Answer:
The content of today's news programming is usually more serious than in previous eras.
Step-by-step explanation:
TV news programming before the 20th century was non existent. Medium of information dissemination was done mostly through cable or radio and these medium were slow and unreliable. Then in the 20th century, there was the availability of television sets which soon overtook the radio as the most used media for news or information dissemination. Satellite was also used as it connected people to news from other parts of the world.
The use of television, satellite, Internet and social media to disseminate information became more popular ad widely used in the 21st century. Back in the 20th century, news was made almost as an afterthought; much importance wasn't placed on news.
Now in the 21st century, news is now serious business. More news outlets jostle to get the "inside scoop" on news so they can get an exclusive or be the first to break a news. News can be broadcast live and then be rebroadcast later, which wasn't done in the 20th century.
Now there are ethics guiding news dissemination, wider coverage, more air time, etc.