Professional TV News Script Template and Broadcast Writing Guide

The industry standard for television news production is the two-column script format. This layout ensures that every member of the production team—from the news anchor and reporter to the video editor and technical director—understands exactly what should be happening on screen and what should be heard through the speakers at any given millisecond. The left column is dedicated to video instructions and visual cues, while the right column contains the spoken words, audio directions, and sound bites.

Industry Standard Two-Column Script Template

This template serves as the foundation for modern broadcast newsrooms. Whether producing a local morning show or a national evening broadcast, the structural integrity of this format remains the primary tool for communication between the writer and the production crew.

Decoding Broadcast Journalism Terminology

To utilize the template effectively, one must master the vernacular of the newsroom. These terms act as shorthand for complex production maneuvers.

1. The Slug

The slug is a brief, one-to-three-word identifier for the story. It is not the headline shown to the viewer, but rather the internal filing name. A story about a new park opening might have the slug "PARK OPENING." This identifier must appear at the top of every script page and video file associated with the story to prevent confusion during the fast-paced environment of a live broadcast.

2. VO (Voiceover)

A Voiceover occurs when the anchor's voice is heard while video footage (B-roll) or graphics are displayed on the screen. In the script, it is crucial to denote when the anchor is on camera versus when they are transitioning to VO.

3. SOT (Sound on Tape)

SOT refers to a pre-recorded sound bite, typically from an interview. It provides a first-person perspective or expert opinion. In a script, the SOT must include the "In-cue" (the first words spoken), the "Out-cue" (the last words spoken), and the "Duration" (DUR). This allows the technical director to know exactly when to switch back to the anchor or the next piece of video.

4. PKG (Package)

A package is a self-contained, pre-recorded report that includes a reporter’s voice track, multiple SOTs, B-roll, and often a "stand-up." Packages are usually 1:15 to 2:00 minutes long and represent the most comprehensive form of storytelling in a newscast.

5. B-Roll

B-roll is the supplemental or alternative footage intercut with the main shot. For example, if a story discusses a budget meeting, the B-roll might show people sitting at a conference table or shots of the building. It "covers" the anchor's voice track so the audience isn't just watching a "talking head" for the entire duration.

6. CG or Lower Thirds

CG stands for Character Generator. These are the text overlays that appear at the bottom of the screen (hence "Lower Thirds") to identify a speaker’s name and title, or to provide a location and time.

7. Nat Sound (Natural Sound)

Also known as "Nat Pops," these are ambient sounds from the scene—a siren, a cheering crowd, or a gavel striking. Including "Nat Sound" breaks in a script adds texture and makes the report feel more immersive.

Detailed Breakdown of News Story Forms

Not every story requires a full package. Depending on the importance of the news and the available visual assets, a producer will choose one of several formats.

The Reader (RDR)

A "Reader" is the simplest form of a news story. The anchor remains on camera for the entire duration, reading the script directly to the audience.

• Usage: Breaking news where video isn't available yet, or very short updates.
• Timing: Typically 15–20 seconds.
• Scripting Note: Only the AUDIO column is heavily populated; the VIDEO column simply notes "ANCHOR ON CAM."

The Voiceover (VO)

The VO is the workhorse of local news. The anchor starts on camera to introduce the topic and then continues reading while video plays.

• Timing: 20–30 seconds.
• Professional Tip: "Write to the video." If the video shows a burning building, the script should mention the fire at that exact moment. This is known in the industry as avoidng the "See-Dog, Say-Dog" trap by ensuring the words complement the images rather than merely narrating them redundantly.

The VO/SOT (Voiceover to Sound on Tape)

This format combines a voiceover with a short interview clip. It allows the anchor to provide the facts and then lets a witness or expert provide the emotion or opinion.

• Timing: 40–50 seconds.
• Structure:
  1. Anchor Lead-in (On Camera).
  2. VO (B-roll plays while anchor reads).
  3. SOT (Interview clip plays).
  4. VO or Tag (Anchor wraps up the story).

The Reporter Package (PKG)

The package is a produced masterpiece of broadcast journalism. It is usually voiced by a reporter rather than the studio anchor.

• Timing: 1:30 to 2:00.
• The Stand-up: The reporter appears on location to bridge two parts of the story or to demonstrate something that video alone cannot convey.
• The Diamond Structure: Many packages follow a "Diamond" approach—starting with a specific person affected by an issue (the "small" point), expanding to the broader statistics or policy (the "large" middle), and returning to the specific person for the conclusion.

Professional Broadcast Writing Techniques

Writing for the ear is fundamentally different from writing for the eye. A newspaper reader can re-read a sentence; a TV viewer cannot "re-hear" a sentence during a live broadcast.

1. Simplicity and Clarity

Use short, declarative sentences. The Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure is the gold standard of broadcast.

• Avoid: "The decision to renovate the library, which has been a point of contention for months, was finally made by the city council last night."
• Adopt: "The city council finally voted to renovate the library. The decision follows months of heated debate."

2. The Active Voice

Active voice creates a sense of immediacy and urgency.

• Passive: "A new law was signed by the governor today."
• Active: "The governor signed a new law today." It is shorter, punchier, and easier for the anchor to read without stumbling.

3. Writing for the Ear

Avoid "tongue twisters" and complex alliteration. Read your script out loud as you write it. If you run out of breath before finishing a sentence, the sentence is too long. Use phonetic spellings for difficult names in the script (e.g., Beijing becomes BAY-JING).

4. Matching Video and Audio

The "See-Dog, Say-Dog" rule is a fundamental principle. If you show a dog on screen, you should be talking about the dog. However, sophisticated writers use the audio to add depth to the video. If the video shows a line at a polling station, don't just say "People are waiting in line." Say "Voters waited up to three hours to cast their ballots." The video shows the line; the audio provides the context (three hours).

5. The "New, Now, Next" Rule

Broadcast news thrives on immediacy.

• New: What just happened?
• Now: What is the current situation?
• Next: What happens tomorrow or later tonight? Every lead-in should ideally answer one or more of these questions to keep the audience engaged.

Timing Your Script: The Math of Broadcast

In television, time is the most valuable commodity. Scripts are timed to the second. A general rule of thumb for broadcast reading speed is three words per second.

• 10 seconds: ~30 words.
• 20 seconds: ~60 words.
• 30 seconds: ~90 words.
• 60 seconds: ~180 words.

When writing in the two-column format, producers often use software like ENPS or AP NewsCenter that automatically calculates the estimated read time based on the character count in the Audio column. If writing manually, always perform a "cold read" with a stopwatch to ensure the story fits its allotted slot in the rundown.

Comprehensive Example: The Tech Expo Script

This example illustrates a VO/SOT/VO structure for a local news segment.

SLUG: TECH EXPO
WRITER: J. SMITH
TRT: 0:55

Essential Tips for Script Production

Nat Sound Integration

Do not fear silence. If you have a great piece of video with compelling natural sound—like a ribbon-cutting ceremony or a rocket launch—mark a "Nat Sound Pop" in your script.

• Scripting Note: [NAT POP: 0:03]. This tells the audio engineer to fade up the location sound for three seconds before the anchor resumes reading.

Use of Graphics

Graphics should simplify complex data. If you are reporting on a tax increase, don't just say the numbers. Use the Video column to call for a [FULL SCREEN GRAPHIC] that breaks down the percentage increase. The anchor should then walk the viewer through the graphic.

Ethical and Legal Guardrails

Television news carries significant influence, which necessitates a strict adherence to accuracy and fairness.

• Verification: Never include a fact in a script unless it has been verified by two independent sources.
• Fairness: If a story is critical of an organization or individual, the script must include their response or a statement that they "declined to comment."
• Defamation: Be precise with language. Use terms like "alleged" or "accused" when discussing criminal activities before a conviction.

Summary of the TV News Scripting Process

1. Select the Format: Choose between RDR, VO, VO/SOT, or PKG based on the story's depth.
2. Draft the Slug: Create a short, unique identifier.
3. Identify the Visuals: Review all available B-roll and SOTs before writing.
4. Write the Audio: Focus on clarity, active voice, and the SVO structure.
5. Time the Script: Read it aloud to ensure it matches the production time requirements.
6. Add Production Cues: Ensure all CGs, Lower Thirds, and Nat Sound transitions are clearly marked in the Video column.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a VO and a VO/SOT?

A VO (Voiceover) consists only of the anchor speaking over video. A VO/SOT (Voiceover to Sound on Tape) includes the voiceover but transitions into a short interview clip (the SOT) before concluding.

How do I format a script if I don't have a professional newsroom software?

A simple two-column table in a word processing program is sufficient. Ensure the left column is roughly 30% of the page width and the right column is 70%. Use bold headers for speaker names and bracketed capitalized text for production instructions.

Why do news scripts use all capital letters for the audio?

Traditionally, news scripts were written in all caps to make them easier for anchors to read from a teleprompter. While many modern systems allow for sentence case, some veterans still prefer all caps for the main anchor text to distinguish it clearly from production cues.

How long should a sound bite (SOT) be?

In modern broadcast news, the average SOT is between 8 and 12 seconds. Any longer, and you risk losing the viewer's attention. The goal of an SOT is to provide emotion or expert reaction, not to deliver dry facts that the anchor could state more quickly.

What does "Out-cue" mean?

The Out-cue (or OQ) is the final three or four words spoken in a recorded clip. It is a vital signal for the control room to know exactly when to cut the video or fade the audio back to the studio.