| Local news media is undergoing a paradigm shift as the world – and the news audience – undergoes a digital transformation. But is the broadcast industry adapting fast enough? |
| The RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey is the only comprehensive annual research of radio and television newsrooms, providing unique insight into staffing, salaries, news coverage, business operations – and how local broadcast news is surviving in a digital world. |
| Local broadcast news is a fiercely competitive business – local TV and radio newsroom managers need to know what their competition is trying and to stay ahead of trends. |
| These informed insights into the broadcast business are only found here – at RTDNA. |
| New research is released each summer in several installments. Subscribe to RTDNA Updates to be the first to receive each new report in your inbox. |
| Advance press copies are available shortly before each release. Contact us to request advance copies. |
| Staffing |
| How many people are employed in local broadcast newsrooms? In what positions? Is hiring for news jobs up or down? |
 Past Years' Data |
|
|
| Salaries |
| How much do local news people make? What jobs’ salaries are growing most? Which markets are the best bet for making more? |
 Past Years' Data |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Local News by the Numbers |
| Who gets what on the air and how? Who owns broadcast stations, and how many of them produce news? How much news do they produce and when is it aired? |
 2017 report Past Years' Data |
|
|
| Media Diversity |
| Women and people of color are historically underrepresented in news media, especially in leadership positions. Are newsrooms growing more representative of their increasingly diverse audiences? |
 Past Years' Data |
| Digital Media/Tech |
| What’s new in broadcast news? Which platforms, technology and software are taking off – or about to? Which should your newsroom phase out? |
 |
| 2017 Report Past Years' Data |
|
|
| The Business of Local News |
| Is the local broadcast news business profitable? What budget trends are news directors reporting – and predicting? |
 |
| 2017 report Past Years' Data |
|
|
| About the Survey |
| The RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2017 among all 1,683 operating, non-satellite television stations and a random sample of 3,542 radio stations. Valid responses came from 1,333 television stations (79.2%) and 415 radio news directors and general managers representing 1,110 radio stations. Some data sets (e.g. the number of TV stations originating local news, getting it from others and women TV news directors) are based on a complete census and are not projected from a smaller sample. |
| About Bob |
| Bob Papper is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Hofstra University and has worked extensively in radio and TV news. He has headed the RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey for more than 20 years. This research was supported by the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University and the Radio Television Digital News Association. |
