By Paul Greeley

NOTE: This story was first published on News Blues on July 13.  

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Local TV stations that lead off their linear newscasts with a super tease can create a thirst for news among viewers.

The super tease is a carefully edited compilation of elements from the newscast designed to give viewers a sense of urgency, “providing just enough information to engage viewers but leaving room for further elaboration once the show begins,” according to Tegan Copeland, news producer at First Coast News, Tegna’s WTLV and WJXX, the NBC and ABC affiliates in Jacksonville. Look for her examples at the bottom of this article.

Hopefully, it will leave the viewers with the feeling that there is a lot going on and that this station appears to be everywhere covering it.

If done for the late newscast, the super tease can convince viewers to forgo sleep and watch the news.

But they can work for the opening to any newscast.

The elements edited together can be soundbites, reporter stand-up teases from the field, anchor and meteorologists’ teases from the studio, breaking news clips and any compelling video.

The camerawork is cinema verité, documentary style, with quick pans and pop zooms. The copy is crisp and short and to the point.

Creating a super tease is time consuming and not easy. You need to know almost everything that’s in the newscast.

You need the cooperation of the talent. Then you need to shoot the talent saying what you’ve written, and edit those on-camera elements with everything else you have from the newscast stories.

It takes time and a commitment.

And I believe you can use these elements from the super tease to make a news topical that airs in the last hour before the late news.

There are thousands of viewers sitting there watching the primetime network entertainment program that leads into the news.

A perfect time and place to create a thirst for news.

Here are some examples that were posted to social media:

WBIR, Tegna’s NBC in Knoxville

Ryn Drummond, a news producer for WBIR, posted this super tease saying the start of a holiday weekend called for a fun super open.

Last Friday’s newscast featured three live shots: weather, sports and some early 4th of July coverage. I wanted to find a creative way to tie those hits together (along with a reporter look-live) right off the top, and this is what we came up with.

One of my favorite parts of producing at WBIR-TV is working with anchors, reporters and editors who will make some extra time to give a newscast something special.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Any feedback or creative ideas for future super opens are encouraged 😁

WCTI, New Bern, North Carolina

Michelle Pumphrey, a morning news producer at WCTI, Sinclair’s ABC affiliate in New Bern, North Carolina, posted this tease describing it as a little post-Fourth sparkle from the newsroom.

In news, we spend so much time covering the serious, the urgent, and the unexpected.

So when there’s a chance to bring a little energy, creativity, and fun to the broadcast, I’m all for it.

A festive moment, a strong team, and a little sparkle can go a long way.

WMUR, Manchester, New Hampshire

Ireland Fitzer, news producer at WMUR, Hearst’s ABC affiliate in Manchester, New Hampshire, posted this on social saying she feels lucky to work alongside such a fun and amazing team, especially on a holiday.

Even though those early mornings can be tough, the people make them so much better.

Here are a couple opening clips from today’s show.

WBBH/WZVN, Ft. Myers

Jarrett Harding, news producer at WBBH and WZVN, Hearst’s NBC and ABC affiliate in Ft. Myers, posted on social media that there is a scam going around parts of Southwest Florida.

Today I had a creative idea about how I wanted to showcase it outside of the Gulf Coast News studio.

I was really happy with my idea and the execution.

Great job to Channing Frampton and Spencer Trabbold for all of the help it took to make it happen.

WINK, Ft. Myers

Emma Heaton is a news anchor at WINK, the CBS affiliate in Ft. Myers.

She posted on social media that “this is why we work so hard every day… to bring you the biggest stories of the night and help prepare you for tomorrow,” she wrote.

From extreme heat and weather updates to crime, breaking news, and stories impacting our community, WINK News is working around the clock to keep you informed and covered.

This is a look inside the A Block of our 10 o’clock show. A glimpse of what you can expect when you make WINK News your trusted source for the stories that matter most.

First Coast News in Jacksonville

Paul Greeley is the manager and a writer for News Blues.

He can be reached at Paul@NewsBlues.com or 817-578-6324.