How the News Ticker Took Over TV… and Our Attention
Release Date: 04/16/2026
How the News Ticker Took Over TV… and Our Attention
A Podcast for Creatives
Before the early 2000s, the bottom of your TV screen was… quiet. Then, almost overnight, it wasn’t. In this episode of Play Me a Memory, we’re diving into the rise of the news ticker: how it went from a niche feature on sports and financial channels to a permanent part of how we watch TV. From the aftermath of 9/11 to the explosion of 24/7 news, we’re tracing when the screen started to feel cluttered, and whether it ever went back. Along the way, a bigger question emerges: Did the news ticker change how millennials pay attention? 👇 Tell us in the comments: Do you remember when...
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info_outlineBefore the early 2000s, the bottom of your TV screen was… quiet. Then, almost overnight, it wasn’t.
In this episode of Play Me a Memory, we’re diving into the rise of the news ticker: how it went from a niche feature on sports and financial channels to a permanent part of how we watch TV. From the aftermath of 9/11 to the explosion of 24/7 news, we’re tracing when the screen started to feel cluttered, and whether it ever went back.
Along the way, a bigger question emerges: Did the news ticker change how millennials pay attention?
👇 Tell us in the comments:
Do you remember when the ticker first showed up?
❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you love rabbit holes, retro vibes, and oddly specific cultural deep dives.
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