WNBC, the flagship station of NBC Universal in New York, is gearing up to launch a 24-hour local news channel this fall.
The network will feature live headlines every half-hour and the latest weather and traffic information for the area. It will also be the main source for live continuous breaking news as it develops in the nation's largest DMA.
The news network’s launch is part of a transformation of NBCU’s 30 Rock headquarters in midtown Manhattan to a “content center.” Expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter 2009, the construction will redesign the 6th and 7th floor offices at 30 Rock.
The content facility will incorporate new technology and workflow designed to enhance the production process, making it easier to gather, edit, update and distribute local content across the station's various platforms. Employees will have the ability to create content that is platform-agnostic, taking total control over a story and tailoring it for any and all of WNBC's media platforms, including the station's primary and digital channels, wnbc.com Web site, local out-of-home platforms and the 24-hour local news channel.
The center will revolve around a core "pool" of local information, video and graphics that will be updated throughout the day. It will serve as the central source of local content that is used to program the station's various platforms. The content pool will also serve as the backbone for the station's new 24-hour hyper-local news channel, which will feature live headlines every half-hour and the latest weather and traffic information for the area. It will also be the main source for live continuous breaking news as it develops in the marketplace.
“This is the next step in WNBC's mission to diversify its operations and become the leading multi-platform content provider for the New York market,” said local media division president John Wallace in a statement. “In order to remain successful, local stations must put the appropriate weight on the additional platforms beyond their core television station. Consumers are demanding relevant content, round-the-clock, on the platform of their choice. This new structure better positions us to meet that demand in a way that's synonymous with the WNBC brand.”
NBC Universal is also creating a Manhattan “business operations center” that will consolidate operations at three New York offices: 437 Madison Avenue, 2 Park Avenue and Chelsea Market. 30 Rock will remain the home of NBC News, NBC Sports, NBC Entertainment and WNBC.
NBCU is also planning a West Coast News and content center in Los Angeles.
