<P> The 24 - hour news cycle (or 24 / 7 news cycle) is 24 - hour investigation and reporting of news, concomitant with fast - paced lifestyles . The vast news resources available in recent decades have increased competition for audience and advertiser attention, prompting media providers to deliver the latest news in the most compelling manner in order to remain ahead of competitors . Television -, radio -, print -, online - and mobile app news media all have many suppliers that want to be relevant to their audiences and deliver news first . </P> <P> Although all - news radio operated for decades earlier, the 24 - hour news cycle arrived with the advent of cable television channels dedicated to news and brought about a much faster pace of news production with an increased demand for stories that could be presented as continual news with constant updating . This was a contrast with the day - by - day pace of the news cycle of printed daily newspapers . A high premium on faster reporting would see a further increase with the advent of online news . </P>

When did the 24 hour news cycle begin