West Michigan CBS, ABC and NBC affiliates to share news video

July 6, 2009 - The three major network affiliated television stations in the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek market are launching a news sharing arrangement.

The stations involved are Freedom Communications' WWMT-TV 3 (CBS) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, WOOD-TV 8 (NBC) and WZZM-TV 13 (ABC).

Beginning July 13, photographers will cover pre-planned stories, such as news conferences, court appearances, ground breakings, and other scheduled news events. News directors or assignment editors will agree on which events will be covered by the pool. The footage will be shared with all three stations. Each station will decide how to use the video.

This arrangement creates efficiencies that then enable the stations to focus more resources on local enterprise reporting.

"We're excited about this alliance which will further enhance the WWMT news viewer experience. By pooling news resources, our goal is to ensure that every WWMT newscast will include more of the local stories, breaking news and other community-related news our viewers have come to expect." said Jim Lutton, WWMT Newschannel 3 vice president and general manager.

“Viewers benefit because the video pool allows each station to cover more local news across multiple platforms,” said Janet Mason, WZZM 13 president and general manager. “With this arrangement in place, I look forward to our station doing more of the unique enterprise stories and franchise reporting our viewers expect from us.”

“This agreement will allow WOOD TV8 to expand our news and still protect the uniqueness and high quality of content that our viewers have come to expect,” said Diane Kniowski, WOOD 8 president and general manager.

The stations will continue to operate independently in all other areas of their businesses, including their news operations. The stations will not share on-air talent and will independently make decisions on how to gather and report the news.