Adding Two Newscasts in Richmond

Gray’s WWBT is adding two new newscasts starting next week.

The station is adding a 3PM and a 7PM newscast. With these additional shows, WWBT will be producing more than 67 hours of local content each week.

In its release touting the new newscasts, the station did not say how many additional people they would be hiring to help fill the extra news time.

Let’s go to the spin.

“The most important thing a television station can do is serve its community. The best way WWBT/12 On Your Side can do that is with more local news about things that matter to our diverse communities,” said Regional Vice President/General Manager Kym Grinnage.

“Providing quality local content is a priority for WWBT and Gray Television” said Frank Jones, WWBT News Director. “We need to serve our audience at times that are convenient for them and on all platforms.”

If we’re really being honest, the quote should have been, “With a big election year starting, we are making more commercial spots available to politicians who are looking to buy spots in our newscasts.”

Sadly, we didn’t get such honesty.