This work eventually fed into the creation of Twitter, which lets not just vehicle fleets but regular people broadcast instant status updates with no need for specialized equipment, and not just across a city grid but across the globe.
Many reporters supplement their income with side projects like book deals, speaking engagements and regular columns (for those in broadcast) or regular TV appearances (for those in print).
This year, the NFL Network expanded its regular-season schedule and will broadcast 13 games, starting with the Chicago Bears visiting the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13.
Up until last year Patane and his fellow cast members were anomalies: "regular" folk who became famous, however modestly, for having their lives broadcast on television.