A Microsoft Promo

Analysis:

This story is in many ways a promotional piece about the new Microsoft X-Box. The area stores have sold out according to the reporter, who relies on comments exclusively from business such as Microsoft and Target stores. How does reporting to viewers that these new video games systems are selling out constitute as news? The reporter could have talked to gamers to find out about the popularity of the game and even more importantly the reporter could have spoken with the cultural/social impact of video game use or even looked at the working conditions in China, especially since the workers might have to put in extra hours to meet the demands.

Story:

WOOD TV 8 News reader – Long lines to get the latest version of the X-box today. Released just in time for the holiday shopping season, the trouble tonight most stores are out of them.

Reporter – We Sue if you are looking for the new X-box 360 you can stop looking for now. Retailers across West Michigan, including Target stores tell us they have sold out. Now earlier today 24 Hour News 8 asked Microsoft when the next shipments will arrive.

West Michigan video gamers were out in force, out in the cold and waiting in long lines, hopeful to land the newest X-box 360. Many getting the cold should when supplies of the console ran out. At the Target on 28th street the first guests were handed a ticket to keep order.

Business spokesperson – Oh man, those went in minutes it seems like. We had folks in here at 10:00 in the evening time, waiting and the stores doesn’t open up until 8:00 in the morning.

Reporter – It is a nationwide sellout. Microsoft, a console maker tells 24 hour news 8 that it’s 2 facilities in China are making X-box 360s as fast as it can. Loading them up headed for the US.

Microsoft Spokesperson – In the first 90 days we think we will sell 2 million to 3.75 million consoles.

Reporter – However that is not enough to meet the overwhelming demand. Games with better power and more graphics will have to wait for most X-box fans. Microsoft says retailers can expect deliveries every week, but it will be up to each retailer to decide how those new units will be allocated.

Now if you want the new 360 it will come on a first come first serve basis. When I spoke with Microsoft they said call retailers ahead of time and ask how many they plan on receiving and oh it might not be a bad idea to wait and save your money. These things are going for $300 to $400 depending on the model unit.

Total Time: 2 minutes and 5 seconds