KLAF-KADN Set To Intro Local Newscasts

Nexstar Broadcasting Group today said its KLAF-LD (NBC) and KADN-TV (Fox) serving Lafayette, La. (DMA 121), will launch their own locally-produced news programming beginning April 1 at 5 p.m. CT.

This local news initiative follows the successful change of KLAF’s network affiliation by Nexstar to the market’s first-ever NBC-affiliated station in July 2015. In association with news programming debut, Nexstar made a significant investment to remodel the KLAF-KADN broadcast facility on Eraste Landry Road in Lafayette, add over two dozen news and production personnel, develop new on-air graphics and purchase new equipment, weather technology and traffic systems to complement the locally-originated newscasts.

Broadcast in full HD, KLAF-KADN multimedia journalists will deliver news from the stations’ remodeledbroadcast center. The upgraded studios include a locally-themed news set, state-of-the-art HD cameras and production capabilities, renovated offices and weather forecasting equipment featuring early warning technology and advanced alert systems.

In addition, the expanded team of seasoned journalists with unique ties to Louisiana will provide viewers with more local news content relevant to local communities in Lafayette/Acadiana through additive and enhanced digital applications with both mobile and desktop accessibility on CajunFirst.com.

The new full-day local news programming schedule begins April 4, 2016 with the debut of a newly named Acadiana Today weekday morning newscast airing on KLAF from 5 to 7 a.m. In addition, KLAF will feature evening newscasts weekdays at 5, 6 and 10 p.m., as well as special weekend evening newscasts at 6 and 10 p.m. on Saturdays and at 5 and 10 p.m. on Sundays. KADN will air evening newscasts weekdays at 9 p.m.

KLAF-KADN will continue to be available on the same cable, satellite and over-the-air channels as today.

Nexstar’s said its investment to expand the operations’ local news programming, hire additional news personnel and fully upgrade all aspects of the stations’ technical infrastructure “highlights the Company’s organization-wide commitment to broadcasting excellence and enhanced service to local communities, viewers and advertisers.”

Commenting on the news launch, Tom Poehler, KLAF-KADN VP-GM, said: “Following the successful launch of the market’s first NBC-affiliated station on KLAF-TV last summer, we are once again raising our commitment to local viewers and advertisers with the debut of our new locally-produced news programming, broadcast live in full high definition (HD) from our new state-of-the-art Lafayette facilities. Our dedicated employees at KLAF NBC Local and KADN Fox 15have a strong history of responding to the needs of the people and communities of Lafayette/Acadiana and the launch of our full-coverage local news programming is an extension of that legacy.

“This is a very exciting time for KLAF-TV/KADN-TV and our local viewers as the expansion will increase our locally-produced news, lifestyle, sports, weather and community programming to over 22 hours per week, with 24/7 access to additional compelling local content online at CajunFirst.com.Importantly, the expansion of our news programming reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering superior local news, entertainment programming and exclusive content to local viewers while offering businesses and advertisers unparalleled marketing opportunities across all screens and devices. We are grateful for the tremendous support and positive feedback we have received from the local community about our planned local news expansion and look forward to the upcoming launch on April 1.”