How does writing in inverted pyramid style differ between print and broadcast?

It can be agreed upon that when we read, watch or listen to the news, we want to know what is going on now; we are not concerned with information that happened previously only what is going on at that particular moment in time.  This being said, journalists like to use what is known as an inverted pyramid style of writing to get their stories across to the public.

The inverted pyramid is a format used to get the most important, and current information across right away at the beginning of the story as a way to get the audience interested.  The most important information is then followed by lesser details that may include background on what is being reported.

The style is used in both print and broadcast formats.  The biggest difference however is that print stories often include extra information that would be pointless to include in a broadcast story.  Radio broadcast stories are usually around 30 seconds while television broadcast stories range from 30 seconds to a minute long.  Print journalists have the luxury of not being under time restraints therefore they are able to go into more detail as the story progresses.

Unless there is follow-up information that pertains to the most recent developments, broadcast stories stick to the most recent information.  Regardless, that information will always come at the top of the report.  To avoid surpassing the time restraints of a broadcast, anchors will often direct viewers to the stations website for additional information.  All the viewer cares about when viewing the actual news is what is most important so that after they hear what they need to hear they can move on.