KMBC Launches Expanded Morning Newscast "KMBC 9 FirstNews on KCWE"

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 03, 2008 – KANSAS CITY, MO - KMBC 9 News launches an expanded morning newscast starting March 3, 2008. "KMBC 9 FirstNews on KCWE" will highlight local and national headlines, live breaking news, weather and traffic. It will air weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. on sister station KCWE, Ch. 29.  Watch preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ytACZsnzzA

Wayne Godsey, president and general manager of KMBC/KCWE, said the expansion of the morning news is a direct response to the changing needs and lifestyles of viewers. "Right now, KMBC 9 'FirstNews' ends at 7 a.m. Our viewers tell us they want and need local news, traffic and weather from KMBC 9 News throughout the morning," said Godsey. "We intend to serve those needs by expanding our No. 1 rated morning newscast from 7 to 9 a.m. on KCWE including traffic coverage from Johnny Rowlands in NewsChopper 9."

Find a local KCWE station at (PDF) www.kmbc.com/download/2008/0227/15423372.pdf.

While the newscast will have a similar format to its earlier version on KMBC, "KMBC 9 FirstNews on KCWE" will showcase new content, with a focus on top local headlines, breaking news, weather, traffic and national stories. The program will feature an ensemble cast of KMBC 9 News anchors, reporters and meteorologists including Jim Flink, Dion Lim, Kris Ketz, Donna Pitman, Joel Nichols and Johnny Rowlands in NewsChopper 9.

View News Team bios at www.kmbc.com/kmbcnewsteam/index.html.

KMBC will continue to broadcast ABC's "Good Morning America" on its regular channel; however viewers looking for local news, weather and traffic information can turn to sister station KCWE 29 to continue watching FirstNews. The expanded newscast will be aired in HD. For Comcast it's channel 236, Everest 615, and Time Warner 1431.

KMBC-TV is the first Kansas City television station to broadcast news in high definition. KMBC 9 News contributes local news and weather content to the number one television news Web site www.kmbc.com. Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. owns KMBC-TV and manages KCWE-TV.

Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company's television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America's largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle also is a leader in the convergence of local broadcast television and the Internet. For more information, visit www.hearstargyle.com.