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Newsroom Profile: FOX59 and CBS4

Poynter · Tracey Compton · last updated

Current example of TV consolidation thrives

This column is part of the Indianapolis Public Editor project, a pilot program designed to test whether the presence of a public editor who analyzes local coverage can elevate audience trust in journalism and promote media literacy.

Owned by the Nexstar Media Group and affiliated with the Fox network, the FOX59 newsroom provides local Indianapolis viewers with more than 100 hours a week of local broadcast news programming, in combination with CBS4’s newsroom.

Since FOX59 (WXIN) began producing news for CBS4 (WTTV) in 2015, management said, both stations are thriving. Nexstar Media Group took ownership of Tribune Media stations, including FOX59 and CBS4, in 2019. Combined, they have 140 staff members, including 40 on-air journalists. The two local channels share a building, promotional resources and operations.

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