HUTCHINSON, Kan. — BW Radio will soon transition its national news provider, replacing long-time partner CBS Radio News with Fox News Radio programming beginning in mid-May.
According to KWBW Program Director Rob Dreher, the change comes after the station was notified by CBS Radio News that it will discontinue its radio news service as part of a broader restructuring effort. The move includes a reported 6% reduction in staff and will impact approximately 700 affiliated stations nationwide, including KWBW.
CBS Radio News has a long history in broadcast journalism, dating back to its launch in September 1927.
“This marks the end of an era in many ways,” Dreher said, noting the network’s nearly century-long presence on the air.
BW Radio has since secured a new agreement with Fox News Radio and will begin carrying its programming on Monday, May 18—several days ahead of CBS’s official shutdown date of May 22.
Under the new arrangement, listeners can expect an expanded national news segment. Dreher said Fox News Radio will provide four minutes of news at the top of most hours, compared to the three-minute newscasts previously offered by CBS.
The transition also fulfills a long-standing goal for the station.
“We’ve tried to acquire Fox News in the past, but because of some in-market conflicts, it wasn’t possible until now,” Dreher said. “If I had a $10 bill for every time I received a phone call or email asking why we don’t carry Fox, I would have been able to make a pretty sizable donation to a local charity.”
Dreher said the station is looking forward to bringing the new service to its audience.
“We’re thrilled to bring Fox News to our listeners starting May 18, right here on BW Radio.”