A live news broadcast is a television program that shows events occurring right now. These programs are usually aired on conventional broadcast television, although streaming services and digital cable TV also offer live channels. Unlike recorded and tape-delayed television shows, which are produced and distributed from a studio, live broadcasts must be conducted on location. They are often interrupted by breaking news events.
During the 1950s, before videotape technology became widely available, most television was live. Until the 1970s, even scripted television shows such as soap operas were broadcast live. Today, major networks break into regular programming to air live coverage of local or national breaking news events.
Some famous examples of live news are the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which was viewed by millions of people worldwide, and the live broadcast of the twin towers collapsing on September 11, 2001. The live airing of a State funeral is also an important milestone in the history of live news broadcasts, as this was the first time such an event was filmed for television and seen by large audiences around the world.
Many popular morning shows, such as Good Morning Britain and Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel in the UK; Sunrise in Australia and Your Morning in Canada; and CBS Sunday Morning and Face The Nation on NBC in the United States, are aired live, as well as breaking news and sports coverage. Streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Prime offer live channels, and the upcoming release of Apple TV will allow users to access live news channels as part of their service.
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