KPTM outsources newscast to Iowa

Omaha’s local Fox Network affiliate will soon outsource some of its news operation to Davenport, Iowa.

KPTM has entered into an agreement with Independent News Network to assemble and produce its hourlong newscast at 9 each night. The agreement takes effect Sept. 6.

Randy Oswald, KPTM’s general manager, declined to comment on any specific personnel changes in the news division.

In a released statement, KPTM indicated that it would “increase the number of award-winning enterprise reporters who will cover local news.” The release, however, did not specify how many reporters would be employed, in what city they would work and who would employ them.

Oswald said the local newscast’s reporters probably would remain with the station. He was less certain about the station’s anchors.

“That’s to be announced,” he said.

But he also indicated there would be staff reductions.

“Production will take place in Davenport, so there will probably be fewer people here,” he said.

Local news stations have been downsizing and outsourcing their operations for years in response to declining viewership and revenue.

Independent News Network, which was founded a decade ago, now produces 16 newscasts for stations mostly in the Midwest and South.

“Our service allows local stations to save money,” said network President Jeff Lyle.

The system works like this:

Reporters at local stations send unedited video reports to Davenport. Anchors and producers at Independent News Network assemble the raw footage into the final news broadcast, which is then sent back to the local stations.

The network offers packaged programming from its client stations as part of a news service. Local stations also have the option to receive the broadcasts in high definition.

KPTM will begin to broadcast its news in HD.

“The arrangement allows us to deliver high-definition television in a financially manageable fashion,” said Oswald.

KPTM first began broadcasting a half-hour news program in June 1990 and within a year expanded to its present one-hour format. The time slot was intended to attract viewers who were too busy to watch a 5:30 p.m. broadcast.

“The newscast was started to fill a niche,” said Heather Hruby, who worked as an anchor at the station for three years starting in 1990.

From the beginning, Fox 42 News put a greater emphasis on national stories than other local stations. It also presented more packaged news reports.

Hruby said she wasn’t surprised to hear about the Independent News Network deal.

“That seems to be the wave of the future,” she said.

Contact the writer:

444-1076, john.pitcher@owh.com

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