Importance of News to Local Stations

Here in Chicago, the ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates have their local news cast at 10 pm, after prime time (this would be 11 pm on the coasts).

The Fox affiliate, along with Tribune-owned WGN, have their news casts one hour early, and show syndicated reruns (like Fraiser or Sex in the City) at 10 pm.

Now, the Fox affiliate wants to have a 10 pm news cast.

It seems that offering a serious news broadcast during the critical times of day (morning, after work, and after prime time) is now considered a must by local stations.

The feeling is that, since TV show content is now more available over the internet and other distribution models, local news is the one factor that can keep viewers tuned in to them.