Tribune Broadcasting announced that its 24/7 local Chicago cable news operation, CLTV, will be merged into WGN-TV to create the market’s largest TV newsroom. The physical relocation into WGN’s facilities is planned for the coming summer.
"This is a golden opportunity to expand our position as the breaking news leader in Chicago, to broaden our reach and develop new programming and advertising opportunities," said Ed Wilson, Chief Revenue Officer of Tribune Company and President of Tribune Broadcasting. "This also will strengthen our overall broadcasting business in Chicago — the moment is now," he added.
All of CLTV’s business and television functions will move to WGN-TV’s facilities on Chicago’s northwest side this summer. The two entities will operate together in one newsroom, with reporters and photographers delivering content to both stations. CLTV will continue to be a stand-alone 24-hour cable news channel with extended coverage of live stories not available anywhere else and specialty programs such as "Garrard McClendon Live," "Metromix," "Sports Page," "Homes Plus," and "Living Healthy Chicago."
Advertisers will benefit from the arrangement, too, Tribune Broadcasting said, with one-stop ability to buy time on both stations. “Advertisers will get increased opportunities to share their message with loyal local audiences and broaden their market coverage,” the company said.
RBR/TVBR observation: This is such an obvious move that you have to wonder why they were ever separate to start with. For a company trying to reorganize in Chapter 11 during a severe recession, this is a no-brainer.
