More Channel 19 News

Channel 19 managers are talking about expanding news programming, but they're not saying when or where just yet.

Recently there has been talk at Channel 19 of launching a 6:30 p.m. newscast to catch commuters arriving home too late for the local 5-6:30 p.m. news blocks.

News director Steve Ackermann won't confirm – or talk specifics – for competitive reasons. But he says that Channel 19 has been looking for ways to expand local news since he was hired nearly two years ago.

"We're always looking for places to add news to our schedule, but we're not ready to make a move right now," Ackermann says.

Since Channel 19 started local news on Oct. 18, 1993, the station has dropped its midnight news and added the weekday 5-9 a.m. show. Could another newscast debut sometime next year?

"Yes, it could – but that's no different from the answer I would have given you a year ago. We're always looking for opportunities. We're not looking at one time period. I want to do it when it makes sense."

If Channel 19 expands news programming, you'll hear lots about it.

"We need advertisers to know about it. We need the audience to know about it. We won't do it quietly," he says.

So here’s my question: If a TV station (any station) added a newscast to any time period, or any day, when and where would be most convenient to your lifestyle? 6:30 p.m. weekdays? Sometime else? Tell me what works for you.