Channel 13 returns for DirecTV, U-verse subscribers
Local subscribers to the services lost access to the channel’s programming in early September as the parties negotiated on a contract.
TV Stations
Articles
Owner of Indy-area newspapers merging with broadcast firm
A media group that owns more than a dozen newspapers in Indiana—including publications in Zionsville, Avon, Lebanon and Anderson—has announced it is merging with a company with dozens of TV and radio stations.
General manager ousted at WRTV amid low news ratings
A Scripps official flew in Monday to inform the WRTV staff of Larry Blackerby’s firing and his interim replacement.
Grady leaving WRTV, Pacers for Nets job in New York
Michael Grady, a sports reporter at WRTV-TV Channel 6 and public address announcer for the Indiana Pacers, has taken a position as sideline reporter for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
Longtime Indianapolis TV news anchor Caldwell dies at 92
Howard Caldwell, a fixture on Indianapolis television news for more than 35 years, died Monday.
WTHR weekend anchor Pescovitz leaving for Minneapolis station
Naomi Pescovitz, a North Central High School graduate, will help to launch a 7 p.m. newscast at KMSP-Fox 9, which she said will “give me my weekends back and I’ll be able to turn off that 1:30 a.m. alarm clock.”
Fox in talks with Ion Media amid tensions with Sinclair, source says
21st Century Fox is in talks to operate local TV stations across the nation with Ion Media Networks, potentially paving the way for Fox to dump Sinclair Broadcast Group as an affiliate partner, a person familiar with the situation said. Sinclair is acquiring two local stations from Tribune Media.
Big Ten announces new TV deals with FOX, ESPN, CBS
The Big Ten Network will triple its prime-time national TV exposure during football season and also add more prime-time basketball games, thanks to new broadcasting deals.
WRTV changes afternoon lineup, pulls 4 p.m. newscast
Officials for Channel 6 said the station is canceling “The Now” to make room for a new show produced by its parent company, Scripps, in partnership with singer Faith Hill.
WISH-TV adding more local programming to morning schedule
Starting Sept. 11, WISH-TV Channel 8 plans to air nothing but local programming from 4 a.m. to noon. But the “Rachael Ray Show” will replace its noon newscast.
Two local TV stations changing owners as part of $3.9B media deal
Telecommunications company Sinclair Broadcast Group is buying rival Tribune Media Co. in a deal between the nation’s two largest TV station owners. Tribune Media owns two Indianapolis TV stations.
WTHR first Indiana station to win two Peabody Awards in one year
The executive director of the prestigious national broadcasting awards calls WTHR’s feat “highly, highly unusual.” The local station’s competition included reporting from CNN, HBO and CBS.
WRTV Channel 6 loses afternoon, evening anchors
One on-air personality has departed for a TV news job in a larger market while the other has taken a job as a consultant for Indiana University Health.
Local TV news stations abandon or reduce use of pricey choppers
The costly use of helicopters to cover weather-related stories, traffic accidents and snarls, and sporting events is on the decline nationwide.
Three local TV stations net $55 million in FCC spectrum auction—but will stay on air
Some stations are likely to change channel numbers, but broadcasters promise viewers will see little service disruption despite spectrum moves.
Groundbreaking news anchor, public affairs director out at WISH-TV
In 1993, Tina Cosby became the first black weekday evening television news anchor in Indianapolis. She worked at Channel 8 for more than 30 years but was let go earlier this month by the station’s new owner.
Morning anchor departs WTTV to spend time with young sons
After stints with three local stations and a recent maternity leave, Nicole Pence made her retirement from TV news official on Wednesday.
WFYI launches new channel just for children
WFYI-TV Channel 20 on Monday plans to launch PBS Kids on the station’s 20.2 digital channel. The channel will feature “Sesame Street,” “Splash and Bubbles” and 19 other children’s shows designed to be educational and entertaining.
Ball State decides against giving up TV station frequency
The decision comes after the university had considered giving up the WIPB-TV frequency in a Federal Communications Commission auction aimed at freeing up bandwidth for mobile devices.
WTTV Channel 4 loses morning, noon anchorman
The station continues to revamp its morning newscasts, which have struggled in the ratings. Three of its morning personalities have been replaced in the last three months.