WWMT - News Operation

News Operation

Originally, WKZO was Western Michigan's highest rated television station, but lost the lead to WZZM in the mid-1970s. It has been a solid runner-up, first to WZZM and later WOTV/WOOD-TV, for most of the time since then. For a time in the mid-1990s even though most of WWMT's fellow CBS affiliates were in third place or worse, this station was very competitive with WZZM and WOOD-TV often resulting in close Nielsen ratings during sweeps periods.

Since its city of license is Kalamazoo, the station has traditionally had a focus in the southern areas of the market (Kalamazoo and Battle Creek). To assist in story gathering efforts in these areas, it operates a bureau in Downtown Battle Creek on Michigan Avenue West. On two occasions, WWMT's existence prevented WOTV, the other major station based in the southern part of the market, from establishing a local news presence.

Veteran news anchor Tom VanHowe began filling-in for Jeff McAtee on July 28, 2008. McAtee was on active duty serving as a commander with the United States Navy Reserve. Marketing Director Mark Bishop told the Grand Rapids Press that "McAtee will be active in the Navy Reserve for a year or two." In November 2008, VanHowe extended his contract to continue on WWMT until at least June 2009. He continued to co-anchor newscasts on weeknights at 5, 5:30, and 6. Weekday morning news anchor Jeff Varner (participant in Survivor: The Australian Outback) moved to the weeknight broadcasts alongside Judy Markee.

On September 18, 2008, WWMT added a nightly prime time newscast at 10 on its CW-affiliated second digital subchannel. This established a third option of local news in the time slot competing with Fox affiliate WXMI and MyNetworkTV affiliate WXSP (show produced by WOOD-TV). Known as Newschannel 3 Live at 10 on The CW 7, this currently airs for thirty minutes featuring a separate title opening, "CW 7" labeled mics, and a "Newschannel 3 on CW 7" bug in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Weekday mornings from 6 until 9, WWMT-DT2 also offers the nationally syndicated show known as The Daily Buzz.

On April 17, 2009, WXMI became the first station in the area to upgrade local news to full high definition. Six months later, WOOD-TV added 16:9 enhanced definition widescreen newscasts (WZZM would do the same sometime in late-2009). Although not truly high definition, broadcasts matched the aspect ratio of HD television screens. WWMT remained the last major station in Western Michigan with pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition news until April 16, 2011 when it became the second outlet in the market to upgrade local shows to full high definition (updated graphics were introduced along with the change). Local news on WZZM currently remain in enhanced definition as WOOD-TV/WOTV became the third and fourth station to switch to HD on October 22, 2011. Newscasts on WWMT-DT2 are still seen in 4:3 standard definition because the subchannel does not air in HD.

After WLAJ's Lansing-based news operation was shut down on September 25, 2009, WWMT began producing a taped five minute news and weather brief weeknights at 11 on that station. Known as ABC 3 News Update, regional and state coverage is presented in the show since WLAJ does not maintain any news personnel at its studios. There are also recorded local weather cut-ins seen on that station weekday mornings during Good Morning America. Other on-air personnel from this station can fill-in on WLAJ as needed. These productions (upgraded to high definition on April 16) can be seen on its website in addition to on-air.

In June 2011, a new primary anchor team was announced. Andy Dominianni (who had previously served as the station's morning anchor in the late 1990s) and Kate Tillotson now anchor the 5,6 and 11 p.m. news on Newschannel 3 with Keith Thompson (weather) and Ed Kengerski (sports). Dominianni also anchors "Newschannel 3 Live at 10 on the CW7" weeknights.

On April 23, 2012, WWMT became the first station in the market to launch a 4:30 a.m. newscast.