RTDNA

2019 Local TV and Radio Newsroom Survey

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/Lawrence Herbert School of Communication - 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 be the first to receive each 2019 report in your inbox.

Advance press copies are available shortly before each release. Contact us to request advance copies.

Local News Salaries

Salary Overview

TV News Salary Report

Radio News Salary Report

Local News Outlook: How optimistic are TV and Radio News Directors?

Local News Numbers

Newsroom Diversity

Local radio and TV newsroom diversity report

2018 Reports:

Local News Staffing

The Business of News

Local News Salaries

News Director Files

Digital & Tech

Local News Numbers

Newsroom Diversity

Prior year reports

About the Survey

The RTDNA/Lawrence Herbert School of Communication - Hofstra University Survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2018 among all 1,685 operating, non-satellite television stations and a random sample of 3,481 radio stations. Valid responses came from 1,310 television stations (77.7%) and 645 radio news directors and general managers representing 1,938 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 annual Survey for 25 years as of 2019. Our thanks to Bob for his dedication and uncanny ability to hold a quarter-century of local news trends in his head and recount them with ease. This research was supported by the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University and the Radio Television Digital News Association.