Hearst’s KHBS-KHOG, joint ABC-affiliates serving northwestern Arkansas, is set to expand its morning newscast to 4:30 a.m. beginning next week.
“As the lifestyles of our viewers change, the news we deliver must change with them,” said Brian Sather, KHBS-KHOG’s president and general manager.
The extra half-hour will be anchored by Derek Burleson (right), who has been appearing alongside Melissa Kelly in the mornings since 2008. Meteorologist Matt Devitt will also be on-hand to offer early morning weather coverage.
“Not only will our early morning viewers get local news earlier, but we’re adding resources to provide them more local news and weather,” news director Dawn Dugle pointed out. The station says that a team of field crews will be setting their alarm clocks earlier to provide additional live news reports for the expanded newscast.