Local news finds itself more wanted than ever -- but in new ways

A funny thing happened on the way to writing the obituary for the battered institution that is local TV news. While the number of people sitting in front of the tube at 10 p.m. has declined consistently the past decade and the form itself seems an antiquated aspect of the popular culture, the audience for local TV news stations' output has expanded.

More people are seeing content from local TV outlets than ever, most of it in short bursts and much of it away from the television screen. Whether by phone, social media, e-mail alerts or, occasionally, on the TV screen, the public is expressing interest in news of a specifically local nature. And stations are responding with more output.