Reinventing the TV Station

Local TV stations around the country, challenged by cable and other competitors, are experimenting with a variety of new programming ventures to attract viewers.

First-Run Syndication: Although this option has been around for years, local TV stations--particularly independents--are increasingly relying on new shows that bypass the networks. Major successes include “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Baywatch.” Shows that will debut next season include a “Star Trek” spinoff called “Deep Space Nine” and a reprise of “Kung Fu.”

Producing for Competitors: To raise the profile of their local news programs, TV stations are producing newscasts that appear on other local stations or cable systems. NBC affiliate KRON (Channel 4) in San Francisco and KCAL (Channel 9) in Los Angeles prepare five-minute news updates that are inserted by local cable systems into CNN Headline News twice an hour. CBS affiliate KFMB (Channel 8) in San Diego produces a half-hour newscast for a local cable system. Other stations produce newscasts for independent stations in their local market.

New Local Programs: Independent stations, struggling to establish identities in a crowded field, are producing more programs for prime time. KCAL has pioneered three hours of prime-time news, while WWOR (Channel 9) in New York broadcasts a one-hour talk show at 8 p.m. weeknights titled “New York at Night Starring Clint Holmes.” Fox-owned WNYW (Channel 5) in New York launched “Jane,” a 5 p.m. talk show hosted by Jane Wallace, formerly of CBS, which is targeted at teen-agers. And Fox’s KRIV (Channel 26) in Houston broadcasts a daily 9:30 p.m. newscast, “City Under Siege,” that focuses on crime and other urban ills.