2 St. Louis TV stations combine news

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Two St. Louis television stations plan to combine their newsrooms and share news services.

The agreement between the Fox affiliate, KTVI-TV, and KPLR-TV, which is part of the CW network, was announced Tuesday by the parent companies. Local TV Holdings LLC owns KTVI; Tribune Co. owns KPLR.

Under the agreement, KTVI will move to KPLR's offices. The combined newsroom will produce staggered news for nine hours a day.

KTVI General Manager Spencer Koch says viewers want local news programs throughout the day, not just morning, early evening and at night.

The parent companies also announced a local marketing agreement for their TV stations in Denver, Fox affiliate KDVR and CW affiliate KWGN. Both stations will operate out of the KDVR studios.