WPTV has entered into a news partnership with the Palm Beach Post. The West Palm Beach NBC-affiliate announced this week that it will work with the newspaper on news stories for TV, print, and the web.
Calling the move a “no-brainer,” WPTV news director Jeff Brogan said that the collaboration would improve news gathering. “If we’re combining our strengths with the Palm Beach Post‘s strengths, I think we’ll get better reporting,” he said.
The E.W. Scripps-owned station has existing news partnerships with South Florida’s Sun-Sentinel and Scripps’ Treasure Coast Newspapers but the new Palm Beach Post partnership will be–at least in principle–the most signifiant. Under the agreement, WPTV will feature a front-page story from the Palm Beach Post during its 11 p.m. newscast as well as during its morning newscast that airs on Fox-affiliate WFLX.
“It’s a powerhouse partnership that delivers the best of both worlds for readers and viewers in our area,” said Tim Burke, publisher and executive editor of the Palm Beach Post. “We’re bringing the visual medium of WPTV to Post readers and the large newsgathering force of Palm Beach Newspapers to WPTV viewers.”
The Cox-owned newspaper will carry WPTV video on its website and Steve Weagle, the station’s chief meteorologist, will provide print and online forecasts for the newspaper. As well, WPTV will occasionally feature Post reporters and columnists during its newscasts.
Anchor Lauren LaPonzina announced the partnership during WPTV’s 6:00 p.m. newscast on Tuesday.