TV Q&A: Why do newscasts use so much file footage? They didn’t do that in Walter Cronkite’s day

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: Why is it that the local TV news stations feel the need to always fill with file photos/video when on a given subject? I’ll pick on KDKA, but they’re all similar.

For instance, if the subject is covid vaccinations we will see numerous clips of people with needles going into their arms or alternatively a conveyor of vials going down the production line.

I can’t imagine this ever happening when Walter Cronkite was doing the news. Why do the networks feel the need to fill with so much junk video? Just show the reporter until they finish, for gosh sakes!

— Thomas via email

Rob: TV is a visual medium and the modern style of newscast is more fast-paced than it was in Cronkite’s day — 40 years ago — hence, more video that illustrates a story (with the reporter talking over it) and less grip-n-grin images of reporters with a microphone for long stretches.

Q: I cannot believe ABC is getting rid of “Rebel,” one of the smartest shows with the best cast. Why?

— Eileen via voicemail

Rob: Same reason most shows are canceled: It wasn’t performing as well financially as the network thinks a replacement show will do.

In this case, “Rebel” had both low linear ratings and low viewership via streaming, on demand, etc. These days a show might be able to get away with one low-rated area (more likely linear) but not all.

Still, I was surprised by the cancellation if for no other reason than because “Rebel” creator Krista Vernoff is arguably ABC’s most important producer as she also oversees “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19.” You’d think ABC would prioritize keeping Vernoff happy — and she’s not happy about this cancellation — but maybe they do not.

Q: One of my favorite shows is being canceled, “The Moodys.” Love it and Denis Leary. It wasn’t given a chance. Why?

— Janet via Facebook

Rob: Fox gave “The Moodys” a second season which seems to qualify as a second chance. Fox has no comedy brand at the moment, which is part of the problem for any comedy that goes on that network.

Q: Will CBS be bringing back “Blood & Treasure” for season two? I thought I read somewhere they renewed it for season two but nothing has been said about when that will be.

— Tom, Coraopolis

Rob: They have filmed season two but it has not been scheduled.

Q: I started watching reruns of “That ‘70s Show” on Laff TV (Channel 11.3) a month or so ago. I happened to catch the first episode and they were running them in order from midnight to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday.

I have made it through almost five seasons thus far. According to the TV listings they jumped from season five to season seven skipping season six. Any idea why? Is there something special about season 6 or was this just an oversight?

— Jeff, Baldwin

Rob: Laff airs “That ‘70s Show” episode in order in daytime time slots, including season six, but Laff often skips seasons in overnights to avoid airing the same episodes within the same day or two.