Telemundo is now providing Hispanic television viewers in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose market the only locally focused Spanish-language news programs airing before noon.
As of June 2, Telemundo-owned station is airing Noticiero Telemundo 48Primera Edición from 5 to 7 a.m. as a lead-in to its nationally distributed Un Nuevo Día entertainment and news program. At 10 a.m., following Un Nuevo Día, KSTS returns to local news with a 30-minute noticiero.
Each of the local programs are anchored by market veterans Lorena Domínguez and Juan Francisco Ramírez. Domínguez has served as a weekend news anchor for KDTV, the crosstown Univision affiliate, and most recently worked as a segment producer and reporter for Time Warner Cable Deportes in Los Angeles. Ramírez has been KSTS’s main sports anchor for more than a year and, prior to that, was the morning show co-anchor at Univision O&O KUVS-DT in Sacramento.
NBCUniversal has invested heavily in the increased news presence for KSTS, sensing an opportunity as Univision employees brace for long-rumored cuts in the television division set for mid-July. KSTS has hired reports and, for the first time, added live weather coverage to its evening newscasts.
In a move tied to Telemundo’s “total market” mantra shared with advertisers at its May Upfront event in New York, KSTS’s newsroom is now working more closely with KNTV in San Jose, the NBC-owned station serving the San Francisco market. The two news departments are already sharing key bilingual talent, local programming and newsroom resources.
“We saw a need in the market to provide Hispanic viewers with relevant local news and information when they need it, especially in the mornings,” Rich Cerussi, president and GM of NBCUniversal’s Bay Area stations, said. “By making these strategic investments at Telemundo 48, we will ensure we meet our viewers’ high expectations.”
With the two morning news additions, KSTS will now produce 3 1/2 hours of local news each weekday.
“These are very exciting times for Telemundo 48,” said KSTS vice president of news Juan Miguel Muniz Guzman. “The additions to our team and our local news coverage will make us a must-see in the market.”
