From daytime through late night, we’re seeing shows broadcast remotely, to keep people safe during the coronavirus crisis. For many, it’s a new experience. This week Yahoo Finance’s live video bell-to-bell coverage was produced, directed and anchored remotely, and Yahoo Finance’s editor-in-chief Andy Serwer and senior executive producer Andy Hoffman offered their key learnings and advice for others transitioning to a remote newscast.
Andy Hoffman: “First and foremost, we have the same mindset as if we were in our studio in terms of accuracy and timely reporting. Those two things can’t suffer just because we’re broadcasting from home.
“We’re also in constant contact with ‘all-hands’ meetings, engaged on Slack channels and email DLs. We give very specific responsibilities to people WFH so they know exactly what they have to do each day, and we have multiple sets of eyes on the live product to immediately troubleshoot problem shots or technical breakdowns.
“We’re all learning day by day, but what the Yahoo Finance and Verizon Media studios team has accomplished, all via remote broadcast this week, is phenomenal.”
Andy Serwer: “Try to anticipate what you can’t anticipate. Know there are going to be things you never thought and don’t get rattled. Train guests a bit before they come on air. Lighting, lighting, lighting.
“Ditto with audio. Have fun with it, don’t take yourself too seriously. This is by definition less formal. Roll with any gaffes. We used to say the news was coming into the viewers living room. Now they’re coming into ours!”
