BALTIMORE, Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair
Broadcast Group (NASDAQ: SBGI) today announced that it has formally
branded its soon-to-be-launched headline news service as "The
National Desk," scheduled to premiere in mid-January 2021. "The National Desk" will
highlight the latest and most pressing news of the day in real time
for viewers across the country and will be available across
Sinclair broadcast, digital and over-the-top platforms.
"The National Desk" aims to provide Sinclair's audience with the
most important national stories, simultaneously providing both
local and national perspectives on the news of the day. "The
National Desk" will hone in on commentary-free content via
Sinclair's network of local broadcast stations, as well as provide
original news programming.
"From the 2020 election, to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the
news has never been more important to Americans on both a national
and local level," said Chris Ripley,
President and CEO of Sinclair. "'The National Desk' will give
audiences the information they need minute-by-minute, offering
coverage in the way it's desired — both accurate and timely. 'The
National Desk' further solidifies Sinclair's role in leading the
nation in local news coverage, and we look forward to its premiere
in 2021."
Sinclair has hired award-winning anchor Jan Jeffcoat as main anchor to lead the
soon-to-be launched news service. Jeffcoat will give audiences
throughout America dynamic news coverage happening in the moment,
reporting on issues including the White House to local town hall
decisions. Through "The National Desk," Jeffcoat will usher in
viewers with by-the-minute updates at the intersection of news and
their community.
"Right now, audiences need news that is both factual and
immediate, as not to miss some of the most important stories of our
time," said Jeffcoat. "'The National Desk' will provide Americans
with the news that they need to know now, and we won't miss a
beat."
Cayle Thompson also joins
Sinclair's "The National Desk" as a live desk anchor, working
alongside Jeffcoat to provide top local and national news coverage
from across the country, reporting live from Sinclair's
Washington, D.C. newsroom.
Airing weekday mornings 6:00 a.m. to 9:00
a.m. ET and MT (5:00 a.m. to 8:00
a.m. CT, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
PT), "The National Desk" will be available to viewers across
Sinclair's CW and MY Network affiliates, as well as on all Sinclair
station websites and STIRR, Sinclair's free, over-the-top streaming
platform. "The National Desk" will also be available on several
Sinclair FOX affiliates.
About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair is a
diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and
news. The Company owns and/or operates 23 regional sports network
brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to 190 television
stations in 88 markets; is a leading local news provider in the
country; owns multiple national networks; and has TV stations
affiliated with all the major broadcast networks. Sinclair's
content is delivered via multiple platforms, including
over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital
platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source
of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.