By Frank Macek
For a long time, local TV news had a playbook that rarely changed. You had your set air times, polished anchor desks, and a 30-minute rundown of top stories. It worked—and it worked well.
But those days? They’re quickly fading. Viewers have moved, habits have shifted, and stations like WKYC Studios in Cleveland are completely rethinking how we do local news in the streaming age.
Here’s the thing: the local newscast isn’t going away. But it is being rebuilt—and WKYC is one of the stations helping lead that charge.
Why We Had to Change
Let’s be real—nobody’s sitting around waiting for a 6 p.m. newscast anymore. People want their news now, on their phone, in a quick video, or as part of a live stream they can tune into whenever it’s convenient. Younger viewers, in particular, aren’t tied to the living room TV—they’re watching while riding the bus, grabbing coffee, or scrolling at midnight.
That’s why just sticking with “what’s always worked” isn’t good enough. To stay relevant, we have to go where the viewers are. And that’s online.
Streaming Isn’t a Side Project—It’s the Main Stage
Enter WKYC+—our station’s own 24/7 streaming platform. You’ll find it on Roku, Fire TV, and other devices, and it’s a whole lot more than just a mirror of our on-air signal.
We’ve been building original content designed just for streaming. That includes longer interviews, behind-the-scenes looks at how stories come together, and even full live shows that never air on traditional TV.
One of the biggest examples? “GO!” from 7 to 9 a.m., which now runs exclusively on WKYC+. It’s still anchored by Danita Harris and Dave Chudowsky, with Matt Wintz doing weather and Brissa Bradfield on traffic—but this extra block gives us room to breathe, stretch out conversations, and really interact with viewers in real time.
This isn’t your standard morning news. It’s local, it’s live, and it’s built with streamers in mind.
Less Rushing, More Storytelling
The beauty of streaming is that you’re not boxed into tight commercial breaks and rigid rundowns. That means more time for the kinds of stories that really matter.
Our series “Heartstrings” is a great example. These are emotional, deep-dive pieces that might not fit into a traditional show—either because of length or pacing. But on WKYC+, they shine. The storytelling feels more personal, more connected. That’s what streaming makes possible.
Rethinking What It Means to Be On-Air
Streaming isn’t just changing how we air content. It’s changing who we are as journalists.
Today’s anchors aren’t just newsreaders. They’re personalities. They’re on Instagram, answering questions. They’re going live on Facebook to break down a weather event. They’re recording explainer videos, engaging in DMs, and posting behind-the-scenes moments from the newsroom.
Take Betsy Kling, for example. She’s not just our Chief Meteorologist—she’s also our Director of Content, a trusted educator, and a digital presence with serious community reach. Whether it’s a tornado warning or a Q&A on snow squalls, she’s connecting with viewers far beyond the TV screen.
It’s Not Without Its Challenges
Of course, this reinvention doesn’t come without growing pains.
We’re still figuring out how to serve both traditional TV audiences and digital-first viewers. That means doubling up content strategies, training staff to be platform-agnostic, and learning how to measure success in more than just Nielsen ratings.
And let’s be honest—not every platform plays fair. Algorithms don’t always reward good journalism. Budgets are tight. Newsrooms are stretched. But the shift is happening whether we’re ready or not—so we have to be ready.
Why It All Matters
At the end of the day, this is still about local news—connecting with our communities, reflecting our viewers’ lives, and telling stories that matter.
Streaming doesn’t take that away. It just gives us new ways to do it better. It opens the door to people who may not be watching Channel 3 at the top of the hour, but still care deeply about Northeast Ohio.
So when people ask, “Is local news dying?”—my answer is no. Not even close.
It’s evolving. And for stations like WKYC, that evolution is already underway.
We’re not clinging to the past. We’re building what’s next.
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