KDSM FOX 17 Shifts 9 p.m. Newscast from WHO to KCCI
Des Moines television viewers will notice a significant change in local late-night news programming. As of January 1, KDSM FOX 17 has transitioned its 9 p.m. newscast production from WHO to KCCI. This partnership aims to provide viewers with a trusted local news experience.
KDSM FOX 17 and KCCI Partnership
KCCI announced their collaboration with KDSM FOX 17 on January 9, 2023. KDSM FOX 17 General Manager Joseph Tracy emphasized the benefits of this partnership. “Our collaboration with KCCI enables us to deliver a robust local newscast anchored by journalists our audience knows and trusts,” he stated.
This newscast will replace the previous arrangement with WHO 13, which had been in effect since KDSM removed its own news department in September 2008. KCCI’s Creative Services Director, Kristen Joyal, noted that KCCI would continue to provide the 9 p.m. newscast on its MeTV sub-channel, a service it has offered since 2016.
Lead Anchors for the Newscast
The lead anchors for the KDSM FOX 17 9 p.m. newscast are Ben Kaplan and seasoned anchor Stacey Horst. Joyal highlighted the continuity of reporting, assuring viewers that the same trusted reporters and anchors from KCCI 8 News will present the newscast on both KDSM and MeTV. This move is designed to accommodate the busy lifestyles of Central Iowans by expanding access to essential community news.
Changes for WHO 13 News
With the transition of the 9 p.m. slot, WHO 13 News has launched a new newscast on its WHO 13 Plus app and WHO13.com. This broadcast is also accessible over the air on Iowa’s Weather Channel, WHO 13.4. According to WHO 13 News Director Rod Peterson, the new format will feature the same news, weather, and sports content but will introduce “a few new twists” to enhance viewer experience.
Petersen expressed the importance of WHO 13’s late-night newscast. “It has long been an essential part of Central Iowa’s information landscape,” he emphasized, noting the initiative to make the news more accessible to viewers beyond traditional broadcast areas.
Looking Ahead
- KDSM FOX 17’s newscast now produced by KCCI
- Transition executed on January 1, 2023
- New lead anchors: Ben Kaplan and Stacey Horst
- WHO 13 offers news via WHO 13 Plus app and WHO13.com
- WHO’s newscast features enhancements for viewer experience
This reshaping of late-night news in Des Moines reflects evolving viewer preferences and a commitment to providing relevant and timely information to the community.
