Frank Magid Dies

TV programming consultant pioneered the “happy talk” format of modern local news

Frank N. Magid, 78, the television "news doctor" whose survey research and advice to local television stations in the 1970s resulted in co-anchors who chatted between stories, fast-paced graphics, sports tickers and live shots, and a heavy reliance on both crime coverage and feel-good segments, died of lymphoma Feb. 5 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The Washington Post has the full story:

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