Let's start this issue with an advertorial.

The pandemic has created many changes and disruptions. We have been told that SAFE AT HOME is one of the best ways to ensure social distancing, even as the state tries to reopen. Yet with fewer people in their cars, radio listening has INCREASED in many markets.

Between on-air ratings and online streaming metrics, the proof is undeniable: people are yearning for local information, delivered by people they know, like and trust. Another lesson from safe distancing: whether radio or TV, consumers empathize with anchors, reporters and entertainers working from locations other than their studios.

That is where VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can help. Current economic interruptions make it difficult for local stations to provide the kind of quality information and talent that consumers and advertisers' demand. And now, your biggest competition is most likely their cell phone!

Why does my station even need local news?

Research shows that the not-so-secret ingredient to radio success is content that is 'local, local, local'.  However, economic pressures have forced many stations to rely on only a national news network, eliminate a news presence all together ceding local information to other technologies. Whether you have a Music Station focusing primarily on drive-time updates, or a News/Talk format demanding round-the-clock updates, relevant local information is a critical key to keeping your audience. Markets with electronic ratings measurement have found that their news and information segments are among the highest-rated minutes of the hour. This, in turn, adds value to news sponsorships. 

Why should I outsource my station's news?

For too many radio operations, recent events have made it more challenging to justify the cost of even one full-time news staffer. But when you share the cost with other stations, everybody has better quality at far less expense. Each VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ anchor has years of industry experience and your anchor (or anchors if you like) will be exclusive to your stations. Plus, they sound like they are part of your staff.

How can you know what's going on in my market?

Of course, VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can do the normal beat calls and web site checks. We also get on relevant email and fax distribution lists for your station. In a Corona world, we've seen that technology makes it simple for virtually every staffer to work from outside the building. In many situations, traffic and billing is handled somewhere else, and now you can have a larger sounding newsroom and not worry about all the issues that go along with a local hire.

Want to learn more?

Go to virtualnewscenter.com or call CEO Joel Dearing at 877-470-6397 to learn how VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can help you.