The 2014 February sweeps period is just around the corner. Desperate for stories? Try these? Like I've said before, non-TV folks may gag, but your TV manager might give you a pat on the back if you bring these in. Irresistible!
Old bathtubs found to pose lead exposure risks for children
Laura Rudeseal was surprised to learn that her children, Kassidy and Trevor, had been exposed to lead from the bathtub in their home.
The Squatty Potty product test
Squatty Potty® is a carefully designed toilet stool that puts YOU in exactly the correct position for fast, easy elimination, and keeps ITSELF out of the way when not in use. Have an anchor test this out...it would be hilarious...maybe.
Prankster Uses People's Social Media Over Sharing to Freak Them Out
Have a reporter do this, but it takes the right person to make it work. And your reporter actually has to understand social media to pull it off. This 'prank' highlights real issues with Internet privacy.
College students use 'sugar daddy' website for tuition
With the rising cost of tuition, many college students are looking for ways to pay for school, and an unconventional trend is growing in Texas. While the concept isn't new, it's gaining popularity with college students in Texas. College girls, sugar daddies...the promo is writing itself.
Public Enemies: Social Media Is Fueling Gang Wars
Is this happening in your city? Have a social media producer start searching for examples in your town.
A look inside teens’ secret social media apps
Here is another example of scaring parents with social media. This story is a throw down TV sweeps classic by now. Call it one of the greatest hits. Before this...it was secret teen texting codes. Or maybe even teen sexting.
Is This the Face of Bigfoot? One Man’s Texas-Sized Claim [PHOTOS]
I've worked for a station that did a Bigfoot story during a sweeps period. Here is a Texas story about the big guy. Talk about big footing the competition in the ratings!
The World’s Best Bounty Hunter Is 4-Foot-11. Here’s How She Hunts
At 4'11" and just over 100 pounds, Michelle Gomez doesn’t look like the sort of person you’d hire to retrieve earth moving equipment stolen by a Peruvian crime family. Gomez, the proprietor of a one-woman operation in Lockhart, Texas, called Unlimited Recoveries, is one of the best skip tracers in the world.
Teen Who Injected Krokodil In Genitals Was From Houston, Mexican Officials Say
I mentioned Krokodil back in November as a possible story idea. Now reports say a Houston girl was using it. This drug is horrific enough to scare up audiences for sweeps as TV stations like to do. But the critics call it yellow journalism. Oh well, if you are losing in the Feb. book, who cares what the critics say...right?
UPDATE
Readers are sending in more since I posted.
The E-Cigarette Industry, Waiting to Exhale
All kinds of developments are happening in the E-Cigarette industry all across the United States. This can be a story on a local issue or the overall phenomenon. You might even want to focus on how good Jenny McCarthy looks in the blu eCigs commercial. Seriously, she looks great in that ad.
Remember, these can be re-used and recycled, just put them away in the drawer and pull them back out when you need them again.
RELATED
- November TV sweeps story ideas 2013
- Sex TV sweeps story cancelled after violent threats
- Must be TV sweeps month when the anchor pole dances
- Top 5 Houston area cell phone wreck hot spots
- Diets put to the test
- Top 10 homemade remedies for what ails you
- The great sweeps promo decoder
- AUDIO: TV Sweeps from Hell
- VIDEO: Truth behind hotel drinking glasses...
- Pocket change could be a real treasure
