NBC News’ new streaming platform uses ‘selfie standups’

By MixDex Article may include affiliate links

With the official launch of NBC News Now, the peacock’s streaming news service, correspondents appear on camera — though often in decidedly more millennial standup style.

• During a “soft launch” stream Tuesday, May 28, 2019, correspondent Hallie Jackson and Tehran bureau chief Ali Arouzi both appearing on camera through the afternoon.
• Instead of traditional standups, however, the pair used “selfie standups” that used mobile devices’ “selfie” mode using devices’ front facing cameras.
• While Jackson appeared to be originating from her live shot location and had the benefit of a full lighting setup, Arouzi appears to have filmed his on a street in Tehran in less than ideal lighting conditions — which created a more raw, “on the scene” feel.
• The framing also wasn’t ideal on either one, but again this worked to create a more informal look.
• According to NBC, the correspondents do film their own “selfie standups” using mobile devices.
• Now isn’t the first broadcaster to use this approach to standups — it’s popped up on local and even network news.
• ABC’s afternoon talker “Strahan & Sarah” also used a mobile device with a selfie stick and the iPhone camera app user interface for its pre-show teases when it launched, though it recently modified that look.