3 Markets Adding Newscasts

With all the political dollars available to TV stations and especially TV newscasts, stations across the country are tripping over themselves to add newscasts, so they can bring in more campaign bucks.

3 stations in 3 different markets have all announced that they are adding or expanding newscasts.

In Cleveland, the WOIO News team will launch a 9 p.m. newscast Monday, Sept. 21, on sister station WUAB. Anchors for Cleveland's first 9 p.m. newscast will be David Wittman and Tiffani Tucker.

"We're pioneering a new time period for local news," WOIO news director, Fred D'Ambrosi, said during a telephone interview. "We absolutely think there is an audience for a newscast in the heart of prime time. It's another choice for people looking for all of the information they need, one hour earlier."

Over in Rochester, NY, WHEC plans to launch next week a newscast at 7 p.m. Jennifer Mobilia will anchor the show, titled “News10NBC at 7,” which includes weather forecasts from Kevin Williams, chief meteorologist. 

The newscast, which begins Sept. 21, aims to get viewers caught up with the day’s news, officials said.

“We are excited about this announcement,” said Derek Dalton, vice president and general manager of News10NBC, in a statement. “We know viewers turn to us throughout the day for our investigative style of news and features like ‘New York State Exposed’. Now, viewers will be able to get our brand of news at 7 p.m. but with even more engagement and deeper dives into the important stories of the day.”

And in South Bend, WSBT has announced the expansion of its local news product. On Sunday, September 20, WSBT-TV is debuting First in the Morning-Sunday.

This is the first time WSBT has had a Sunday morning local newscast in the station’s 63 year history. WSBT’s Kristin Bien and Meteorologist Ed Russo will anchor the newscast. 

“Our award-winning staff is very proud and excited to offer the No. 1 rated morning newscast seven days a week”, said WSBT News Director John Haferkamp.  “Viewers can expect to see WSBT’s commitment to breaking news coverage and the latest in weather information.” 

Tune back in on 2017 when the political ad dollars dry up and stations will be dropping newscasts like flies.