New Era for Twin Cities TV News Could Bring Fewer Anchors and Less Sports

The Evolving Landscape of Local TV News

Local television news has been experiencing a wave of changes this year, with several high-profile departures and internal restructurings. KARE’s sports director is set to leave, while a former KSTP meteorologist has filed a lawsuit against the station. Additionally, WCCO has seen shifts in its anchor lineup. These developments reflect broader challenges facing the industry, such as changing viewer habits, corporate consolidation, declining public trust in journalists, and financial pressures.

The impact of these issues is not limited to one region; it's being felt nationwide. For instance, KION-TV in Monterey, California, recently announced the closure of its news operations. Meanwhile, at KIMT-TV in Iowa and Minnesota, an anchor had to manage a broadcast solo due to staff shortages. The situation has also extended to national programming, with “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” temporarily suspended before being reinstated by Nexstar and Sinclair, which own 60 ABC affiliate stations.

According to Dana Adams, a former anchor who now runs Adams Broadcast Consulting, the industry is in trouble. “It’s not surprising, but the speed that it’s happening at is surprising,” she said. While local TV news may be in better shape compared to newspapers and magazines, profit margins have dropped by 6% between 2023 and 2024. However, over half of all local TV newsrooms remain profitable, with only 7% operating at a loss.

Despite these challenges, TV remains the most popular format for consumers to stay informed. A recent Minnesota Poll found that 46% of Minnesotans prefer TV news over websites, print media, or radio. The Minneapolis/St. Paul market, ranked 16th nationally, is considered one of the stronger markets. Yet, evaluating the exact status of individual stations has become more difficult, as news directors and general managers are hesitant to speak freely without corporate approval.

Industry Consolidation and Cost-Cutting Measures

Nexstar, the largest local TV broadcasting group in the country, is poised to become even more dominant with its anticipated $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, the third-largest player in the industry. This move could significantly alter the landscape of local news. KARE-TV, an NBC affiliate, is considered one of Tegna’s top stations, known for its award-winning photojournalism and storytelling.

KARE is preparing for the sale by reducing its budget, including staff cuts. Reggie Wilson, the sports director, revealed he will leave the station at the end of the year as his position is being eliminated. Sports departments have become particularly vulnerable, with stations like WMAR in Baltimore and KRIV in Houston eliminating sports anchor positions. With fans able to access scores and highlights anytime, sports reports are no longer as essential.

However, sports anchors can still offer unique value by connecting with viewers through personal interactions. Former KSTP news director Kirk Varner noted that while some stations have reduced their focus on sports, many have eventually reintroduced it. “The message that sports isn’t important is shortsighted,” he said.

Changes in Anchor Lineups and Management

KARE has also seen the departure of well-known figures, including Randy Shaver, Eric Perkins, Pat Evans, Sven Sundgaard, and Adrienne Broaddus. Scott Libin, a broadcast journalism professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasized the importance of big names. “The departure of someone like Belinda Jensen will have an impact,” he said.

At CBS affiliate KSTP, Amelia Santaniello’s move to the 4 p.m. broadcast means her husband, Frank Vascellaro, will now anchor the 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts alone. This cost-cutting measure is becoming more common in larger markets, such as Philadelphia. Similarly, Julie Nelson has been anchoring solo since Shaver left last year. Libin believes this strategy can work if the remaining anchor is well-established.

KSTP, owned by the locally based Hubbard family, is one of the few stations in a major market not controlled by a large corporation. However, it has also lost familiar faces, including sports anchor Joe Schmit and meteorologist Dave Dahl, who retired within the last five years. Meteorologist Wren Clair’s departure in May, following a lawsuit alleging sexual discrimination and harassment, has raised concerns about the station’s reputation.

Streaming and Content Evolution

KSTP has more flexibility in promoting local personalities, having replaced Kelly Ripa’s talk show with “Minnesota Live.” However, it has been slower to embrace streaming content compared to other stations. Libin praised Fox-owned stations for their innovative online documentaries on topics like 3M’s history of manufacturing PFAS chemicals and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder.

Behind the scenes, management changes are also occurring. General manager Mim Davey now oversees Milwaukee’s WITI, part of a national trend to combine or eliminate management roles. Amber Eikel supervises Fox-owned stations in Oakland, Los Angeles, and Seattle, where Kelly Hatmaker was let go after his position was eliminated. Jennifer Lyons manages CBS-owned stations in Chicago and Detroit.

Libin expressed concerns about the effectiveness of distant leadership. “Back in my day, this kind of thing was unthinkable,” he said. “You need leadership. If that person is a few hundred miles away, they are going to have a different perspective.”

Concerns About Duplication and Uniformity

One major concern among news purists is the increasing duplication of news content across stations. A study titled “Reusing the News” found that 39% of the country’s 210 television markets experienced duplication in 2019, affecting 41 million households. Danilo Yanich, a University of Delaware professor, warned that this creates a “sameness” in news coverage.

Nik Usher, a communications studies professor at the University of San Diego, is less concerned about the impact of corporate ownership or simulcasting on news content. “Every station is going to cover the toxic spill,” he said. “Things like the minutiae of politics doesn’t really play to what local TV does well.”

Tim Franklin, the founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern University, believes it’s too early to worry about a major decline in local TV news quality. “These trends tend to happen over a long period of time,” he said. “The biggest challenge is that the audience is aging. The good news is that those are very loyal viewers and they will be for a number of years going forward.”