Cadillac, MI – First, they launched a 24/7 local news channel covering
northern Michigan. Then, they were hired to help build another news network airing on 5 TV
stations in Nebraska. Now, the team behind several 24/7 local news stations is taking their
model national with the launch of NewsNet – a 24/7 news channel without pundits, panels
or shout shows, built from the ground up with over-the-air broadcasters in mind.
“In recent years, we’ve heard more and more complaints about existing 24/7 national news
channels,” said Eric Wotila, President of NewsNet, which is scheduled to launch late
this year. “At the same time, we’ve received constant compliments about the straight-to
the-facts, no-nonsense and commentary-free local news coverage we provide on MI News
26, our 24/7 local news channel in northern Michigan. So, we thought, ‘Why not take this
model national?’”
Launching a new network has been a long process, which began with a Kickstarter
campaign under the network’s working title, “LNN.” Feedback from that campaign
reinforced the demand for a 24/7 news channel focused on scripted headlines rather than
talk and opinion, and now, the team behind NewsNet is hard at work expanding their
existing studio facilities in Michigan and recruiting affiliates as they prepare for the launch of
the new network.
“The key to NewsNet’s success will be our affiliates,” said Wotila, “and we’re currently
reaching out to stations across the country who are interested in bringing quality news
programming to their markets by carrying NewsNet on one of their subchannels.”
In addition to providing a 24/7 network feed with room for affiliates to insert their own local
advertising – and even their own local newsbreaks, if they desire, NewsNet aims to make it
easy for small stations to get into the local news business, as well. The network is offering
its affiliates an optional, turnkey local news production service for a small fraction of the
cost of building their own news operation.
“In addition to providing national news to stations across the country, we want to bring the
success of our existing 24/7 local news channels to other stations,” said Wotila, “and
by offering turnkey production of local news cut-ins airing on local NewsNet affiliates, we
hope to do just that.”
Stations interested in becoming NewsNet affiliates can email [email protected] to
learn more. The network will also have a presence at NAB, and will be available to meet
with stations interested in affiliation throughout the conference.
