Finally, it's official: The Cincinnati Enquirer/Cincinnati.com and WXIX-TV/Fox19Now.com newsrooms will share "select coverage of local stories, video and photo content" and Fox 19 weather forecasts, the companies announced in a joint statement today.
In May, I broke the news that the Enquirer and Fox 19 were talking about a news partnership.
The first evidence was on May 10, when WXIX-TV reporter Frankie Jupiter did an update on the Rhoden family murders in Pike County and "thanked our partners at the Cincinnati Enquirer."
Just two weeks ago, a news story by Fox 19 breaking news reporter Jennifer Baker, a former Enquirer reporter, was posted on Cincinnati.com, as I noted last week.
The news sharing agreement is effective now, to use Fox 19's favorite word. Expect to see more Fox 19 breaking news reports on Cincinnati.com, and to see Enquirer reporters on Fox 19 morning and evening newscasts.
"The partnership allows both organizations to cover more stories each day, and help keep local readers and viewers better informed," said Steve Hyvonen, Channel 19 news director, in the announcement.
Peter Bhatia, Enquirer editor and vice president, called the deal "a win-win for their audience and ours. It means more news, more often, that will utilize the strengths of both staffs."
In May I pointed out that the deal isn't the first in Enquirer history. The paper shared the Cincinnati.com website with WCPO 15 years ago, and allowed reporter Deb Silverman, then covering Butler County for Channel 9, and a photographer to work in the paper's West Chester Township news office on Cox Road. The bureau reporters would share breaking news information and contacts, but not necessarily stories.
About 10 years ago, Channels 9 and 19 shared a camera covering Hamilton County court arraignments.
Through the years, TV stations have partnered with each other, radio stations and Cox's Hamilton and Middletown newspapers printed by the Dayton Daily News. When Channels 19 and 5 contracted with WLW-AM/WEBN-FM to provide weather reports and telecast the Riverfest fireworks, the TV stations sometimes provided news audio to WLW-AM.
WVXU-FM currently has an agreement with WCPO-TV. It allows the radio station to use Channel 9's weather and news feed on WVXU.org and WGUC.org, and some TV sound in radio newscasts. WVXU-FM and WGUC-FM broadcast from Channel 9's tower in Walnut Hills.
Here's the announcement:
The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com and FOX19NOW
Announced Content Partnership
CINCINNATI, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2016 – The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com Editor, PeterBhatia and FOX 19 NOW Vice President and General Manager, Debbie Bush, today announced the formation of a news-sharing partnership between the two organizations. As a result of the agreement, the FOX19 NOW and Cincinnati Enquirer newsrooms will begin sharing select coverage of local stories, video and photo content and FIRST ALERT WEATHER forecasts.
According to Bush, "This relationship not only strengthens our respective newsrooms, it gives people around the Tri-State news coverage with greater depth and detail. At the end of the day, we will better serve our viewers and The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com readers because of this sharing agreement.
FOX19 NOW News Director Steve Hyvonen added, "The FOX19 NOW and The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com partnership will benefit news viewers, digital consumers, and newspaper readers throughout the Tri-State. The partnership allows both organizations to cover more stories each day, and help keep local readers and viewers better informed."
The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com and FOX19 NOW partnership takes advantage of both operations' strengths, and builds upon their strong brands, established through years of service to Tri-State news consumers.
Enquirer Editor, Peter Bhatia stated, "We are pleased to join with FOX19 NOW. It's a win-win for their audience and ours. It means more news, more often, that will utilize the strengths of both staffs."
The partnership goes into effect immediately.
