In June 2015, KNXV started producing digital content as the centerpiece of newsroom operations. Doing so required sweeping changes in workflow, job descriptions and traditional broadcast journalism mindset. That included merging the station’s traditional news desk and digital staff, hiring digital journalists to cover core beats, dedicating half of newsroom resources to producing cross-platform content and leveraging a range of platforms including Facebook Live.
Within the first year, the initiative paid off in ratings and community engagement, meaning a greater breadth of news across multiple platforms is reaching a greater number of consumers. Double-digit growth ratings bolstered afternoon, evening and late-night newscasts to either number one or number two in the market. In-market traffic on the station’s website, abc15.com, grew 77 percent.