News HUB (formerly known as Independent News Network) is a production company based in Little Rock, Arkansas, which syndicates "localized" news programs for broadcast television stations in the United States, that have budgets limiting their ability to produce their own local newscasts.
| Formerly | Independent News Network |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | , US |
Key people |
|
| Brands | Hispanic News Network |
| Services | newscasts |
| Owner | Coastal Television Broadcast Group |
| Website | coastaltvgroup |
In addition to producing local newscasts, INN also produced a Spanish language Hispanic News Network, or HNN and (prior to September 2019) INN News for national syndication.[1]
History
editRegional News Network
editThe Regional News Network started in 1999 and branded itself as Independent News Network. The company's first client was Davenport Fox affiliate KLJB (channel 18). INN produced a half-hour primetime newscast for that station, titled the Fox 18 Nine O'Clock News, which started on December 31 1999[2] until the station entered into a news share agreement with crosstown ABC affiliate WQAD-TV in September 2010.[3]
The company started two syndicated general national news products in June 2002. "The American Times" and "INN News" were for stations and cable channels who did not want a customized news product. In October, a Montana regional newscast, Big Sky News, with some localization for five stations began.[4]
INN began expanding into Spanish language newscast with Univision affiliates, particularly those owned by Equity Media Holdings. The Salt Lake City affiliate, KUTH, became INN's first Spanish client in February 2003. INN started Noticias Arkansas, a regional and local Spanish newscast, in June 2004 for affiliates in Little Rock and North West Arkansas.[4]
In August 2008, INN launched Hispanic News Network (HNN) in 20 markets. At that time INN employed six on-air personnel, with the expectation of hiring 6 more by early 2009.[5] A new studio was constructed for HNN and WMYD, the Detroit MyNetwork TV affiliate.[6]
Latin Media Group
editRegional News Network filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on December 31, 2008.[2][7] INN was taken over in early January 2009 by LMG, Inc., part of Fusion Communications, also of Davenport, Iowa. In the transfer, INN laid off 12 of its staff of 40,[2] and kept its client stations except for WPGA-TV in Macon, Georgia.[8]
By November 2009, Independent News Network signed on WeatherNation for five of INN's Spanish language client stations.[9] INN agreed by October 2011 to support Soul of the South Network's planned five hours of news per day.[10] INN's staff was further cut to 14 in June 2013 as more client stations left the service.[1]
Media Gateway division
editBy June 2015, SSN Media Gateway, LLC had acquired Independent News Network. At that time Media Gateway hired Anne Imanuel who remains one of the company’s primary anchors.
Sarah Blakely was hired by May 2017 as anchor for the Lafayette, Indiana Star City News.[11]
News Hub
editWaypoint Media purchased Independent News Network from Media Gateway in early June 2019 and renamed it to News Hub. As corporate director of news, Elden A. Hale Jr. was then appointed to head the division. The national version of the newscast was dropped at the same time.[12] After a planned sale to Standard Media Group[13] collapsed, Waypoint announced the sale of the hub to Coastal Television Broadcast Group in July 2021.[14]
Waypoint's WHPM-LD in Hattiesburg–Laurel, Mississippi retained its affiliation with News Hub after the hub's sale to Coastal.
Coastal's KQDS-TV in Duluth, Minnesota and KVRR in Fargo, North Dakota (including KVRR's satellites, KBRR, KJRR and KNRR) do not utilize News Hub, instead broadcasting their own locally-produced newscasts. Coastal's WLOV-TV in West Point, Mississippi, serving Columbus, Tupelo and Starkville, operated by Morris Multimedia, also does not utilize News Hub, instead airing newscasts produced by Morris Multimedia's Columbus-licensed WCBI-TV. Coastal's WJKP-LD in Corning, New York does not carry any newscasts.
Hispanic News Network
editHispanic News Network (HNN) was launched by INN in 20 markets in August 2008. Alan Rivera was promoted to executive producer for HNN and newscaster after already working at INN for 4 years. At launch, HNN produced three newscasts a day. At that time INN employed six on-air personnel with expectation of hiring 6 more by early 2009.[5]
Stations with News Hub/INN newscasts
editEnglish
editCurrent
edit| City of license | Station | Affiliation | Owner | Newscasts produced | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | KYUR | ABC | Vision Alaska; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | 2022 |
| KTBY | Fox | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 9 p.m. weekdays | ||
| Fairbanks, AK | KATN | ABC/Fox | Vision Alaska; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 5 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | |
| Juneau, AK | KJUD | ABC/CW/Fox | Vision Alaska; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 5 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | |
| Jonesboro, AR | KJNB-LD/KJNE-LD | Fox/CBS | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | 2017 |
| Lafayette, IN | WPBI-LD | Fox/NBC | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 6 p.m. (NBC), 10 p.m. (Fox) and 11 p.m. (NBC) weekdays | May 29, 2017[11] |
| WPBY-LD | ABC | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 7 p.m. (ABC) and 11 p.m. (WPBI-LD) weekdays | ||
| Hattiesburg–Laurel, MS | WHPM-LD | Fox | Waypoint Media | 9 p.m. weekdays | 2017 |
| Meridian, MS | WMDN | CBS | Big Horn Television; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | 2017 |
| WGBC | Fox/NBC | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | |||
| Corning–Elmira, NY | WYDC | Fox | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 10 p.m. weekdays | 2017 |
| Jackson, TN | WNBJ-LD | NBC/CW | Coastal Television Holdings | 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | 2017 |
| Casper, WY | KTWO-TV | ABC | Vision Alaska Television Holdings; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | Good Morning Wyoming, 12 p.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekends |
2022 |
| KFNB/KFNE/KFNR/KWYF-LD | Fox | Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays | ||
| KGWC-TV/KGWL/KGWR | CBS | Big Horn Television; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | 10 p.m. weekdays (KTWO) | ||
| Cheyenne, WY | KKTQ-LD | ABC | Vision Alaska Television Holdings; operated by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company | Good Morning Wyoming, 12 p.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays (KTWO) 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekends (KTWO) | |
| KLWY | Fox | Coastal Television | 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays (KFNB) |
Former
edit| City of license | Station | Affiliation | Newscasts produced | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Youtoo America | Youtoo America | INN News (7 p.m. ET weekdays) | Unknown | September 2019 |
| Montgomery, AL | WNCF | ABC | One[6] | August 2005 | February 1, 2013 |
| Gainesville, FL | WGFL | CBS | 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekdays | October 27, 2010[15] | April 2016 |
| WNBW-DT | NBC | 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekdays | |||
| WMYG-LP | MyNetworkTV | 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays | |||
| Columbus, GA | WLTZ | NBC | Three[6][16] | December 2007 | July 2014 |
| Macon, GA | WPGA-TV | Independent | 7 p.m. weekdays[17] | July 2007 | January 4, 2009 |
| Davenport, IA | KLJB | Fox | 9 p.m. weekdays[3][18] | December 31, 1999 | September 6, 2010 |
| Louisville, KY | WJYL-CD | TBN | One[6] | Unknown | Unknown |
| Alexandria, LA | KLAX-TV | ABC | Two[6] | February 2007 | December 2018 |
| Salisbury, MD | WRDE-LP | NBC | [19] | 2014 | May 31, 2019 |
| Boston, MA | WBIN-TV | Independent | 10 p.m. weekdays | September 2011 | April 26, 2013[20] |
| Detroit, MI | WMYD | MyNetworkTV | 10 p.m. weekdays[6] | 2008 | September 2009 |
| Montana | Five stations | ABC | Big Sky News[4] | October 2002 | ca. 2004 |
| Omaha, NE | KPTM | Fox | 9 p.m. weekdays[16] | September 6, 2010 | 2013[1] |
| Reno, NV | KRXI-TV | Fox | 11 p.m. weekdays | 2011 | 2013[1] |
| Salem, OR | KWVT-LD | 4:30 p.m. weekdays[21] | April 6, 2006 | 2009 | |
| Roanoke, VA | WZBJ | MyNetworkTV | Condensed weather report[6] | Unknown | Unknown |
| Cheyenne, WY | KGWN-TV | CBS | One[6] | ca. 2006 | December 19, 2013 |
Spanish
edit| City of license | Station | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | WUVM-LD[6] (channel 4) | Azteca América |
| Las Vegas | KMCC[6] (channel 34) | VasalloVision |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | KHDF-CD (channel 19) | Azteca América |
| Austin, Texas | KADF-LD (channel 20) | Azteca América |
| Dallas, Texas | KAZD (channel 55) | Azteca América |
| Houston, Texas | KYAZ (channel 51) | Azteca América |
| San Antonio, Texas | KVDF-CD (channel 31) | Azteca América |
INN produces several Spanish language newscasts (primarily for Azteca América owned-and-operated stations run by Una Vez Más Holdings, LLC), and provides content for HNN (Hispanic News Network).[citation needed] INN also produces a daily national program for the HITN network.
INN also previously produced a newscast for affiliates of LAT TV, a Houston, Texas-based Spanish language television network; LAT TV folded in May 2008.[22] The company also produced newscasts for seven Univision-affiliated stations owned by the Equity Broadcasting Corporation: KUTH in Salt Lake City, KLRA-LP (now KKYK-CD) in Little Rock, KEYU in Amarillo, WUDT-CA in Detroit, WUMN-CA in Minneapolis, KUOK in Woodward (as well as its repeaters, KCHM-LP in Oklahoma City and KUTU-LP in Tulsa) and WUVF-CA in Naples. Equity discontinued these newscasts on June 6, 2008.[23]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Turner, Jonathan (June 3, 2013). "Davenport-based News Network reduces staff". Quad City Online. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ a b c Burke, David (2008-01-06). "Newscast producer based in Davenport files for bankruptcy". Quad City Times. Davenport, Iowa: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ^ a b "WQAD-TV to take over of newscast production". Quad City Times. August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Our History". INN-News.net. Independent News Network. Archived from the original on June 15, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ a b "Iowa is base for national Hispanic news show". NY Daily News. DAVENPORT, Iowa. AP. September 23, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Burke, David (September 20, 2008). "Davenport-based Hispanic News Network gains TV stations across the country". Quad City Times. Davenport, Iowa: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Burk, Jennifer (2009-01-06). "WPGA's nightly newscast off the air, show's future uncertain". Macon.com (Macon Telegraph). Macon, Georgia: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ Adams, Tony (2009-01-06). "Bankruptcy filing doesn't impact Columbus' WLTZ". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Columbus, Ohio: The McClatchy Company. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ Brooks Suzukamo, Leslie (November 28, 2009). "Ex-WCCO Meteorologist Paul Douglas wants to bring the nation's TV stations more weather". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Digital First Media. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Block, Alex Ben (October 31, 2011). "New Network Targeting African Americans to Launch Next Year". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ a b Vrrma, Atreya (June 1, 2017). "WPBI bursts onto local TV news scene". Purdue Exponent. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "TV news firm bought by Waypoint". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. June 4, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ Lafayette, Jon (November 25, 2019). "Standard Media Group Buys Waypoint, Vision Stations". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ Coastal Television Broadcast Group Acquires Four Lafayette Radio Stations Part Of Larger Deal. Inside Radio. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ Rumbaugh, Andrea (November 13, 2010). "Changes come to area TV sets". Gainesville Sun. GateHouse Media, Inc. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Merli, John (August 26, 2010). "Centralizing 'Local' News". TV Technology. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Burk, Jennifer (January 6, 2009). "WPGA's nightly newscast off the air, show's future uncertain". The Macon Telegraph. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ staff, Times (August 6, 2010). "WQAD-TV to take over of newscast production". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ "AEDC Director's Wife Hired as Anchor for SSN Media". Arkansas Business. Arkansas Business Publishing Group. July 27, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ McCrystal, Laura (May 1, 2013). "Bill Binnie's WBIN stops news broadcasts". Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on May 3, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ "Independent News Network Premieres on Salem TV Station". Salem News. April 6, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Hem, Brad (May 21, 2008). "Spanish language station signs off". chron.com. Houston Chronicle. p. Business, 3. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Equity Says Adios to Spanish-Language News". TVNewsCheck. June 10, 2008.
The two daily newscasts were anchored at Equity Media production and distribution hub in Little Rock, Ark, but they were localized with reports from two reporters stationed in each of the six markets.