Is More News Good News at 12?

Typically, producing a local news show is much easier and less expensive than buying a syndicated program like “Oprah.” Plus, it appears that the popularity of talk shows has begun to wane. Industry sources say viewers can expect softer news, health-related segments and more human interest stories on the 4 p.m. newscast.

And what about Oprah’s quasi-protégé Dr. Phil McGraw? Where will his new show go? It doesn’t seem like there’s room at 12.

Last week, WWBT News Director Nancy Kent insisted it was too early to talk about the station’s fall programming schedule. “Everything is a possibility,” Kent said, adding there was still “quite a bit of time” to fit things in place.

Kent will only say that the station has made no decisions. Still, she points out: “We’ve talked about expanding news for a long time.” — Brandon Walters

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