KFVS drops 9 p.m. news

KFVS12 has dropped its 9 p.m. newscast on The Heartland's CW -- a show that was in production for several years and had lately shifted its focus to covering primarily Southeast Missouri news.

The last episode of Heartland News at 9:00 aired July 29, according to a press release sent out by KFVS12. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" has now taken the 9 p.m. time slot on the KFVS12-owned station, followed by the same newscast that airs on KFVS12 itself at 10 p.m.

The release cited high viewer demand to see Winfrey's syndicated talk show and the difficulty of competing with CBS prime time programming during the 9 p.m. hour (KFVS12 is a CBS affiliate).

In a prepared statement KFVS12 news director Mark Little said the cancellation will give the station more resources for its 10 p.m. newscasts.

"Heartland News at 9:00" was the first local newscast in prime time -- before 10 p.m. -- but had run up against competition in the last year when KBSI began airing its own 9 p.m. newscast, produced under a deal with Paducah's WPSD.

Cape Girardeau-based KBSI's general manager Tom Tipton said his station will continue to produce its newscast, but will no enjoy the benefits of less competition.

"Any time you can lose a competitor it's a great thing," Tipton said.