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)





[11/18/25 - 01:00 PM]
Video: "Family Guy" Hulu Exclusive Holiday Special Trailer and Key Art Debut
The Hulu exclusive special premieres Friday, November 28 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

[11/18/25 - 01:00 PM]
"Bridezillas" Returns with a Fresh "I Do!" Premiering Today, Exclusively on AMC Networks' New Streamer All Reality
Tamar Braxton, known for her long-standing presence in reality television, brings new life, humor and her signature flair to the return of the pop culture phenom, which debuts with two episodes today, and new episodes dropping every Friday, beginning November 28.

[11/18/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 10 - "The Beast in Me" Plays Mind Games at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Those wishing to escape into fantasy opted for "The Witcher" Season 4, placing the series at No. 2 on the list with 3.6 million views in its third week in the Top 10.

[11/18/25 - 12:01 PM]
Disney, ESPN and the NBA Team Up to Present Second "Dunk the Halls" - The Real-Time, Animated NBA Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks on Christmas Day - Live from Main Street, U.S.A.
The innovative alternate presentation will be available on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the new ESPN App via ESPN DTC or pay TV authentication.

[11/18/25 - 11:01 AM]
"Twisted Metal" Season Three Is Coming to Peacock
The streaming service confirmed the news on social media this morning.

[11/18/25 - 10:09 AM]
Tubi Serves Up the First Look at "Mo' Waffles," a Wild New Comedy from TikTok Duo A Twink and a Redhead and Robin Jordan, Premiering December 19th
When a hip hop legend vanishes before his waffle joint's opening, his oddball crew must crack the case, wondering if one of them could be the culprit.

[11/18/25 - 10:02 AM]
Video: Official Trailer & Key Art - "Dance Moms: A New Era" Season 2
The A+E Factual Studios series returns with all episodes on Monday, December 8 only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.

[11/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
TNT Sports Announces Commentators for GEICO Players Era Men's & Women's Championships
Coverage of the GEICO Players Era Men's Championship on both Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25 will begin on TNT at 12:30 p.m. ET.

[11/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
BET+ Original Film, "Son of the Preacher," Premieres Thursday, November 27
The film stars Gabrielle Graham, Chris LeBlanc, Darren Herbert, Rachel Crawford, Ronnie Rowe, Tkaia Green, and Karen Burthwright.

[11/18/25 - 09:30 AM]
Prime Video Sets the Heist in Motion: First Look and Premiere Date for "Steal" Unveiled
All six episodes will be available on January 21, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[11/18/25 - 09:01 AM]
NBC to Air 78th Emmy Awards Live on Monday, Sept. 14 from the Peacock Theater
The date of Emmy Award nominations will be announced in the coming months.

[11/18/25 - 09:00 AM]
Reunion Announcement: Hulu's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" Season 3 Reunion Special
The special premieres December 4 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

[11/18/25 - 09:00 AM]
The 28th Annual "Family Film and TV Awards," Hosted by Julie Chen Moonves, to Air Dec. 13 on CBS and Paramount+
Legendary magic and comedy duo Penn & Teller will receive the Outstanding Family Entertainers Award, celebrating 50 years of captivating audiences, and the night will feature special performances by country music superstar Blake Shelton.

[11/18/25 - 08:16 AM]
Ira Levin's Novel "The Boys from Brazil" Is Coming to Netflix
Adapted by Peter Morgan and directed by Alex Gabassi, this five-part historical thriller stars Jeremy Strong, August Diehl, Daniel Brühl and Gillian Anderson.

[11/18/25 - 08:02 AM]
First Look Images and Premiere Date for New Game Show "What's in the Box?" Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris
Giant boxes conceal jaw-dropping prizes, wild surprises and unexpected reveals in "What's in the Box?," a high-stakes arching game show that tests smarts, strategy and stamina.