or


[10/31/11 - 07:19 AM]
NBCUniversal Makes Major Investment in NBC Owned TV Stations
10 stations are hiring more than 130 new people, producing more local news, launching new consumer and investigative units in five markets and making other enhancements.

[via press release from NBC]

NBCUNIVERSAL MAKES MAJOR INVESTMENT IN NBC OWNED TV STATIONS

NBC Stations to Add Over 130 New Jobs, Produce Total of 2,200 Additional Hours of Local News

NEW YORK, NY - October 31, 2011 - NBCUniversal today announced a number of enhancements at its 10 owned television stations that are the result of a major investment the company is making to further strengthen the news gathering operations at the stations and ensure they have the resources necessary to effectively compete in their markets. Valari Staab, President of the NBC Owned Television Stations, said the 10 stations are hiring more than 130 new people, producing more local news, launching new consumer and investigative units in five markets and making other enhancements.

"Our stations have a responsibility to deliver critical local news and information to viewers in their respective communities each and every day," said Staab. "By making these strategic investments in our stations, we will ensure we meet our viewers' high expectations."

Staab, who joined NBCUniversal earlier this year after working at local television stations for 30 years, said the company is committed to making sure the stations are well-positioned to serve the needs of their individual communities. The investments, much of which will take place over the next several months, include:

· Hiring more than 130 people across all 10 stations, primarily in the news departments, including reporters, producers and photographers;

· Producing more than 1,200 additional hours of local news a year on the stations' primary broadcast channels, including:

· An hour-long 5 PM newscast on WNBC/4 New York

· A 30-minute noon newscast on KNBC/4 Los Angeles

· A 30-minute noon newscast on WMAQ/5 Chicago

· Two 30-minute newscasts at 4:30 AM and 11:00 AM on WCAU/10 Philadelphia

· A 30-minute newscast at 11 AM on KNTV/11 Bay Area

· A 30-minute newscast at 11 AM on KXAS/5 Dallas-Fort Worth

· Two hours of news on Saturday and Sunday mornings on WTVJ/6 Miami

· A 30-minute noon newscast on KNSD/7 San Diego

The company has now increased local news programming at its owned stations by more than 2,200 hours since the Comcast/NBCUniversal transaction was approved.

· Establishing investigative and/or consumer units in five markets, including WRC/4 Washington, D.C.;

· Adding 15 new vehicles to the current fleet as well as upgrading 14 more vehicles with live news capabilities;

· Purchasing 20 new cameras and other new equipment;

· Building new sets and/or studios at four stations, including WNBC/4 New York;

· Adding or increasing the hours of helicopter coverage in several markets; and

· Restoring the promotions departments at all 10 stations.

"We want our stations to enterprise stories and truly produce differentiated, high quality local news content; and we want them to make it available to our audiences in as many ways as possible - on TV, online and on the go," said Staab. "With these investments, our stations will be even better equipped to serve their markets."

For an interview with Valari Staab discussing the investment in the NBC Owned Stations, please visit NBCU Direct at http://www.nbcudirect.com/nbcownedstations103111/.





  [october 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[08/26/26 - 10:45 AM]
"Survivor" Reveals the 21 New Castaways Competing on the 51st Edition - The First in the Series' New "Open Era" - With a Two-Hour Season Premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 23
The groundbreaking reality series, which shifts to 90-minute weekly episodes beginning Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00 PM, returns with an all-new expanded class of dynamic and determined competitors.

[08/26/26 - 10:18 AM]
BET Brings Chris "CP" Powell's Acclaimed Comedy Special "Sunday After Six" to Screens September 1
Host of the revived "ComicView: Rooftop Series," Chris "CP" Powell brings his 90-minute stand-up special to the screen, centered on relatable life experiences and everyday scenarios as a Black man.

[08/26/26 - 10:05 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Blockbuster 72-Game NHL on TNT Schedule for 2026-27 NHL Regular Season, Starting Wednesday, Sept. 30
The season will culminate with TNT Sports' presentation of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the 2027 Stanley Cup Final exclusively on TNT Sports platforms.

[08/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
ESPN Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games for 2026-27 Season
Of the 100 exclusive games, 53 matchups will be available on ESPN and ABC, while the remaining 47 matchups can be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu.

[08/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This September
Highlights include Sharon Horgan's comedy "Youth" on September 20 and "4 Blocks" prequel series "4 Blocks Zero" on September 25.

[08/26/26 - 09:48 AM]
"Dolly: An NBC News Special" to Air Tonight at 9 P.M. ET
Anchored by Lester Holt, "Dolly: An NBC News Special" will look back at Parton's remarkable journey to stardom, her groundbreaking career and her lasting impact far beyond music.

[08/26/26 - 09:14 AM]
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Hosted by Kirk Franklin, Airs Sunday, August 30, on BET
Taped in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center under this year's theme, "Feels Like Home," the ceremony brings together gospel's most celebrated artists, trailblazers, and rising stars for a night of worship, inspiration, and world-class performances.

[08/26/26 - 09:05 AM]
ESPN Premieres "Shooting Stars" and "13.4 Seconds to Nowhere" Aug. 27
The films were developed through a collaboration between ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Tribeca Studios to bring to life compelling stories at the intersection of sports and the Latino community.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Date, Key Art & Trailer Debut - Hulu's "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives" Season Five
Season five premieres with all five episodes on Thursday, September 10 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Jay-Z in 8," An HBO Original Documentary Series, Debuts September 18
In Rick Rubin's directorial documentary debut, the series unfolds over many hours of candid conversation between two creative superstars.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: BritBox Debuts Official Trailer and Key Art for "Agatha Christie's Tommy & Tuppence," Premiering September 15th
In the first contemporary English language television adaptation of Agatha Christie's stories, Tommy and Tuppence are a detective duo for the ages.

[08/26/26 - 08:46 AM]
Disney+ Greenlights New Romantic Comedy from Element Pictures and Sinestra
"Mad Love" (w/t) follows Maddy Caruso, a British wedding planner, for an eclectic list of clients in the stunning Italian countryside.

[08/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Wonka's The Golden Ticket" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this one-of-a-kind reality competition, lucky players step inside Wonka's chocolate factory to face unpredictable games, tests and temptations.

[08/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Unsuspecting Homeowners Get the Ultimate Renovation Surprise in New HGTV Series "House Shock" Premiering Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 9 pm ET/PT
Arielle Vandenberg will team up with expert contractor Steve Lewis to help pull off surprise overhauls of spaces the recipients have dreamed of updating, whether neglected, abandoned or just plain despised.

[08/26/26 - 08:00 AM]
Fever-Sky on "Sunday Night Basketball" on NBC and Peacock Is the Most-Watched WNBA Regular-Season Game Since Opening Weekend of League's Inaugural 1997 Season
The game peaked at 3.82 million viewers.