How do you get on TV?

[Archatype]

Never quite understood this if we let aside press releases.

For example this story here:
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Man torches neighbour's garden

How did BBC find it? The old man called up and said "hey, i put fire on my neighbors flowers, wanna broadcast it?"

I don't understand how the news channels find out all the quirky things that happen in daily life. Do they have agents around looking for something unusual?

[Bill Hicks]

Considering that when a celebrity (Yawn!) gets nicked the press are camped outside the police station within an hour I'd say that it's down to a police officer picking up the phone.

[Archatype]

Originally Posted by Bill Hicks

Considering that when a celebrity (Yawn!) gets nicked the press are camped outside the police station within an hour I'd say that it's down to a police officer picking up the phone.

Why would a police officer bother? he earns nothing. Remains a mystery to me how the media finds out unknown people to broadcast

[kBm]

Do the beeb not pick up news from the local press, its then makes local Beeb news and if its interesting enough, onto the big time!?

[Wild Weasel]

How did BBC find it?

They saw it on Sky News.

[kBm]

Originally Posted by Wild Weasel

How did BBC find it?

They saw it on Sky News.

'bout right, usually 3 days after too!

[mij]

A good way to get your light back if the neighbours over do it with the Leylandii.

[Archatype]

Originally Posted by Wild Weasel

How did BBC find it?

They saw it on Sky News.

How did Sky news find it?

C'mon guys...there must be an answer

[FZR400RRSP]

I would assume the BBC get offered stories from all sorts of sources.
'Associated Press', for example, seem to be a massive organisation used by everyone (SKY/BBC/CNN).
Presumably, researchers at BBC news sift through the stories and pay for the ones they take.
I would guess, in this instance, it may have gone something like;

Little old lady phones local paper and reports story - she gets £10 for it
Local paper uses it and sells it to Assoicated press - they get £50 for it
BBC researcher sees it on Associated press website (trade only access) - They pay £200 for it.

???

[eric pisch]

i would have to use a pair of steps and a balancing pole as my TV comes up to my shoulders