WPTY-TV - News Operation

News Operation

After becoming an ABC affiliate, WPTY decided to completely re-brand itself and start a news department. The newscasts were initially branded as NewsWatch 24 and featured an energetic, youthful, and almost "grunge" look. It began producing a nightly prime time broadcast on WLMT known as NewsWatch 30 at 9 to compete with WHBQ. Several years later, WPTY re-branded as ABC 24 News (with the news on WLMT becoming UPN 30 News at 9) and began to modify its style to reach a broader audience.

In 2002, WPTY re-branded to Eyewitness News, and modified its style once again to have a harder-edged, more aggressive and often "confrontational" approach by its anchors and reporters to stories and investigations. The change resulted in most of its original news anchors and reporters leaving or being laid off, with a complete overhaul in the station's image and presentation. During this time, WPTY's news operation had its share of recognitions and awards. It was honored in 2005 with Associated Press broadcasting awards for "Best Breaking News", "Best Newscast", "Best Reporter", and "Best Sportscast". The station was also honored in 2005 with an Edward R. Murrow and regional Emmy Award as the "Best Weekend Newscast".

In the same Associated Press award period in 2006, WPTY was honored with nine awards including "Best Overall Newscast". However, it still remained last in market ratings behind long-dominating rivals WREG-TV, WMC-TV, and WHBQ-TV. In 2009, with continued low ratings, and under its new ownership of Newport Television, new management was brought in to the station, leading to several firings and lay-offs in staff. Gradually, WPTY dropped most of its confrontational and aggressive style in its newscasts. In November 2010, after eight years of operating under the Eyewitness News name, WPTY re-branded yet again, returning to ABC 24 News. At the beginning of 2011, WPTY began using a "Circle 24" logo. WPTY's ratings still remain last in the Memphis market, with a high level of turnover in staff continuing as well. On April 29, 2012, WPTY became the last station in the Memphis market to upgrade its news operation to widescreen and began broadcasting its news in 16:9 widescreen standard definition. The change was made quietly and the station does not advertise that its newscasts are in widescreen. Meanwhile, the other stations in the Memphis market, (WMC, WREG, and WHBQ) are broadcasting news in high definition.

In addition to its newscasts on WPTY, three newscasts for WLMT are produced including an hour at 7 on weekday mornings and every night at 9 for 45 minutes. Following the prime time news, there is a fifteen minute sports highlight show. Fox affiliate WJKT simulcasts the nightly 9 o'clock broadcast and sports show. That station has microwave facilities at its studios in Jackson which allows the transmitting of live shots from the area. During weather segments, WPTY and WLMT use live NOAA National Weather Service radar data from the Local Forecast Office on Farm Road in Memphis (its official address is Walnut Grove Road). Although WPTY and WHBQ air their midday shows at 11, this channel is the only one to have an hour-long broadcast at that time.