WOI Des Moines

Tegna’s Des Moines, Iowa, duopoly of WOI (ABC) and KCWI (CW) is moving anchor Samantha Mesa to mornings and anchor Good Morning Iowa alongside Chenue Her. The new role is […]

The station group chooses Native Iowan Mary Ann Johnson to Lead its ABC-CW duo of WOI and KCWI.

The station groups were cited for their “strong, clear, vocal leadership.” Other winners of the political journalism award, which is bestowed by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism,include include KUSA Denver (two awards); KXAN Austin, Texas; WXIA Atlanta; WOI Des Moines, Iowa; KMGH Denver; and KCET Los Angeles.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group’ three television stations in Iowa will provide that state’s voters broadcast coverage of the one-hour debate between U.S. Senate candidates Joni Ernst (R) and current U.S. Representative […]

Nexstar will acquire WOI Des Moines, Iowa; WHBF Rock Island, Ill., and KCAU Sioux City, Iowa, from Citadel Communications for $88 million and will operate them under a time brokerage agreement. Mission is buying WICZ and WBNP-LP Binghamton, N.Y., from Stainless Broadcasting for $15.25 million in a transaction structured as an asset purchase agreement.

These affiliates in Providence, Des Moines, Davenport, Lincoln and Sioux City bring the ABC diginet’s U.S. clearance to about 55%.

Advertising from Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC was rejected by Citadel’s Des Moines, Iowa, ABC affiliate, based on its belief that these commercials would be confusing to Iowa voters. Are there legal issues with the station deciding not to run these ads? Not at all.

Citadel Communications named Russ Hamilton vice president and general manager of its Des Moines, Iowa, ABC affiliate. Hamilton succeeds Ray Cole, president and chief operating officer of parent company Citadel, who had also been serving as GM of the station. Cole said WOI needed a full-time general manager after Citadel purchased a station in Providence, R.I., in March.