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Columbia Missourian

Two St. Louis TV stations merge

By The Associated Press
September 17, 2008 | 11:48 a.m. CDT

ST. LOUIS - Two St. Louis television stations plan to combine their newsrooms and share news services.

The agreement between the Fox affiliate, KTVI-TV, and KPLR-TV, which is part of the CW network, was announced Tuesday by the parent companies. Local TV Holdings LLC owns KTVI; Tribune Co. owns KPLR.

Under the agreement, the Fox affiliate will move to KPLR's offices. The combined newsroom will produce staggered news for nine hours a day.

KTVI General Manager Spencer Koch says viewers want local news programs throughout the day, not just morning, early evening and at night.

The parent companies also announced a local marketing agreement for their TV stations in Denver, Fox affiliate KDVR and CW affiliate KWGN. Both stations will operate out of the Fox affiliate's studios.