8.1
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Comedy, Romance • 1987 • 133 min • Adults (18+)
Broadcast News (1987)
Broadcast News (1987)
Overview
Broadcast News is a 1987 romantic comedy set inside a Washington TV newsroom, following a driven producer caught between two very different men: a brilliant reporter who sweats on camera and a handsome anchor who barely needs to think. Director James L. Brooks uses that triangle to ask whether charm has replaced substance in American journalism. The film lands Mixed because its signals pull in opposite directions. It critiques media commercialization and celebrates career-first women, both progressive reads. At the same time, it features no diversity or identity politics and centers its drama on professional ethics rather than social causes. The result is a film that frustrates ideologues on both sides, which in 1987 probably felt like honesty.
Starring Cast
William Hurt • Albert Brooks • Holly Hunter
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
Family Values: Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
8.1
Overview
Broadcast News is a 1987 romantic comedy set inside a Washington TV newsroom, following a driven producer caught between two very different men: a brilliant reporter who sweats on camera and a handsome anchor who barely needs to think. Director James L. Brooks uses that triangle to ask whether charm has replaced substance in American journalism. The film lands Mixed because its signals pull in opposite directions. It critiques media commercialization and celebrates career-first women, both progressive reads. At the same time, it features no diversity or identity politics and centers its drama on professional ethics rather than social causes. The result is a film that frustrates ideologues on both sides, which in 1987 probably felt like honesty.
Starring Cast
William Hurt • Albert Brooks • Holly Hunter
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
Political: Leans Left
Confidence: High
The film's dominant themes align with progressive values by critiquing the commercialization and superficiality of television news, lamenting the erosion of journalistic integrity due to corporate pressures and the prioritization of entertainment over substance.
Diversity: Low
Confidence: High
The movie features a predominantly white main and supporting cast, consistent with traditional casting practices of its release era. Its narrative primarily explores themes of journalistic integrity and personal relationships, without explicitly critiquing traditional identities or centering on diversity, equity, and inclusion themes.
Secondary
Family Values: Leans Progressive
Confidence: High
The film primarily focuses on the professional and romantic lives of independent, career-driven adults, with traditional family structures and values being largely absent or peripheral to the narrative. It emphasizes chosen family and individual fulfillment over traditional marriage and parenting ideals.
LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High
Broadcast News does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The story centers on the professional and romantic lives of its three main heterosexual protagonists within the competitive world of broadcast journalism. The film's narrative scope does not include any exploration or depiction of queer identities or experiences.
Trans: N/A
Confidence: High
Broadcast News does not feature any identifiable transgender characters or themes. The film's plot centers on the professional and personal lives of three television news professionals, exploring themes of journalistic integrity, ambition, and romantic relationships within that context. There are no elements in the story that depict or relate to transsexual identity.
Female Combat: N/R
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High
Broadcast News is an original film with characters created specifically for its narrative. There are no pre-existing source materials, historical figures, or prior adaptations from which character genders could have been altered.
Race Swap: No
Confidence: High
Broadcast News is an original film with characters created specifically for its screenplay. There is no prior source material, historical record, or established canon from which any character's race could have been altered for this production.
Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High
Not depicted in the film.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.3
6.8
Critic Ratings
9.8
8.4
More Like This
Analyze
7.6
As Good as It Gets
(1997)
Traditional
8.3
Manhattan
(1979)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Negative
Leans Progressive
7.3
Boy Meets Girl
(2014)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Traditional
7.4
Garden State
(2004)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Traditional
7.9
When Harry Met Sally...
(1989)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
6.9
Am I OK?
(2024)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Not Rated
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.9
The Drama
(2026)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
6.9
Everything & the Universe
(2025)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
8.9
Some Like It Hot
(1959)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Center
7.7
Broken Flowers
(2005)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Traditional
7.5
Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game
(2023)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
7.6
Halfway to Amarillo
(2025)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Traditional
8.0
Love on Tap
(2026)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
7.2
The Incredible Jessica James
(2017)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Traditional
8.2
Forrest Gump
(1994)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Low
Not Rated
8.1
SNEAKING AROUND
(2024)
Political: Not Rated
Diversity: Not Rated
Leans Traditional
7.6
Shithouse
(2020)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
7.7
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
(2026)
Political: Not Rated
Diversity: Not Rated
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Traditional
8.0
Groundhog Day
(1993)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Traditional
7.3
There's Something About Mary
(1998)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Negative