p<.001
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West Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies arrested Ronald Wilkerson, 40, and charged him with kidnapping. Wilkerson was arrested on a warrant and held him as a fugitive for Duson detectives.
Duson Police Chief Andrew Frank says he has bene in touch with Felix.
He is the brother of the first person arrested in the case, Leon Wilkerson, 43. Leon Wilkerson was charged with second-degree kidnapping and simple rape in the Felix case.
The FBI is now involved in the Felix case as well, according to the "Find Keiosha Felix Now" Facebook page. The page also states a Crime Stoppers reward is expected soon.
Police also served a search warrant at Maison de Mere, a home in Lafayette for teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting a child, as part of their investigation into Felix's disappearance.
Along with the Wilkerson brothers, two of Felix's relatives have been arrested in connection with the case–her cousin, Portia Felix, and her aunt, Patricia Andrus. Their arrest affadavits state the two lied about Keiosha Felix's disappearance. Portia Felix was charged with obstruction of justice and Andrus with accessory to rape and improper supervision.
Duson Police continue to search for information about Keiosha Felix as they fear she is in danger. Also very little is known of the whereabouts of Keiosha Felix's one-year-old child.
Keiosha Felix has been missing since April 30.

subset: commoncrawl


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What John Glenn Saw When He Became the First American to Orbit Earth
Five minutes and four seconds into the flight of the Friendship 7, as John Glenn prepared to become the first American to orbit Earth, he radioed to NASA, his capsule turned and brought the Earth into sight. "Oh, that view is tremendous," he said.
After a trip across the Indian Ocean, mission control told Glenn that he'd be seeing the lights of Perth in western Australia. He confirmed that he did see them. "The lights show up very well and thank everybody for turning them on, will you?" Glenn joked.
"In the periscope, I can see the brilliant blue horizon coming up behind me; approaching sunrise. Over." Mission Control replied, "You are very lucky." Glenn said, "You're right. Man, this is beautiful."
One of the many men I would love to have the honor to shake their hand.


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LUMBERTON — The new congressman for almost all of Robeson County on Wednesday assured key members of the business community and public officials that he will push for legislation easing banking and business regulations that stifle job creation.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, who plans to meet with members of the business community this week in nine of the 12 counties in the 8th District, met with Fairmont Mayor Charles Kemp and his Job Opportunities and Business Support Team Wednesday morning and with members of the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce and Lumberton officials in the afternoon. At both sessions, the congressman heard the same complaint: Federal regulations are preventing economic and business growth in North Carolina and across the country.
Hudson agreed with those who told him that those who would expand or establish new businesses, resulting in job creation, are not moving forward because of "uncertainty" of how changes in the tax structure, banking regulations and health care policies will affect their businesses.
"Current regulations do make for uncertainty and need to be changed," Hudson said. "I can't promise to turn things around overnight, but I'll work on it."
Lumberton businessman Kenneth Rust, who owns several McDonald's franchises, said that "uncertainty" is the "killer" of entrepreneurs wanting to begin or expand a business. He said that he is concerned whether his employees will be able to afford government-mandated health .
"Health insurance I offer will be by definition affordable, but something needs to be done to help those who can't afford that," he said.
Hudson, who on Wednesday marked his sixth day as a member of Congress, said that his No. 1 priority is job creation.
"The best way for job creation is through expanding existing businesses and encouraging entrepreneurs to create new businesses," he said. "…We have to make sure our existing employers can grow, our entrepreneurs can create new jobs and our farmers can stay in business."
Hudson, a conservative Republican from Concord who served as the District 8 director for former U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes, said that it is going to take bi-partisan support in Washington, D.C. to get anything accomplished. Hudson said that his first days in the capital have included working to develop relationships with Democrats — especially freshmen Democrats — who he said will be needed to make changes in government that will move the nation forward.
Hudson also told those at both gatherings, which totaled about 40 people, that he plans to work closely with Rep. Mike McIntyre, the District 7 representative since 1996. A Lumberton Democrat, McIntyre lost almost all of Robeson County to redistricting.
Hudson said Robeson County should benefit from having representation by members of both parties.
"Mike and I will be working together. I look forward to working with him," Hudson said. "There are a lot of things that we agree on."
Hudson emphasized that the federal government must bring its spending under control.
"We absolutely are spending our children's future into the ground," he said.
According to Hudson, Democrats and Republicans need to address the issues of Social Security and Medicare immediately.
"Everyone knows that Social Security will go broke in 2036 and Medicare will go broke in 2023, and maybe earlier. But the problem is not being addressed," he said. "We've got to preserve these programs. Democrats and Republicans need to work together."
Hudson said his committee assignments include Agriculture, Educational Workforce and Homeland Security.


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Rumours: Travolta's on Number 3, Russell Brand, MTV, Katy Perry, See GaGa on The Simpsons
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Nesha is a classy mom. Check her out. At 8 1/2 months pregnant, her friends are throwing her a black and white baby shower.
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Infrastructure Planning Commission to be abolished from April
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- March 1 2012
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Punch Shots: Baseball says goodbye to 'The Man'
The news came across the wire late last night that Stan Musial, the pride of Donora, Pa., had passed away. For most baseball fans, Musial is a recognizable name, but some of the greatness of the Hall of Famer may be lost to posterity. What's certain is that he's the greatest St. Louis Cardinal ever, an honor hardly without competition, a man who also led them to a World Series title in 1967 as the general manager and served as a constant front-office presence.
So for the statheads out there, here's a better illustration of Musial's greatness.
• Stan the Man hit 475 home runs. He wasn't a power hitter by anyone's reckoning.
• Musial was a 20-time All-Star. 20!
• The usual stats roll off the tongue, accolades like being a three-time MVP and seven-time batting champ. But more impressive is the fact that he received MVP votes in every full season but three, including finishing as the runner up in 1958 at age 36.
• In his first MVP season, Musial won the batting title in 1943 with his average of .357. He made 700 plate appearances and struck out just 18 times.
• Perhaps his best season came in 1948, when he hit .376 with a 1.152 OPS and 230 hits. He struck out 34 times that year, and only five players in either league have hit for a higher average in the 64 seasons since.
• His career slash line: .331/.417/.559. He had 3,630 hits, including a bizarre 1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road. He also walked (1,599) well over twice as many times as he struck out (696).
• Oh yeah, he did all this while giving up a year to military service in 1945.
• And perhaps in the most telling stat about what a tremendous individual Musial was is this: He and his wife, Lillian, were married for 71 years and 11 months before her death last May. Continued...
The Man, indeed.
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- VITO: Sixers short on options to remedy slow starts (With Videos)
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Hi! My name is Ruby. I am a Boston Terrorist (oops, I mean Terrier) who loves to run, play in mud and eat snackies.
Dogster Profile | Blogger Profile
Send me Pee-mail...
What have I been doing for the last 9 months???
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
7:07 PM | 21 Belly Rubs
21 Responses to "What have I been doing for the last 9 months???"
- Maggie and Mitch said... 2:16 AM
I know just what it feels like to get a brother, Ruby! You'll get used to him after awhile and learn to love him. I promise!
Love ya lots
Maggie - Mango said... 3:31 AM
Not only are you neglected but now you have to play nursemaid to that little white devil? What is the world coming to indeed.
mango - C.l.o.v.e.r. said... 4:47 AM
Squeeeeeeeeee Ruby I love that picture of you! You have a great smile!!
I really think Speeeedy is cute too - I hope you are enjoying having a brother. I wasn't so sure at first when Chew came to live with us, but now I love having a snuggle partner.
xo - Gus said... 4:48 AM
Sibs are the worst and the best. Ask me. I know.
gussie - Mack said... 6:32 AM
Just look at that smile on Speeeedy ! He knows how lucky he is!
Mack - Jake of Florida said... 8:31 AM
Me too,I remember clearly what it was like when I was the only four-legged inhabitant of this place and got to play catch with Dogdad and had long cuddle sessions with Mom. Now all my toys seem to be my brother's and everytime the humans start to play with me,"he" gets in the act.
It is kind of fun having bark along sessions with him though -- and yeah, if tortured I guess I'd say that he is a pretty cool guy.
So the moral of the story is that you'llget used to the guy and have some fun -- different -- but fun.
Wirey woofs,
Jake - Archie and Melissa said... 1:12 PM
hi ruby!
oh how exciting!
we have seen some pictures of speedy on fb.
we are so excited he has joined your pack!
what a lucky pup to have you and your mom!
we cannot wait to read about all of your new adventures! - Opy - the Original GruffPuppy said... 11:14 PM
I love that picture ! It is absolutely pawsome !!!
Love Pingy - Shane Kent Louis said... 7:13 PM
Woof! you look so fabulous!
Dog Fence | It's All About Pet Fences - Ailsa,Teesha, Burtie and there Humans said... 6:08 AM
Ailsa here, oHHH so glad to see you again, we'll have to move you to the main list again, while you were away they got me a new sister whos a right pest because they thout I might be lonely.so I can understand how you feeling.
- Pippa said... 8:12 AM
hello Ruby, good to see you back - and welcome to your new bro
Pippa - Bella the Boxer said... 3:31 PM
Ruby, dahling! So happy to see you again (okay, I'm a little late in my comments). I appreciate your Mama's comments on my FB page, too. Can't wait to hear what you've been up to. Missed you!
- Mitch and angel Maggie said... 5:38 AM
Hey Ruby,
Do you ever hear from Petra or Tad? I wonder how they're doing?
Love ya lots,
Mitch - Mango said... 8:13 AM
Miss Ruby! You are about to be dethroned! This cannot be allowed to happen. Should I come over and give that little so and so a talkin to?
P.S. Thanks for visiting momma's stupid book blog. - James said... 6:52 AM
Hi – Will you please post a link to your Blog at The Boston Terriers Community at vorts.com? Our members will love it.
Members include: Boston Terriers Owners, Breeders, Trainers, and Lovers.
It's easy to do, just cut and paste the link and it automatically links back to your website...
You can also add Photos, Videos, Rescues and Classifieds if you like.
Email me if you need any help or would like me to do it for you.
The Boston Terriers Community: http://www.vorts.com/boston_terriers/
James Kaufman, Editor - Willis Peyton said... 2:08 PM
All the pics are looking gorgeous thanks for sharing and just keep up the good work.
Lapel Pins - Ansel Rhett said... 2:19 AM
Nice photos Belly... just keep it up and share more posts like it.
Arik Air Tickets - John Rose said... 8:44 PM
Great work,keep it up..
Lapel Pins - raiman daivs said... 1:47 AM
He is feeling happy to see something for eat.. :)
Kerala holiday packages - Frank Delaney said... 11:56 PM
I think he is founding foods.
Apartment Software - johan habit said... 10:14 PM
Good to know that you bro is back now and you also.
Mobile Trace Number


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Started by
Eddie Z
, Dec 02 2012 08:24 PM
19 replies to this topic
Posted 02 December 2012 - 08:24 PM
I was kind of liking that show...until things stopped adding up. I just couldn't understand why people who are performing such illegal activity would put themselves out there like this.
As I dug in more, turns out this show is a complete fabrication.
As I dug in more, turns out this show is a complete fabrication.
Posted 02 December 2012 - 09:22 PM
kind of sad that they would try to pass it off as real like they do... I had a feeling though because they really weren't doing much to hide the identity of the "moonshiners" and I doubt they would be so loose about it if the people on the show were actually doing anything they shouldn't be
Posted 02 December 2012 - 09:34 PM
In the last few episodes, a couple of guys are digging a secret still facility right under the (main?) stage of the Plum Hollow Music festival. They don't even try to hide this fact. You can Google that festival's website, and find exactly where it is.
Coincidentally, it's also the home of a Moonshiners Reunion festival.
Surely ABC agents don't watch this TV show. LOL.
Coincidentally, it's also the home of a Moonshiners Reunion festival.
Surely ABC agents don't watch this TV show. LOL.
Posted 05 December 2012 - 02:12 PM
all reality programming is contrived horseshit.
however I do enjoy an episode of pawn stars or american pickers
American Pickers has become so much more entertaining since I started to pretend that Mike and Frank are in-the-closet gay lovers. Thats why they always travel togeter and leave Danielle back at the office...
Posted 05 December 2012 - 06:25 PM
Yep.. Like the guy that asked to keep his identity secret so they blur him out, a couple of them did say they were making legal shine but would go back to the illegal to get their operations going.. Tabbooma likes them Robertson boys
I was "forced" to watch a Duck Dynasty marathon the day after Thanksgiving with my sister and her family, and you know what, I liked it. Some backwoods charm going on there. American Restoration is my favorite of that ilk, though.
Posted 16 December 2012 - 03:25 AM
I finally see the "angle" behind Moonshiners. I see it as an elaborate sales pitch for Tim Smith's Legal Moonshining endeavor. Not unlike how Orange County Choppers became a multi million dollar business from the American Chopper Exposure. Tim Smith *was* a moonshiner, but he's retired from that game now. The freakin guy has his own website even. http://timsmithmoonshine.com/


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Lecture-lab course providing a survey of general chemical principles. Topics include matter, energy, atomic and molecular structure, bonding, reaction chemistry, and radioactivity. Knowledge of algebra, exponentials, and logarithms is expected. Three-hour lecture, two-hour laboratory. (Not open toward a major program in biology, chemistry, geology, or chemistry/physics.) Fall, Spring.
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Time: 8:00AM‑9:45AM (WF), 12:00PM‑1:50PM (F)
Location: SCIC-175
Secondary Location: SCIC-203
Start/End Date: Jan. 22, 2013 - May 10, 2013


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The City Council is to attend a briefing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, to discuss agenda items for the Altus Municipal Authority and City Council regular meetings scheduled for 6:30 p.m. later that day. No vote or action will occur during the briefing, but information on agenda items will be provided and discussed. A majority of council members are expected to be there.
Items to be discussed for approval on the consent agenda when the AMA meets at 6:30 p.m. include previous minutes, a $30,024.50 claim for expenses for the Altus High School renovation, and purchase orders for the Enterprise Fund. Also to consider, discuss and possibly vote on the AMA to issue it's Series 2013 note, up to $1.5 M for purchasing a fire aerial truck and infrastructure projects. Daniel McMahan will represent First National Bank of Altus to provide specific language on this item. A later item on the agenda is in place to consider, discuss and vote regarding the AMA issuing Series 2013A note pertaining to specific conditions and requirements being bet.
Council will also consider, discuss, and vote to award Bid #97080 for seven (7) 25kVA and four (4) kVA 120/240 Pole Mount Transformers, and Bid #97090 for one (1) 300 kVA and one (1) 500kVA 480Y/277, 3 Phase, Pad Mount Transformers of $37,132 Techline, Inc., of Van Alstyne, Texas.
They will also consider, discuss and vote to approve the agreement to transfer ownership of 25.86 acres located in the 700 Block of N. Market Rd. for $55,535 from AMA to Witchita, Tillman & Jackson Railway, and on authorizing such an agreement and required documentation at closing by Bailey's Abstract and Title.
Further items include the review, discussion, and vote for awarding a contract, Bid alternate #1, for $129,062.50 to Western Prairie Services, LLC, of Duke.
A vote is scheduled to go into executive session to discuss matters of economic development, to include the transfer of property, financing, or the creation of a proposal to entice a business to locate within jurisdiction if public disclosure of the matter would violate the confidentiality of the business. Council will then move to open session and vote on the item.
After proposing any possible new business the meeting should adjourn and the regular City Council meeting will call to order.
City Council will consider the items on the consent agenda including minutes from the Jan. 8, regular meeting and Jan. 16, special meeting, and approve purchase orders for the general fund, workers comp fund, assurance fund, airport fund, and emergency 911 fund. They will consider approval of estimated payroll for January, and figures from December 2012. Additionally they will consider, discuss and vote to approve revised dates for the 2013 holiday schedule for City of Altus employees.
Council members are to consider, discuss, and vote to approve responsibility by the AMA through the issuance of is series 2013A note, and vote to approve waiving competitive bidding to proceed with the sale, as discussed during the AMA meeting.
They will also consider, discuss, and vote on a partnership agreement being drafted between Shurway, Inc., and the City for the development of the Hunter Bridge Project, and to vote on timing of permits. An item to award bid alternate #1 for $129,062.50 to Western Prairie Services, LLC will be reviewed, discussed, and voted on. Additionally, to vote on whether Wester Prairie Servives, LLC and subcontractors can act as purchasing agents for construction of a city water main installation.
As scheduled, Council will vote to go into executive session, to discuss confidential communications between the governing body and and its legal counsel related to pending EEOC complaint against the City of Altus, filed by Janice L. Estelle, and as to whether disclosure will impair the ability of the public body to conduct the pending claim or litigation, and vote. They will then move to open session and vote on the discussed item.
Council will propose any new business if possible, close with mayor's appointments, administrator's and council members comments and reports, mayors comments and reports.


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This Texas Rangers All-Star shares his tumultuous journey to baseball superstardom.
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Shawn Brown talks faith and baseball with players from the Cardinals and Rangers as they square off on baseball's biggest stage.
Gene Chizik: All In
Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik shares how his faith helped him go from a 5-19 record to the BCS National Championship from his book, "All In."
Colt McCoy: Growing Up Colt
CBN Sports' Shawn Brown breaks down football and faith with 2nd year Cleveland Browns quarterback, Colt McCoy.
Seven Days in Utopia
David Cook, author of Golf's Sacred Journey, shares about the inspiration behind the story and discusses the new movie based on the book, Seven Days in Utopia.
J.D. Hill: Catch the Vision
He was an NFL star who wound up in a crack house. See J.D. Hill's miracle story.
Ron Waterman: Strong Faith
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Ashley Fiolek is not only making waves as a female rider in the male dominated sport of motocross, but she's doing it without the ability to hear.
Luther Wright: Hoop Dreams
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Bethany has been inspiring millions with her courageous story of overcoming. She lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing and has since returned to the water, her love.
Pro Golfer Tom Lehman
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Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly
Hunter Kelly was born with a terrible disease that took his life after eight years. His parents, Jim and Jill share how Hunter's death brought them closer together and closer to God
NASCAR's Michael McDowell
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Playing With Purpose
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Bernie Carbo: A Major League Confession
The Boston Red Sox outfielder was a baseball legend, but what fans may not know is that Bernie was high almost every day of his career.


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I have a monarch I raised outside that changed today. It's been in the low 50s today and it's supposed to get into the low 40s tonight. He has been hanging upside from his chrysalis all day and hasn't gone near the flowers in the garden. He's been free to leave all day, but I think the wind chill and the temperature hasn't been good. He's pretty inactive.
Should I take him in tonight and give him some Gatorade and hope for warmer weather tomorrow (It's supposed to get up to the 70s tomorrow and lows in the 40s) or should I leave him?
My first time having to release with cold weather! I live in Louisiana and normally it's always warm. I feel bad for the other that I released two days ago.