KESQ, KPSP Combine Resources To Form TV Alliance

KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP Local 2 News are no longer competitors.

News staffers from both stations are now working together in one newsroom.

It was a drastic change announced at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to employees at both stations, and it was a change not many were expecting.

By noon, more than 30 employees at KPSP in Thousand Palms had been let go from their positions, and those who remained were rushed to a human resources meeting at KESQ in Palm Desert.

Soon afterward, the KPSP anchor, weather, reporting and photography teams stepped foot into what was once enemy territory: the KESQ News Channel 3 newsroom.

Snapshots captured moments, such as KPSP anchor Brooke Beare chatting with KESQ anchor Karen Devine; KPSP Chief Meteorologist Patrick Evans checking out the forecast maps with KESQ Chief Meteorologist Ginger Jeffries; Chris Long, KPSP’s evening anchor, was seated in the newsroom next to friend and one-time rival John White, KESQ’s evening anchor.

Combining the resources of the two newsrooms can only enhance news coverage for viewers in the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley areas, said KESQ General Manager Mike Stutz.

“I am really encouraged. I now have the two best news organizations in this market,” he said.

But keeping the brands separate will be just as important as the news each station delivers each day, Stutz said.

While both stations will share resources to cover certain stories, each station will also continue to present content that won’t be seen on the other station.

This idea is a win-win, as far as Local 2 News Anchor Brooke Beare is concerned.

“You’re going to see the best from both stations,” she said. “It’s really an idea that is outside the box, but it’s an idea that we can hopefuly get every aspect of news covered.”

From the moment KPSP launched over Labor Day Weekend, 2002, local owner Jackie Lee Houston made sure the station was actively involved in the community.

This is something is that didn’t go un-noticed by KESQ management.

“We do want to keep Mrs. Houstons legacy alive and build on the work that CBS has already done so well,” Stutz said.

due to the merger..this is how the weekday news broadcast schedule..now looks…

from 5 to seven in the morning.. It s newschannel 3 and local two news..

at noon, newschannel 3…

at 5 pm…newschannel 3… at 5:30 …local two news –while world news tonight will be broadcast on channel 3……

at 6pm…neswschannel 3..while channel two will air the cbs evening news..

at 6;30 .its back to local two news..while aty 6;45 patrick evans will host eye on the desert..

at 10 pm…local two news will air on fox 11… And be rebroadcast on channel 2 at 11 pm..

and at 11pm..newschannel 3 …

it’s a lot to digest…the merger will no doubt change the landscape of local news coverage.. In; i think its… Out; something really strong for the community..}