Last year, local television stations were criticized for not devoting more broadcast time to the Station fire. But it turns out that they are scheduling more time for local news now than perhaps ever.
Mark Lacter explores the local TV scene in the new issue of Los Angeles magazine, reporting on the ever-expanding number of newscasts. It’s all about economics: News is cheaper to produce than purchasing the most popular syndicated fare.
Reports Lacter: "L.A. is being bombarded with news — it’s on virtually nonstop, starting
each morning at 4 a.m. (KNBC, Channel 4) and running throughout the day
and late into the night. The stretch from 5 to 7 a.m. is especially
intense: Besides KCBS and KNBC, there is news on KTLA (Channel 5), KABC
(Channel 7), and KTTV (Channel 11). All told, 32 hours of local
news every day, and that doesn’t count non-English stations or the
morning gabfests on channels 5 and 11. Expect additional slots to be
filled in the coming months."
He also says ratings for news are on the decline. Read more here.
— Shelby Grad
Photo: KTLA Morning News