WLS To Produce 7 P.M. Newscast On WCIU

ABC-owned WLS Chicago (DMA 3) and Weigel Broadcasting’s independent WCIU are teaming up for a new, hour-long newscast which will air at 7 p.m. on WCIU.  Beginning Jan. 12, 2015, ABC 7 Eyewitness News on WCIU, The U, will become the only Chicago newscast offered at 7 p.m.

The new broadcast will be anchored by veteran WLS anchors Hosea Sanders and Linda Yu, sports anchor Jim Rose and meteorologist Cheryl Scott.  It will air live, Monday through Friday.

The weeknight newscasts will be produced by WLS News, and will expand ABC 7’s local news coverage by an additional five hours per week.

According to John Idler, WLS president-GM, “We are very excited about our partnership with WCIU, The U.  It gives viewers a chance to watch Chicago’s No. 1 news at a new time and is a convenient option for those who want live, local news earlier in the evening.”

“Adding local news to the schedule was a goal of ours,” said Bob Ramsey, EVP, Weigel Local Media. “We are thrilled to partner with ABC 7 Eyewitness News, the market’s news leader, to provide this service to WCIU, The U’s viewers.”

Terrell Brown will join Judy Hsu, Tracy Butler and Roz Varon in anchoring ABC 7’s News This Morning beginning Jan. 12.