KATV-TV, Channel 7, of Little Rock has announced that Roby Brock’s “Talk Business & Politics” program will air on the ABC affiliate starting March 2.
According to a news release, the show will air at 9 a.m. Sunday following ABC’s “This Week.” KATV also said Brock will regularly appear as a commentator and analyst in KATV’s newscasts.
“For decades, Arkansans have come to Channel 7 News as their top choice for information on local politics and elections,” General Manager and President Mark Rose said in the release. “We’re so pleased to add Roby Brock’s show and expertise to our political and business coverage. With a critically important and exciting local election season now upon us, the timing couldn’t be better.”
“I’m very excited about this new partnership,” Brock said. “KATV has been the longtime news leader in Arkansas and our brand of in-depth and balanced business and political reporting will be greatly enhanced by the strength of the Channel 7 news team.”
Brock told Arkansas Business on Monday that his financial agreement with KATV was “confidential.” The new show, however, comes early in an election year that is expected to be an advertising bonanza for television stations in Arkansas because of hotly contested statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate.
KATV is owned by Allbritton Communications Co. of Arlington, Va. It is among the stable of ABC affiliates Allbritton is selling to Sinclair Broadcast Group of Hunt Valley, Md. The deal, announced last year, is awaiting regulatory approval.
In moving to the ABC affiliate, Brock leaves two shows on competing networks, both controlled by Nexstar Broadcasting of Irving, Texas.
Brock’s half-hour “Talk Business” show had aired on Little Rock Fox affiliate, KLRT-TV, Channel 16, since 2000. In an email, Brock said his show aired on KLRT for the last time on Sunday.
Another show aired on KLRT’s sister station, NBC affiliate KARK-TV, Channel 4. “Capitol View,” which airs Sunday mornings before NBC’s “Meet the Press,” launched in April 2013. KARK/KLRT political reporter David Goins co-hosted the show with Brock.
On Monday, KARK News Director Austin Kellerman said “Capitol View” will continue with Goins as host.
At KATV, Brock will appear on “Talk Business & Politics” along with KATV anchor Scott Inman and reporter Janelle Lilley.
Brock is also dealing with changes to his six-times-a-year business magazine. Two weeks ago, he said he and his publishing partner since 2012, Vicki Vowell, had parted ways. Brock said he would continue to publish the magazine on his own.
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