WNBC/4 and NBCU made this dramatic announcement just a short while ago: The station plans to launch a 24-hour news channel a la News 12 (or NY 1). They'll break ground on the new "content center" this summer, and the channel will launch in the fall.
Meanwhile, here's an interesting quote from the press release:
"Additionally, the company announced plans for the creation of a new, state-of-the-art Manhattan facility that will consolidate rooftops across the city. While details are still being finalized, NBC will remain 30 Rock’s largest tenant and the home of NBC News, NBC Sports, NBC Entertainment ('Saturday Night Live' and 'Late Night with Conan O’Brien'), and WNBC. All other business operations will move to the new facility as will employees currently at three additional Manhattan sites. The move is expected to take place in 2009."
No word on where this "new facility" will be located, but one assumes Ch. 4 employees were happy to see the word "Secaucus" no where in this press release.
I have one major question: Will Chuck and Sue play a role?
Comments (1)
The big story that virtually ALL the major media missed is that the WNBC all news channel will be available free of charge, over the air, on channel 4.4 DTV (digital television). It is NOT "cable exclusive," despite somewhat vague wording of WNBC's press release (which virtually all the the TV writers dutifully passed along without pointing out that this channel is potential competition for cable, which is, after all, pay television.
Vern, you should consider doing a follow-up. The bottom line: Broadcasters are looking to compete head-on with cable as the economy worsens and more viewers opt to cut back on their cable menu (or do away with cable altogether). A sizable percentage of older viewers signed up for cable "for the reception." Add a free over the air news channel and you give these "soft" subscribers one more reason to "churn" off cable. Look for TV antennas to once again sprout up as broadcasters give viewers a reason to obtain for free what they'd have to pay for on cable.
That's a good reason for the cable companies to offer a very low cost basic tier that includes serveral news channels.