Local news has been one of the fastest-growing areas in TV recently. Now though, it seems that Sinclair, one of the largest owners of broadcast TV, is cutting back on how many stations offer local news.
This week Sinclair announced that several of its smaller TV station’s local news efforts, including NBC 24 in Toledo and CBS 10 KTVL in southern Oregon and Northern California.
Update you can now add NBC 15 WPMI from Mobil, Alabama, and Pensacola, Flordia to this list of stations no longer offering local news.
Now Sinclair will replace local news broadcasts with a national show. This new program called The National Desk will feature national and regional news but no longer local news.
Both of these stations have struggled in rating recently, and now it seems that Sinclair has decided the cost of the local news effort was not worth it.
NBC 24 posted this statement on its website:
NBC 24 is changing the way we produce news in Toledo to ensure our long-term success.
Beginning May 15, The National Desk, which provides real-time national and regional news from Sinclair’s television stations across the U.S., will air during our regularly scheduled news time periods.
TND, which offers an alternative choice for news and provides an opportunity for local news cut-ins, has grown exponentially over the last year, reaching nearly 3 million viewers per week across all dayparts.
Sadly this means both stations will see news staff laid off as part of the shutdown of their news operations.
For now, if you live in one of these markets, you will need to turn to one of the other TV stations in the area to find local news.
I think this is ridiculous! Especially at a time when we need as much news as possible to make day to day decisions. This world is changing so fast that we need to stay informed in advance so that we make proper decisions. God please help us all.
Sinclair just shot themselves in the foot. There’s no reason to tune in anymore. Tired old game shows, no local news, what’s the point. Who came up with this brilliant idea.
We are now watching another channel for news and consequently other programs. No more Sinclair for us. We like local news.
This really sucks! I miss Darwin Singleton in the morning. I’ve been watching CBS local morning show. I really hate not being able to keep my Television on one Station in morning.
You guys have lost your minds. There is plenty of talent you are losing. I watch NBC 15 WPMI in Mobile Alabama because I don’t care for the other stations. They report what is interesting to me.
I watched the early news 5am 7am then their news at noon. No use in watching any of their programs any more. No a very wise idea!
Sad day for us in Mobile, Al. Guess us “southerners “ don’t matter. We should have known something was up when Greg Petterson was no longer on the air. Another lost viewer.
First we lose our local newspaper and now a local news station. Seems like the media wants to keep us ignorant.
Sad situation for our local news. I also feel bad for our local broadcasters who are professionals in every sense. As they go, so do I. Goodbye Channel 15. I had high praise for you in the past, but it is now the past. I will forever love the news teams, they are great.
Sinclair is not known for its unbiased reporting, so good riddance. Hopefully, a more unbiased source will report the news.