Little Rock Station's Control Board Crashes During Newscast

Seems KARK/Channel 4/Little Rock had some difficulties with its 10pm news Wednesday:

New Anchors Named in Northwest Arknasas

Source: Press Release KHBS/KHOG  Kelly Johnson and Paige Preusse have been named weeknight news anchors for KHBS/KHOG-TV, the home of 40/29 News.

Johnson will co-anchor 40/29 News at 5:00 p.m. with Daniel Armbruster and 6:00 p.m. with Craig Cannon, while Preusse will co-anchor 40/29 News at 9:00 p.m. with Armbruster and 10:00 p.m. with Cannon.

Johnson previously co-anchored 40/29 News Sunrise, while Preusse anchored 40/29’s weekend evening news. Both Johnson and Preusse will also contribute LIVE. LOCAL. LATE BREAKING. reporting on all 40/29 News platforms.

“Kelly and Paige’s anchoring and field reporting experience are a perfect fit for our team”, said 40/29 News Director, Greg Shepperd. “Their versatility will enhance 40/29 News’ commitment to thoroughly cover the entire market.”

Johnson and Preusse assume their new responsibilities, effective immediately.

KLRT Anchor Moving to Baton Rouge

This from the tip jar:

Deedra Wilson, morning anchor at KLRT/Channel 16/Little Rock, will be leaving soon to join a fellow Nexstar Broadcasting sister station in Baton Rouge, La.

Wilson joined in-house sister station KARK/Channel 4 as a reporter in 2012, and was later promoted as the lead morning anchor on KLRT.

KATV Hires Former KARK Creative Services Director

Matt Barnette has been hired as the new marketing producer at KATV/Channel 7/Little Rock.  TV Newscheck reports Barnette will start his new job later this week.   Barnette most recently worked at the Nextsar stations in Little Rock. 

Sinclair to Produce Sunday National News Program for its Stations

Sinclair has announced it will start producing a Sunday morning national news program for its stations nationwide, which includes KATV/Channel 7/Little Rock.  In a press release Sinclair says former CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson will join the company in June and host the 30 minute weekly program.  

"We are excited to have Sharyl on board as we launch this group-wide news program," said Scott Livingston Vice President of News for Sinclair Television Group.  "Our goal is to provide the context and perspective on major issues impacting our viewers.  Sharyl has a proven track record of exposing the truth behind stories that other news organizations shy away from. I admire Sharyl's determination and passion to seek the truth.  Her unwavering commitment to exposing government waste, abuse and impropriety will be the foundation of our news program."

The program will begin in the fall.

Former NWA Met Finds New Gig

We now have the answer as to where former KNWA weather guesser Gina De Vecchio is.  Gina debuted this past weekend at WXII in Salem, North Carolina.  Gina disappeared from Northwest Arkansas at the first of the year.

Hat tip
TV Spy

New Corporate Name for Gannett Broadcast Stations and Digital Unit

KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock will be getting a new parent company..sorta.  Gannett announced today it is spinning off its publishing and broadcast and digital properties.  Tegna will be the new name for Gannett's broadcast and digitial units.  "Tegna is a nod to the more than 100-year-old history of Gannett," Gracia Martore, Gannett's CEO, said in a statement.  Tegna will be the new corporate name for 46 broadcast stations and its digital units.

SINCLAIRED!

This from the tip box:

KATV is officially looking like Sinclair.  They debuted the Sinclair graphics and music package today. (Monday)

The Beginning of the End for Soul of the South?

Could Little Rock's two year old Soul of the South network be shutting down operations?  Arkansas Business.com reports the network is in financial trouble and is mulling the decision to wind down operations.  Read the complete article over at Arkansas Business.com.

Another Clean Sweep for KATV for February

KATV/Channel 7/Little Rock sweeped the ratings in February's Nielson ratings book.. Arkansas Business.com reports KATV won every news hour where it had competition.  AB.com says the station beat KARK and KTHV by 6 ratings points in the 6pm news slot alone.  KATV attributes the ratings win with its weather coverage during the month.

Little Rock Station Adds to the Weather Department

KLRT/Channel 16/Little Rock has a new weather guesser. Meteorologist Matt Peterson made his first on air appearance last night on the Little Rock station.  Matt comes to KLRT from KCAU/Channel 9/Sioux City, Iowa where he was the weekday morning and mid-day meteorologist.