The news organization associated with the main NPR spoken word-focused member station serving Southern California is teaming up with CBS News & Stations‘ two Los Angeles broadcast TV stations, forging a partnership designed to “significantly enhance local news coverage” for consumers.
Under the 24-month agreement, LAist will have access to audio from live newscasts airing on KCAL-9 and KCBS-2, as well as the digital streaming for CBS Los Angeles and all covered press conferences.
With “LAist” (based at KPCC-FM in Pasadena) in May 2024 introducing a voluntary buyout program aimed at reducing its workforce while attempting to avoid layoffs, in an attempt to reduce the effects of a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, the partnership could send a message that those fiscal challenges are hardly resolved, as KCAL-9 and KCBS-2 content will be airing on KPCC. However, the deal is hardly one-sided, as LAist will also provide access to its reporters as guests on CBS Los Angeles, “providing more expert voices on expert voices on stories that matter to Angelenos.”
Additionally, the partnership allows both media organizations to republish content on its respective digital platforms.
For KPCC and parent Southern California Public Radio, an American Public Media Group entity, “The partnership allows LAist to expand its coverage of essential stories across Los Angeles and Orange County.” LAist VP/Programming Jeff Rowe explained, “LAist was looking for a television partner to help expand our news coverage, and using audio from the extensive daily local news programming of KCBS/KCAL news made this an ideal partnership for us, especially given its exceptional newsroom. We are embarking on an exciting period for our organization and believe our partnership with CBS Los Angeles will mutually enhance our reach and broaden our impact.”
CBS Los Angeles News Director Matt Goldberg added, “Partnering with LAist allows us to combine our strengths and provide comprehensive and impactful local news coverage for Southern California. We are committed to delivering essential news and context to the communities we serve, and we know LAist shares this same goal.”
“LAist” shares the NPR audience in Southern California with tastemaker music-oriented KCRW, based at Santa Monica College, and competes in the spoken word space against Audacy Inc.’s KNX and iHeartMedia’s KFI (which at the end of 2024 dismantled its local news team amid budget belt-tightening nationwide).
