Posted on: Wednesday, September 8, 2004

KFVE to launch newscast at nine

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

For news junkies who want their news in prime time, "K5 News at Nine" provides an option.

Television station KFVE will launch the broadcast at 9 p.m. Oct. 18.

Aimed at early risers who go to bed early and a younger core audience who watches The WB network's shows, "K5 News at Nine" will mean new hires for the WB affiliate. They will work alongside news employees at sister station KHNL, the NBC affiliate. Because of the difference in broadcast time, "K5 News at Nine" would not compete with KHNL's broadcasts.

John Fink, general manager of KFVE ("K5 The Home Team") and KHNL ("News 8") said the organization will add four news positions, including a 9 p.m. anchor.

"We feel there is a cry out there for earlier news, to wrap out the night earlier than 10 o'clock," Fink said.

A producer, reporter, anchor and editor-photographer will be hired for the K5 staff and will report to news director Sue Levine, who oversees coverage on News 8's newscasts at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.

"K5 News at Nine" will be the only local newscast at 9 p.m.

Before the channel became a WB affiliate, it broadcast a 9 p.m. news program, but that ended in 1996.

The four hires for K5 will enable News 8 to expand its reporting, Fink said, since crews could be in play for any news program, early or late. With the four additional hirings, the news staff for both stations will total 44.

"The new anchor may be hired internally or externally," Fink said. That anchor would normally occupy the K5 desk at 9 p.m. but could report on KHNL newscasts. A weekend anchor, however, could be tapped from the current staff at News 8.

Because K5 also televises University of Hawai'i sports events, there would be adjustments to the 9 p.m. newscasts as needed.

The same newsroom as News 8 will be used, but with a separate look and logo.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.