Dan Harris, a former TV journalist who left prominent perches at both ABC News’ “Nightline” and the weekend editions of “Good Morning America,” is getting back into the TV-news business. Harris figures prominently in the new subscriber-only “Membership” service launched last week by MS NOW. This time, however, he isn’t delivering headlines.
He’s teaching people how to measure — even limit — their exposure to them. Harris, better known these days as the central figure in “10% Happier,” a podcast, newsletter and app focused on meditation and mindfulness, will lead two shows on the MS NOW service, and both of them aim to help people navigate the always-on news cycle while still focusing on stress and mental well-being. One program, “Never Worry Alone with Dan Harris,” lets various MS NOW members ask live questions about such topics.
In an industry that is still dominated by TV ratings, such stuff might not have much of a chance. A TV-news show that asks people to think about the effects of TV-news on one’s mental health? On a bespoke subscription service, however, the thinking is that such exploration may be helpful to members — and give them something else to chew on once they’ve digested MS NOW’s most recent stories.
MS NOW even plans to limit the number of stories it puts on its app at any given time, so as not to overwhelm subscribers with an infinite scroll of heavy developments. How can I, you know, just sit down for a minute? Refresh, restart.” The idea has been brewing for some time.
Harris had a deal with CNN not too long ago to contribute to CNN+, an ambitious streaming outlet that was scuttled within just weeks of launch. Had the property lasted longer, Harris would have been one of the personalities contributing to it. Rebecca Kutler, president of MS NOW, helped oversee CNN+, but Harris says he’s not certain there’s a connection to his new role.
Executives at MS NOW, in research sessions with news consumers, asked them what makes staying engaged with the news more difficult, and what could be done better. People indicated they were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of news, and in some cases felt isolated. They also said the news made them feel anxious.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
