About Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science TV
What is DBIS?
- Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science (DBIS) is a syndicated science and engineering news service for local television newscasts.
- Twelve 90-second segments are produced per month
- Each segment is reviewed for scientific accuracy
- DBIS features a broad range of topics in engineering, science, technology and mathematics.
Why does DBIS work?
- Local TV news is the primary source of information for a majority of the US public (60% US public according to a Pew 2004 study)
- 44% of the US public cites TV news as their primary source of science and technology news (NSF 2004 Indicators)
- Local TV news audience is less likely to have alternative sources of science news
- DBIS reports on science, technology, engineering and math news – demonstrating the role of science and engineering in society, and in our daily lives
Who produces DBIS?
- The American Institute of Physics in partnership with a coalition of scientific and engineering societies
- The National Science Foundation
- Ivanhoe Broadcast Network, Inc.
Where and when do DBIS segments play?
- Local TV news programs all over the US subscribe to the newsfeed.
- Segments play on local TV news shows.
NSF supports DBIS
- Two segments each month are delivered in Spanish to 37 Spanish-language stations.
- DBIS’s web component furnishes more information on the science and engineering behind the story.
- A comprehensive evaluation plan analyzes the program's effectiveness.