National news consists of events, issues, and developments that affect an entire country or have significant national implications. These include politics, the economy, major disasters, and international events. The emergence of mass media and the development of technology has transformed journalism, with a wide variety of formats and programs now available to consumers.
The first serious attempt at dedicated television news began in 1941, when WCBW (now WCBS-TV) in New York City broadcast two daily news reports for nearly ninety minutes each. This broke down the unspoken barrier between radio and television, and marked a milestone in the evolution of national news coverage.
Today, major broadcasters offer newscasts throughout the day, with most networks offering a morning show (Good Morning America on ABC, CBS This Morning and the NBC morning shows) and an evening newscast. In addition, some stations also air local newscasts in the early morning and afternoon. On weekdays, the major broadcasters also air newsmagazine programs such as 20/20 on ABC, Dateline NBC on NBC and 60 Minutes on CBS.
In addition, many cable news channels feature rolling national news coverage with commentary from pundits. The major public broadcasting service, PBS, offers news and public affairs programming through its 349 member stations. Its evening and weekend newscasts feature interviews with prominent political figures, while its weekly newsmagazines focus on major national stories, such as the Vietnam War and Watergate. Its program Washington Week is a frequent winner of Emmy awards for its outstanding journalism.
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