World news is news about events that occur outside the immediate boundaries of a country. It is often gathered by news agencies, which prepare hard and soft news stories that are sold to a variety of organizations (such as news outlets, governments, intelligence services and corporations). News from the field is also supplied by local correspondents, usually journalists based in a foreign city who file stories directly to the editor at the news agency’s home office. The reporters may also gather material from local sources such as government officials, members of the community and the local media.
Unlike most television news programs, which are primarily focused on hard news and current events, many world news shows contain a mix of serious and offbeat items. These include the “World News Polka” (usually played on an accordion by comedian Barry Mitchell) and a segment where the anchors attempt to count how many double-decker buses pass a street corner in London each weekday morning.
When a full-time anchor leaves the program, a ceremony of sorts is held; in the past, cardboard cutouts were placed in the rafters of the studio to form an “Anchor Hall of Fame”; today, the anchor’s name is scrolled on screen and a graphics sequence follows showing them leaving their position on the set.
A variety of recurring segments are featured on the show including Morning Papers, which presents offbeat or funny stories found in newspapers around the world, and World News Now Vault which provides an archived look at how ABC News has covered a particular event. The program also contains a number of repurposed segments and story packages from other ABC News programs.