Nexstar Launches Statewide Ark. Newscast

Beginning this afternoon, Nexstar Broadcasting Group is harnessing its extensive news platform and technical resources throughout Arkansas to launch the first daily statewide newscast, Arkansas Today. Nexstar NBC affiliates, KARK Little Rock (DMA 56), KNWA Fayetteville (101), KTVE El Dorado, Ark.-West Monroe, La. (137), and KTAL Shreveport, La.-Texarkana, Ark. (83), will air Arkansas Today in high definition Monday through Friday from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Arkansas Today anchor Mallory Hardin and Meteorologist Greg Dee will be joined by local reporters in every newscast and Nexstar is deploying its statewide team of 12 meteorologists and three live Doppler radars across the region to deliver market-specific weather forecasts.

For its local sports coverage, Arkansas Today will feature “Razorback Nation,” a daily report on University of Arkansas athletics originating from Fayetteville. 

In addition, Arkansas Today will air health programming from doctors and a chance to connect and discuss news topics with other Arkansans through the Arkansas Today Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/#!/ArkToday, and on Twitter @ArkansasToday.

Nexstar Broadcasting EVP and Co-Chief Operating Officer Brian Jones said: “Our launch of Arkansas Today allows us to leverage our extensive footprint throughout the state and the strength of our news gathering and reporting resources, including three satellite trucks and nine  live trucks that travel the state.

“These resources combined with our statewide teams of anchors and reporters will bring Arkansas viewers the state’s most comprehensive daily news and weather coverage in a format they can’t get anywhere else.  Simply put, Arkansas Today reflects Nexstar’s core commitment to bring viewers the most relevant local news and community programming.”

Arkansas Today will have live capabilities from all four markets and will be broadcast from KARK’s studio and hub operation in Little Rock. Mike Vaughn, KARK’s VP-GM, added: “Arkansas Today is an ideal collaboration of all of the Nexstar stations’ capabilities throughout the state.  Arkansans are proud of our state and want to be informed of what’s happening beyond their local community. The production and airing of Arkansas Today is another example of how deeply committed our stations are to the people of Arkansas and is something both viewers and advertisers can get behind.”