WDSI-TV - News Operation

News Operation

In the early-1990s, ABC affiliate WTVC produced Chattanooga's first nightly prime time newscast at 10 on then-Independent WFLI. This was possible through an outsourcing arrangement known as a new share agreement where one station produces news for another. The show was eventually cancelled for an unknown reason. Starting in 1996, WTVC aired a second broadcast at 10 on WDSI seen every night through another news share agreement. This time around, the ABC affiliate provided meteorologists, sports anchors, and news reporters while WDSI had its own news anchors.

Although the newscast was produced with assistance from WTVC, WDSI aired the majority of news segments from a expanded facility at its own studios. Eventually in 2000, the operation was expanded into a full local news department competing with the area's big three outlets. The station launched its own news department with broadcasts offered on weekday mornings, weekday afternoons at 4, and every night at 10. This would remain the case until 2004 when WDSI reduced its news department and re-established the previous outsourcing arrangement with WTVC.

Currently, the station is the primary producer of a nightly prime time newscast known as Fox 61 First at 10 with its own weeknight news anchor and reporter based at its studios. WTVC provides all other personnel including additional reporters. On weeknights, the news segment airs from WDSI's studios while the weather forecast and sports report come from WTVC's facility on Benton Drive near the Bonny Oaks Drive/SR 17 interchange with SR 58/SR 153. The entire show originates from WTVC on weekends (see sister station WPXT in Portland, Maine for a similar operation, now defunct). Fox 61 First at 10 can be seen for 35 minutes on weeknights and thirty minutes on weekends.