WLEX-TV to end 4 p.m. newscast on Friday

WLEX-TV (Channel 18) is ending its 4 p.m. newscast Friday, inserting in its place the syndicated entertainment program “City Line.”

WLEX debuted the 4 p.m. news in late 2010. Michael Berk was anchor.

“City Line” has segments on lifestyle and events, and has guests. “Inside Edition” will continue in its 4:30 slot.

The station’s first evening broadcast will begin at 5 p.m., followed by 5:30 and 6 p.m. newscasts with Kevin Christopher and Nancy Cox, and “NBC Nightly News” at 6:30 p.m. A 7 p.m. newscast is then followed by “Hey Kentucky” with Matt Jones.

“There’s just a realization that there’s a lot of newscasts that are on in this market, and we want to put our resources into the newscasts we want, and more resources into our digital operation,” station manager Pat Dalbey said.

Local TV watchers “have got plenty of choices,” Dalbey said. “We’re going to make sure that what they watch on us is the best we can make it.”

News director Bruce Carter said the 12:30 p.m. show “Live with Lee & Hayley,” which began in July with morning field anchor Lee Cruse and “News at Sunrise” anchor Hayley Harmon, is doing well. No official ratings have yet been received. The show follows the noon news.

Cruse also has a daily radio show from 10 a.m. to noon on WVLK radio.

This story was originally published September 6, 2017 at 4:14 PM with the headline "WLEX-TV to end 4 p.m. newscast on Friday."