Do tv news channels select the news according to issue or according to the viewers?

Question

Do tv news channels select the news according to issue or according to the viewers?

Answer 1

There's an old expression in TV news:  If it bleeds, it leads.

Answer 2

There's always a balance, or at least there should be. Channels have to mix the news people need to know and the news people want to know. Some stations are on different points of the scale, and television tends to be a little more sensational than other news outlets, but it's still a mix.

Answer 3

according to how many people they think will watch it

Answer 4

Both actually. Stations make reveune from people watching so they have to keep showing what people want to see (like finding cheap gas and which candidate is in the lead) and know about. This is done in their "news hour."

On the off peak, they'll try to show some issues (Cyclone overseas, stimulus checks) that will be of interest the viewer.