As NBC affiliates across the country carry the U.S. Open later this week, Orlando’s WESH will instead air what it has been carrying nearly nonstop: the Casey Anthony trial.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, WESH has decided to stick with its 9 to 5 coverage of the Anthony trial–which it launched last Wednesday–on Thursday and Friday and push NBC’s coverage of the 111th U.S. Open to sister station WKCF, a CW-affiliate.
General manager Jim Carter told the Sentinel that he is remaining committed to WESH’s coverage of the Anthony trial because he believes that it’s an important news story (it also doesn’t hurt that the trial has proved to be a bigger draw for Orlando viewers than major sporting events). Plus, WKCF has 100% market reach and will broadcast the golf championship in HD.
The U.S. Open will air on WKCF from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday with WESH set to pick up coverage on Saturday and Sunday while the trial is on break for the weekend.