JACKSON, MI – Television viewers in Jackson and Hillsdale counties will have another outlet for local news, thanks to a new management agreement between the Citizen Patriot's media partner WLNS and WLAJ ABC 53.
WLNS will simulcast its 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news shows on ABC 53, starting Monday, April 1. The station will also simulcast its morning show from 5 to 7 a.m. on ABC starting Monday, April 15.
The 6 and 11 p.m. news shows will only be shown on the weekdays.
“It’s great for WLNS to be in more places and reach more people,” said Jam Sardar, news director for WLNS. “This is something I’ve been wanting to do for years.”
The news show will be on before Good Morning America and after popular shows like Dancing with the Stars, Sardar said.
The over-the-air signal for ABC 53 is stronger in Jackson and Hillsdale counties than the signal for WLNS, Sardar said. The simulcasting agreement will also allow WLNS to do more live shots through in the area.
“It’s really going to extend our reach to do live reports for places in Jackson and Hillsdale counties,” Sardar said.
The Lansing-based station already has reporter Maureen LaForge covering Jackson news and working out of the MLive Media Group hub in Jackson as part of a partnership with the Citizen Patriot.
“Since we’re the only news station that has somebody based in Jackson, I think it’s an extension to our commitment to Jackson and Hillsdale counties.”