How the networks covered Amazon’s ‘HQ2’ announcement

While the story did not lead any network newscast, all three newscasts, including ‘NBC Nightly News,’ offered a full package on the decision. Given that the story isn’t exactly a ‘picture rich’ one it’s no surprise that, in addition to generic Amazon B-roll, graphics played a big roll in the coverage, like this map NBC prepared showing just some of the cities that vied for HQ2. Anchor Lester Holt introduced the story with the title ‘Amazon’s Big Announcement.’

NBC also displayed key numbers and data points in Amazon’s trademark orange — with green accents for dollar signs.

‘CBS Evening News‘ went with a pun on ‘prime’ — a reference to Amazon’s membership program that offers free shipping, streaming media and other perks, with the video wall behind Jeff Glor reading ‘Prime Real Estate.’ The network stuck with its Ridley Grotesk typeface but opted to set it in italics, just like Amazon has done with previous versions of its ‘Prime’ branding — while also referencing Amazon’s orange with gold and yellow type.

The network also used a ‘Split Decision’ banner during its package, which used graphics with a diagonal line ‘split’ motif to showcase key data.

Glor was then joined by CBS business contributor Nicholas Thompson in studio for a brief interview. 

Thompson, who sat at the main anchor desk, had two Amazon logos appear on the various video panels behind him — including an image with the ‘split’ design reference.

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‘ABC World News Tonight‘ also went with the ‘Split Decision’ title — displayed on the video wall behind anchor David Muir.