As part of the restructuring that saw Westwood One drop ABC News for a new CNN powered news service, Westwood One has notified affiliates it will also drop distribution of NBC News to affiliates on December 15.
Affiliates will have the option to switch to the new CNN fueled Westwood One News following the ceasing of NBC News Radio operations. In an ironic twist, the current incarnation of NBC News Radio was established by Westwood One (then Dial-Global) as a replacement service following CNN’s closure of its radio network.
The following is the letter sent by Westwood One to its affiliates:
Dear Westwood One Affiliate,
We will soon begin providing Westwood One News, our locally branded and full-service news network powered by CNN that offers stations enhanced programming, correspondent reports and news features. Westwood One news is designed to help stations integrate their local branding into newscasts with greater flexibility, including selecting one to five minute newscasts based on affiliate needs and preferences.As part of our commitment to providing innovative flexibility for stations, this next-generation news product will include headlines, special reports, correspondent two-ways, newsmaker sound bites and other news elements your listeners expect – all powered by CNN and featuring your local branding.
Effective as of 12am ET Monday, December 15, 2014, NBC News Radio, including radio newscasts and other programming and elements, will no longer be produced and distributed by Westwood One. To ease in your transition, satellite channels will not change for stations switching to Westwood One News. Your announcements, news reports and actualities will be available at news.westwoodone.com.
We look forward to bringing the exciting Westwood One News product to market. If you have any questions, please contact your Westwood One News representative Jim Jones at 202-895-2339. Otherwise, we will be in touch over the next few weeks to discuss your affiliation.As always, thank you for your continued affiliation with Westwood One.
Sincerely,
Dennis Green
Senior Vice-President, Affiliate Sales
