News-Press & Gazette is now the only game in town for TV viewers in the Yuma, AZ-El Centro, CA, market.
NPG has agreed to a sharing agreement with Blackhawk Broadcasting to operate both NBC affiliate KYMA and CBS affiliate KSWT.
NPG owns KECY and KESE the CW, ABC, FOX and Telemundo affiliates in that market (DMA #166).
Mike Meara, EVP and COO at NPG Broadcasting, told TVSpy, “Due to the economic challenges facing Yuma/El Centro, and similar markets our size, this agreement will allow us to share resources in News, Engineering, Operations and Promotions that will result in a stronger operation that will be able serve the Yuma/El Centro area with a more robust news gathering operation and deeper commitment to Community Service.”
Meara promises viewers will see upgrades to what they currently see on-air including “the latest News Set technology and Hi Definition news and programming on all stations.” He also said each station will maintain “its current, independent news brands and newscasts in the market.”
Meara added, “We love being a part of the Yuma/El Centro communities and are excited that this agreement will allow us to add journalists and expand the online and mobile news efforts to better serve Yuma/El Centro.”
While TVSpy can’t link the move directly to the agreement, we also got independent confirmation Julio Bermudez has been moved from KSWT GM to director of sales and KSWT news director Steve Nuñez is no longer with the station.