How the News Ticker Took Over TV… and Our Attention

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 the ticker first showed up? ❤️ Don't forget to like, comment, and

You can listen to How the News Ticker Took Over TV… and Our Attention online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

How the News Ticker Took Over TV… and Our Attention is an episode from A Podcast for Creatives by Michelle Hickey and Steve King.

This episode is 33:21 long.

This episode was published on Apr 16, 2026.

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