News ticker
What is a news ticker?
A news ticker is a text-based display that usually appears at the bottom of a news broadcast or live stream. Concise phrasing about current events or important updates is presented on the news ticker in a horizontal, side-scrolling string of text.
A news ticker allows viewers to grasp the gist of the information quickly while reading about many developments and events at once. It’s a popular tool used by television networks, websites, and live streams to break news, highlight information, and even feature subscribers or fans.
The primary purpose of a news ticker is to provide real-time updates without interrupting the main content on the screen. This allows viewers to stay informed about other important events while still focusing on the primary content they are engaged with.
Historical background of the news ticker
The original iteration of the news ticker dates back to the 19th century. The first news ticker, known as the "stock ticker," was used to convey stock market information. This mechanical device was invented in 1867 to keep track of the latest stock prices.
With the advent of television, the news ticker evolved into the form we are familiar with that’s often used by news networks today. The first television news ticker was introduced by CNN in 1992 to provide updates on the first Gulf War. Since then, the news ticker has become a common feature on news channels, financial networks, and live streams.
Types of news tickers
Television news tickers
Television news tickers are displayed horizontally beneath the main content of the news broadcast. They provide real-time updates on various topics like important news updates, weather information, and movements in the stock market. When most people think of a news ticker, this is probably the first format that comes to mind.
Website news tickers
Web news tickers are commonly found on news websites and financial portals. They are typically placed at the top or bottom of the webpage and provide a continuous stream of updates. These news tickers are often interactive, allowing users to click on the ticker text for more detailed information on particular topics.
News tickers in live streaming
With the advent of live streaming, content creators have found creative ways to use news on their stream. Many streamers on Twitch and YouTube have tickers near their facecam or the bottom of their stream layout. These often display the names of subscribers or viewers that contribute money to the stream as a way of showing appreciation towards their audience.
Creating a news ticker for live streaming
Creating a news ticker is especially easy if you want to display names or information on your live stream. Most streaming programs have the option to add a banner or text box at the bottom of your stream layout. Services like Restream, OBS Studio, and StreamYard allow users to enable scrolling on the text banner so that it remains animated and refreshes throughout the stream.
Simply enter the text you want displayed on the banner and choose the dynamic option that visually fits your stream. For specialized text tickers like top donors and subscribers, the Streamlabs plugin for OBS Studio is the standard for most content creators.
The impact of the news ticker
The news ticker has made information consumption faster and more concise, especially in live or broadcasting environments. By providing real-time updates, news tickers can inform viewers effectively without forcing them to switch between different sources of information.
The news ticker has also been repurposed in unique ways, especially on social media sites and streaming platforms. Seeing live streamers make use of text tickers to show appreciation for their fans and supporters adds a personalized appeal to the format that other forms of media often lack.