2 Colorado TV stations to combine some operations

DENVER — Two Colorado television stations are planning to share news resources and other operations in a move that will change the face of Denver-area TV.

The agreement between Denver Fox affiliate KDVR-TV, and KWGN-TV, a CW network station, was announced Tuesday by their parent companies. Local TV Holdings LLC owns KDVR, and Tribune Company owns KWGN.

The deal calls for KWGN to leave its studios in Greenwood Village and move into KDVR’s building southeast of downtown Denver.

KDVR general manager Dennis Leonard says the two stations will have separate sales teams and air separate newscasts but will share news resources.

Leonard says the number of job losses at KWGN is being evaluated.
The agreement is expected to take effect Oct. 1.

Fox and CW affiliates in St. Louis announced Tuesday they are combining their news operations.

Local TV Holdings owns KTVI, the Fox affiliate, and Tribune Co. owns KPLR, the CW affiliate.

Their combined newsroom, to be located in KPLR’s current offices, will produce staggered news reports for nine hours a day.

KTVI General Manager Spencer Koch says viewers want local news programs throughout the day, not just in the early morning, early evening and at night.

The stations will save money on news gathering, staff and services.