WTVD is preparing to launch the first 4-5 p.m. newscast in the Raleigh market later this week, replacing Oprah when she signs off on Wednesday.
“We at ABC11 are proud and excited to take the lead in providing Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville and surrounding areas with a landmark in the region’s local news coverage, the first daily 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. newscast,” said John Idler, WTVD’s president and general manager, in announcing the new newscast.
The new 4 p.m. newscast will be anchored by Frances Scott and Fred Shropshire, both native North Carolinians. Shropshire joined WTVD in 2007 and has been working as a weekend anchor and weekday reporter. Scott currently anchors the 5 and 5:30 p.m. weekday newscasts. Meteorologist Chris Hohmann will also be on-hand.
The additional hour of news means that WTVD will now run a solid block of local news from 4 to 6:30, followed by “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.”