"We are very excited about wtkr.com's 'News At Your Desk' daily webcast," stated Gary Gannaway, Chairman and CEO of WorldNow. "It's the perfect example of how our flexible technology solution can empower television stations to become local content leaders across emerging technology platforms."
"We've seen television stations stream their on-air newscasts to the Internet," comments Sandra Yost, President and General Manager for WTKR, "but Internet users demand more of news than just a recycled 30 minute newscast." Wtkr.com produces the webcasts using the newsgathering resources of NewsChannel 3's Norfolk and Virginia Beach newsrooms. By utilizing WorldNow's revolutionary technology, wtkr.com is able to upload video webcasts and stories to the site as soon as news occurs. "This week alone, breaking news video and information appeared on wtkr.com before anywhere else," says Yost. "Children were hurt in multiple school bus crashes and parents needed to know right away. We had the information online in seconds -- just as soon as on-air anchors were breaking into programming with the report. Because we responded instantly, both wtkr.com and NewsChannel 3 beat our competition with the story by more than half an hour."
The WorldNow-powered site is structured so that the webcast appears as a window with VCR-like controls at the top of every page on wtkr.com. When selected, the webcast continues to play even as a user surfs through additional information. The video can also be selected in several sizes, as the webcast anchor explains in a short introduction found on the homepage.
At the wtkr.com newsroom the webcast is a continuous hub of activity: reporters, photographers, editors and writers all prepare news specifically for the web. WTKR has taken the unique approach of training almost every member of its news organization as a contributor to the website, changing the very nature of its business. "As recently as a year ago, we thought of ourselves as a television news station, but today we are simply a news organization, period," says Yost. She attributes much of that journalism-centric attitude to WTKR's ownership by The New York Times Company. "News is our business, the specific medium we use will continue to change."
Wtkr.com has been online for several years, but recently relaunched with webcasts and other features after partnering with WorldNow, the leading solution service provider to the local broadcast marketplace. WorldNow's products enable wtkr.com to easily update their site while also extending their brand to the Internet. Site features of interest to viewers include eAlerts, which are daily email messages customized to viewer interests and JobNet 3, an online job listings database from local and national employers. Direct contact information to WTKR's anchors and reporters, wtkr.com's webcasters and two weather features are additional site highlights. Wtkr.com also utilizes the WorldNow technology in order to make cross promotions more prevalent on their Web site.
About NewsChannel 3 WTKR
NewsChannel 3 WTKR and wtkr.com are part of The New York Times Broadcast Group. NewsChannel 3, a CBS affiliated television station, broadcasts more than six hours of live, local news each weekday to Hampton Roads Virginia and North Carolina. NewsChannel 3 is celebrating its 50th year on the air this year; wtkr.com has been online since 1997 at http://www.wtkr.com.
About WorldNow
WorldNow is the leading provider of Internet technology and consulting services to the local broadcast marketplace. Through its exclusive partnerships with local television stations, WorldNow is building the largest network of news and information destinations in the world. WorldNow builds and supports an integrated, cost-effective software solution that diminishes the technological barriers to entry, allowing broadcasters to establish superior Internet businesses. WorldNow's singular vision is to enable local broadcasters to easily deliver targeted, branded information to anyone, anywhere, anytime. More information is available at http://www.worldnow.com
About The New York Times
The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) is a diversified media company including newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, and electronic information and publishing. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.
The Company, which had 1999 revenues of $3.1 billion, publishes The New York Times, The Boston Globe and 18 other newspapers; publishes four magazines, including Golf Digest; operates eight network-affiliated television stations and owns two New York City radio stations. It also operates news, photo and graphics services as well as news and feature syndicates. A division of the Company, New York Times Digital, operates Internet properties such as NYTimes.com, Boston.com and NYToday.com. The Company holds interests in one newsprint mill, one super calendered paper mill and the International Herald Tribune S.A.S. More information is available at http://www.nytco.com.
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