Station will launch morning newscast from 5-9 a.m. EST and half-hour newscast at 6:30 p.m. EST
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – WDKY-TV (FOX), the Nexstar Media Inc. television station serving Lexington, Kentucky, and the central Kentucky region, today announced a major expansion of its local news programming beginning Jan. 1, 2022, when the station will launch a live four-hour morning newscast airing from 5-9 a.m. EST and a live 30-minute early evening newscast at 6:30 p.m. EST.
Both new newscasts, in addition to the FOX 56 Monday through Sunday 10-11 p.m. live newscast, will originate from the newly constructed, state-of-the-art studios and a 21st-century media center specifically designed to enable WDKY-TV to gather news faster and more efficiently while equipped with the latest innovations in video and audio technology. In tandem with the expansion of its local news programming, WDKY-TV is hiring more than 50 experienced journalists and news personnel.
“This is more than a rebuild, it’s a complete rebrand,” said Monte Costes, Vice President and General Manager of WDKY FOX 56. “The planning and preparation leading up to our launch and expansion have been very exciting for our team. Our news will have a new look, a new brand, and new content offerings that reflect the community we serve and the type of product our viewers have told us they want. That local perspective affects every decision we make, including the people we hire.”
Kentucky native and award-winning experienced journalist Mark Glover leads the FOX 56 newsroom as the station’s News Director. During his distinguished career, Glover has been in a leadership role at top-performing news operations and will now play a big role in offering the same level of quality journalism to central Kentucky.
“The television news community knows we’re building something special in Lexington, and they want to be a part of it,” said Mr. Glover, WDKY’s News Director. “We’re hiring some of the best and brightest in television, and many, like me, see this as an opportunity to come home. We’re also fortunate to have Lexington-native and Emmy Award-winning reporter Miranda Combs as our Assistant News Director. Our team is also being led by one of Kentucky’s finest journalists, our new, award-winning, Managing Editor, Marvin Bartlett.”
Mr. Bartlett has anchored newscasts in Lexington for almost 27 years. He’s won Emmy awards, AP awards, and the appreciation of central Kentucky viewers for his popular series, Spirit of the Bluegrass.
“We’re excited about the changes that are coming and know our viewers will be, too,” said Mr. Bartlett, who also is co-anchor of central Kentucky’s top-rated evening newscast, FOX 56 News at 10 p.m. “They’ve always depended on us to give them the information they want at times that fit their schedule. That’s not going to change, but now we’ll be offering more original content, stories you won’t see anywhere else.”
The new, four-hour morning newscast will offer viewers important and impactful information they need to start their days. Breaking news, the top stories of the day, and how the weather will impact the day will be featured. The morning newscast will also showcase all the unique and traditional things–events, food, personalities–the Bluegrass state has to offer. WDKY will be the only Lexington station to offer local content every weekday from 7-9 a.m.
The new FOX 56 early evening newscast at 6:30 p.m. will offer viewers a convenient local news alternative to national news as they settle in after a long day. This newscast will provide viewers with easy-to-understand explanations of how the weather may affect their evening plans and provide a first look at the next day’s weather. The newscast will also help explain the impact of local headlines on the lives of viewers and include entertaining and informative stories from the Bluegrass area’s passionate sports scene.
“More news means more opportunities to make a difference in our community,” said Kristen Pflum, Edward R. Murrow and AP award-winning co-anchor of the FOX 56 News at 10 p.m. “Our Bluegrass Crime Stoppers reports are making our neighborhoods safer by empowering people to work with police and rewarding those who see something or know something and have the courage to anonymously report it. That’s the power of local news, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish with additional resources.”
ABOUT WDKY FOX 56
WDKY-TV is the local FOX-affiliated television station serving the Lexington DMA and central Kentucky while licensed in Danville, Kentucky. The station began broadcasting in 1986 and is owned by Nexstar Media Group. The newly constructed, state-of-the-art WDKY-TV studios and expanded news operations are situated in the heart of Bluegrass country in Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington is the second largest city in the state and is known as the horse capital of the world. WDKY-TV broadcasts on UHF digital channel 19 and virtual channel 56. WDKY-TV is the proud home of central Kentucky’s #1 late-night newscast as well as central Kentucky’s favorite FOX Prime programs, FOX sports, and many of the area’s favorite syndicated programing.
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About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital, and mobile media platforms. Its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Nexstar Media Inc., consists of three divisions: Broadcasting, Digital, and Networks. The Broadcasting Division operates, programs, or provides sales and other services to 199 full-power television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 116 markets addressing more than 68% of U.S. television households. The division’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV, and The CW. The Digital Division operates 120 local websites and 284 mobile apps offering hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when, and how they access content and creating new revenue opportunities for the company. The Networks Division operatesNewsNation,formerly WGN America, a national news and entertainment cable network reaching 75 million television homes, multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and WGN Radio in Chicago. Nexstar also owns a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top-tier cable asset. For more information, please visitwww.nexstar.tv.
