Why no local news may be good news for regional TV networks

By James Joyce
Updated February 20 2017 - 5:14pm, first published 3:10pm
Billionaire owner of WIN Television Bruce Gordon, right, catches up at WIN's Wollongong HQ with his veteran news presenter Geoff Phillips.  Photo: Sylvia Liber
Billionaire owner of WIN Television Bruce Gordon, right, catches up at WIN's Wollongong HQ with his veteran news presenter Geoff Phillips. Photo: Sylvia Liber
The roll-out of 15 regional bulletins of Nine News began with a Canberra edition on February 6. Vanessa O'Hanlon anchors the program from Nine's Sydney studios.
The roll-out of 15 regional bulletins of Nine News began with a Canberra edition on February 6. Vanessa O'Hanlon anchors the program from Nine's Sydney studios.
Veteran anchorman Geoff Phillips reads the ACT and NSW bulletins of the all-local half-hour WIN News.  Photo: Facebook/WIN News Canberra
Veteran anchorman Geoff Phillips reads the ACT and NSW bulletins of the all-local half-hour WIN News. Photo: Facebook/WIN News Canberra
Madelaine Collignon and Kenny Heatley, new presenters of Prime7's five local news bulletins in regional NSW.
Madelaine Collignon and Kenny Heatley, new presenters of Prime7's five local news bulletins in regional NSW.
Vanessa O'Hanlon reads the localised versions of Nine News for regional NSW and the ACT. Photo: Developing Agents
Vanessa O'Hanlon reads the localised versions of Nine News for regional NSW and the ACT. Photo: Developing Agents
Newsreader Mark Ferguson presents Seven News in Sydney.
Newsreader Mark Ferguson presents Seven News in Sydney.

As WIN, Prime and Southern Cross Austereo begin a three-way battle for TV news viewers in the central west of NSW, ratings results in Wollongong and Canberra suggest that no local news may actually be good news for the regional broadcasters.

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