New York Times' 36 Hours Series Adds Video to Bring Itineraries to Life
Skift Take
Like most travel media, the Times is building on its brand reputation to show readers authoritative, visual reporting of destinations still matters, in a time when any traveler who posts trip photos to Facebook or Instagram can sometimes help illustrate destinations just as vividly.
The New York Times' "36 Hours" series, a staple of the travel section's content for over a decade, is finding success with a companion video series to the regular feature.
Unlike the text versions, the videos, which launched in August, don't outline a rigid schedule to follow, as they're focused on introducing the characters in the text and telling their stories. Locals narrate and carry the storyline rather than a reporter, a decision that sets the Times apart from many other travel publications, including its own travel section.
“As a viewer, you definitely feel like you’re traveling and being taken to a place by a tour guide with the locals telling the story," said Monica Drake, the New York Times Travel editor.
"I don't think readers want the exact same thing as the text. This allows greater flexibility visually, and if you’re trying to keep to a rigid schedule with the video there are limitations in that format. Video is a much more linear experience where its harder to jump around a lot. The videos are a little more inspiratio
