Impact of Graphics on Broadcast News Design: Analysis of Viewers Attention and Cognitive Load

Television news services recurrently use various graphic elements to convey messages more effectively. This research explores the interaction between the graphic design of television news and the perception of viewers, focusing on visual information processing and cognitive load. Through a case study with a quantitative approach, three daily news programs of a Portuguese generalist TV station were analyzed by students (N = 52) from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, as target audience. This research was developed in two stages, using surveys and eye tracking tests. After defining the graphic identifiers, a descriptive analysis and statistical tests were executed. The results show an interest in graphic elements - Information Boards - in capturing attention during the transmission of news content. They show the existence of a greater cognitive load in the processing of this information when compared to the graphs at the bottom of the screen - Lower thirds. This research provided new evidence on the importance of newsrooms to optimize the layout of graphic elements, as well as the attentional and cognitive involvement of viewers in the consumption of television news content. It also contributes to the current knowledge on the layout of television news by demonstrating how the strategic positioning of graphic identifiers can affect the efficiency of visual communication, suggesting practical adjustments that can improve information retention and the viewer experience.