Despite the explosion of interest in drones with cameras, one place you're not likely to see them used in the near future is commercial television newsrooms. A just released annual survey by the Radio Television Digital News Association and Hoftsra University reveals most stations have not used drones with cameras and don't plan on using them. Why you ask? That makes no sense. From a photographer or producer or reporter's perspective, it doesn't. These Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), as the FAA refers to them, are far cheaper than a news helicopter to acquire and operate and can get closer to the action.
The overriding reason news directors and TV stations are shying away from this technology is the Federal Aviation Administration's far-reaching rules and regulations regarding the flying of drones and use of the video they produce. The number one reason cited in RTDNA/Hofstra survey reflects this reality. Nearly a third of respondents said they consider using or buying the footage if someone else shoots it and makes it available. But others said they will not solicit drone footage, primarily because the FAA puts the onus of liability on the operator of the drone. Many corporations have also implemented policies prohibiting the use of drones with cameras for newsgathering to avoid liability issues.
Of the newsrooms that do use images captured by drones, most tend to be in larger TV markets and interestingly the size of the staff influences their use. The more staff, the greater the use. Stations in the more densely populated Northeast are also less likely to use drone footage.
How TV newsrooms use drone images:
- Special stories/events (16.3 percent)
- Breaking news (14.4 percent)
- Weather (14.4 percent)
- General story coverage (11.5 percent)
- Commercial production (6.7 percent)
- Sports (1.9 percent)
You can find the complete survey results here.
As an important note for commercial photographers, you can apply for an exemption to the FAA rules under Section 333. Be forewarned, the agency is swamped with applications right now, which is causing delays in processing requests. You should know and carry a copy of The Photographer's Right if you do use a drone for commercial purposes.
Let's not forget that exemption gives you only right to use drones for business, but operator must have at least sport pilot license.
Really, in the last year whenever there is an earthquake, war, flood, fire, oil spill, etc NBC Nightly news has drone footage. They aren't buying local content either it often has their reporter in the shot. I don't recall seeing local LA stations doing it though.
Seems like the cheapskate news execs would understand a $4000 drone that on the remote truck is cheaper and easier to work with in most situations than a $4 million news helicopter that is parked on the roof of the station.