You can add Nexstar’s WCIA-TV (CBS) Champaign/Springfield/Decatur, IL to the list of stations launching new local programming to fill the slot formerly filled by “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
WCIA will launch “ciLiving.tv” on Monday, September 12th. ciLiving.tv will be the market’s first one-hour live, local news and lifestyle 4:00pm program in DMA #82.
“This station has a distinguished heritage of providing Champaign, Springfield and Decatur viewers with local television product that is relevant, original and compelling and ciLiving.tv is a natural progression of that legacy. The show is going to be unlike anything else produced in this region and will highlight WCIA-TV’s commitment to provide our viewers with convenient, timely and topical lifestyle programming. We will provide a fresh product every day to address the evolving dynamics of local viewer interest while offering additional results-driven marketing opportunities for our advertising clients. We believe this program is the next great venture for a station that’s committed to serving our communities and our advertising partners,” said VP/GM Coby Cooper.
WCIA’s pitch says ciLiving.tv will offer Central Illinois viewers fresh, innovative programming with a specialized focus on local lifestyle content including segments from experts on myriad topics of personal and community interest. ciLiving.tv will also promote instant interactivity with viewers, leveraging the power of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and with real-time polling and audience quizzes via text message and the station’s online portal, illinoishomepage.net.
ciLiving.tv will be co-hosted by Drew Wilder and Heather Roberts. Wilder came up through the WCIA ranks as a sports reporter / anchor. The station said his propensity for high quality storytelling made him a natural choice for this new endeavor.
Heather Roberts is a relative newcomer to the television broadcasting industry, but she’s no stranger to Central Illinois. She grew up in this market and was until recently a full time stay-at-home mom with a young family. Roberts was selected after an on-air campaign inviting local residents to submit a video sample explaining why they’d be the perfect fit for this project.
“A few weeks ago, I was your typical wife and mom. I’m so excited to have the chance to be a part of this exciting project. Now I’m able to ask the questions that as a viewer, I’ve always wanted to ask,” she said.
WCIA assigned Executive Producer Nancy Foreman to head up this new endeavor. She brings more than ten years of television experience to this new position, much of it as a producer at the station. New hire Joe Barlow rounds out the ciLiving.tv team as a local storyteller.
WCIA renovated its set adding a working gourmet kitchen and spacious interview / demonstration set to showcase the unique attributes of ciLiving.tv.
