To produce a morning newscast in 2015 - think two thoughts that are NEW to this moment in time.

• The first screen the majority of viewers wake up to is their smartphone.
• Viewers believe UPDATES ON ALL STORIES is of equal importance to Breaking News (a discovery first noted recently by SG research VP, Tony Calfo).

These two thoughts are connected: The more viewers get information from digital sources, the more it makes them expect even more updating from TV news - throughout the entire broadcast. It’s true in all day parts but particularly acute in the morning as a result of the smartphone being the first screen.

The findings have led to coin the phrase, SUSTAINED URGENCY, and it carries with it clear implications:

Here's your early-spring helping of Hot Clips from our team at SmithGeiger. This month, we offer you 5 examples from newsrooms around the country...

Air & Ground Attack (WCPO Cincinnati): using a chopper and mobile phone side-by-side to cover a carjacking, first on the scene from both angles

Humanized Live Desk (KNSD San Diego): adding emotion to a Live Desk toss and hit, adding a human touch to a typically urgency-based segment

Urgent 6:30am Open (WPTV West Palm Beach): blending urgency and impactful language to kick-off a 6:30a segment loaded with energy