During times of crisis, local TV stations have always been on the front lines providing lifesaving news and information. Stations across the country are illustrating their continued commitment to their communities, even in the midst of managing their own difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many are adding additional news coverage to their daily programming to keep communities informed with trusted, reliable information and breaking news as the crisis unfolds. Some are helping to feed the hungry and replenish food banks. And still others are setting up dedicated educational programming to assist students and their parents who’ve had to bring the classroom into their homes.
Here are a few TV stations we applaud for going above and beyond to support their communities:
ABC affiliate WMTW in Portland, Maine, put together a COVID-19 resource guide that includes messages from local businesses, advice on tax preparation, a job board, stay-at-home and fitness activities and home improvement advice.
Fox affiliate WXIX in Cincinnati, Ohio, started a virtual food drive on April 10 to benefit the Freestore Foodbank to help area families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Heart of Cincinnati Virtual Food Drive,” runs until May 10.
CBS/CW affiliate WKYT-TV in Lexington, Ky., aired a one-hour special, “Coronavirus: A Community Conversation,” on March 16 as part of the station’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. The following day, WKYT aired a one-on-one special interview with Gov. Andy Beshear about steps being taken to protect Kentuckians. The special featured medical experts, politicians and community leaders who answered questions regarding the impact of COVID-19.
ABC affiliate KETV in Omaha, Neb., raised $118,000 for Food Bank of the Heartland on April 1 as a part of their virtual fundraising campaign, “Giving Wednesday.” Viewers were encouraged to donate by phone, through the nonprofit’s website or by a Facebook fundraiser.
CW affiliate WCIU-TV in Chicago broadcast a half-hour special on April 5 to support local businesses and highlight the city’s takeout food scene during the COVID-19 shutdowns. “Chicago Food to Go” featured social media videos of local comedians, radio personalities and station viewers practicing social distancing while getting takeout and delivery. Local restaurants also used the time to highlight their best and most popular menu items.
NBC affiliate KXAN-TV in Austin partnered with other local media outlets on April 3 to raise over $3.5 million for “All Together ATX,” a relief fund created to assist those suffering due to COVID-19 in central Texas.
NBC affiliate KVLY-TV in Fargo, N.D., began providing weather and science-focused classes in late March related to the COVID-19 school shutdowns. Taught by the station’s meteorologist, Hutch Johnson, each lesson covers a different topic related to meteorology.
Oklahoma broadcasters prepared virtual classrooms on March 30 to aid students now engaged in fully distance learning due to COVID-19. The programming, which serves children from in all grades, is available on PBS affiliate OETA-TV and will be broadcast on 17 additional stations across the state.
NBC affiliate WMC-TV in Memphis has partnered with Shelby County Schools (SCS) to offer broadcast programming and accompanying digital resources to support continued at-home learning and provide greater access to educational resources. SCS is Tennessee’s largest public school district and among the 25 largest public-school districts in the United States.
PBS and PBS’s WGBH-TV in Boston have joined together to broadcast a daily five-hour learning service starting on March 30. The programming offers science, history and language arts lessons for students in grades six to 12.
As communities practice social distancing, working together to address local issues has never been more important. We salute those who are working around the clock to provide critical news and information to keep our communities safe and connected.
As a reminder, if you use an antenna to access free, local TV channels, make sure you stay informed of TV rescan dates in your community. Sign up for text and email alerts to be notified when a TV rescan is required. By law, more than 1,000 TV stations are changing frequencies to make room for more wireless services, and when those transitions occur, antenna TV viewers must rescan their TVs to continue receiving their channels.
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