Nexstar Broadcasting Group has confirmed that KSFX-TV Springfield, MO will go independent next month as its Fox affiliation moves to a rival station. It will also get new call letters to bury the identity of its former network.
As of September 1st the station will become KOZL-TV Ozarks Local. The company is already declaring that it will be the “market leader for locally originated news, lifestyle, sports, weather and entertainment programming,” adding more local newscasts. “In addition, Ozarks Local will bring viewers exciting and original feature-oriented weekly programming along with new syndicated and prime-time programming,” Nexstar declared.
”This is a very exciting time for our community and KOZL-TV, as launching Ozarks Local reflects our deep commitment to the community and focus on addressing the interests of our audiences in the Ozarks area,” said VP/GM Mark Gordon. “Building upon the cornerstone of our market leading, hour-long 9:00 pm Prime Time newscast and our market leading entertainment programming, we will be more than doubling our locally-produced programming by this fall. Our market leading news content will be complemented by a range of new local feature original productions, hit prime time shows, blockbuster movies and other special features – all expanding upon the service we have provided to our viewers for the past 43 years.”
Here is the station’s news, programming and primetime line-up:
Morning news viewers will now get an additional helping of news and information, as OZARKS LOCAL announces the expansion of its weekday morning news by an additional hour commencing September 1st and OZARKS LOCAL: The Morning Rush will be the only live, local morning newscast airing 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. In addition to the market leading, hour-long primetime newscast at 9 p.m. every night of the week, OZARKS LOCAL will be adding a half hour news cast Sundays at 6 p.m. followed up with the Ozarks only dedicated weekly local business show, Ozarks Local Business Journal, to air each and every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. starting this October.
Debuting on Tuesday, September 6th, OZARKS LOCAL will launch the Ozarks first-ever afternoon lifestyle program titled OZARKS LOCAL LIVE AT 4. This innovative new program will air weekdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and feature engaging stories of interest to the local community on health, diet, fashion, family, money and local and national entertainment, with an exciting presentation unlike anything viewers have experienced before in local television.
The expansion of local programming continues to the weekend, as OZARKS LOCAL will introduce two exclusive live, half-hour local sports shows. Ozarks Sports Saturday and Ozarks Sports Sunday will cover everything the region has to offer in sports and air live each Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 p.m. And, in addition to the markets’ only local sports half hour programs on Saturday and Sunday, Collegiate Sports programming will also be added to the OZARKS LOCAL lineup as they become home to 37 SEC Basketball games including the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament.
September 1st will also mark the debut of OZARKS LOCAL exciting new weekday primetime line-up beginning with Inside Edition at 7:00 p.m. followed by The Insider at 7:30 p.m. Viewers can tune in Monday through Fridays at 8:00 p.m. for the top rated comedy series My Name is Earl and at 8:30pm for Everybody Loves Raymond. On Sundays starting September 4th at 7 p.m., OZARKS LOCAL will present OZARKS LOCAL Family Movie Night with marquee titles such as A River Runs Through It with Brad Pitt, Green Mile with Tom Hanks, and Under Suspicion with Gene Hackman.
Gordon noted, “OZARKS LOCAL daily primetime schedule leads with terrific newsmagazine programming and the latest celebrity, pop culture, and entertainment insights. Our market leading exclusive prime time newscast makes it easy to stay informed of the day’s latest developments, at a time that has proven to be convenient for our viewers.”
In October, viewers will see expansion to the top-notch, locally-produced OZARKS LOCAL programming with the debut of an exclusive local outdoor sports and recreation program centered around the Ozarks region and a one-of-a-kind, high-profile local variety program in Prime Time, both airing on Saturday evenings.
Gordon noted, “Launching OZARKS LOCAL is all about furthering our service to our local community and advertising partners. Our expanded local news and information programming will provide viewers with additional compelling local programming and our clients with unparalleled marketing solutions. This is, without question, the most exciting announcement in the history of media in the Ozarks. Building on the tradition of leadership enjoyed by the station over the last forty three years to complement our highly successful Ozarksfirst.com, mobile platforms and our partnership with KOLR10, the CBS affiliate in the Ozarks, our mission with OZARKS LOCAL clearly reflects our commitment to expansion and addition of quality programming and underscores our promise to our community to address the evolving dynamics of local viewer interests and delivering a results-driven platform for advertisers.”
The new OZARKS LOCAL will continue to be available on the same cable, satellite and over the air channels as today.
