TV Broadcasters add Digital Channels

Research from SNL Kagan shows and increase of 80% in the number of digital TV offerings available from local TV broadcasters.  Included in the count are HD channels, multicast channels, and mobile DTV channels.  The research showed that by the end of 2011, there were 4552 digital channels being delivered by the 1726 full-power local TV broadcast stations.
  Most of the increase comes from multicasting (stations can broadcast multiple channels as long as they fit within their assigned channel's bandwidth).  The largest segment of these channels consist of some of the new channels being marketed as multicast networks, like Bounce TV, Live Well, AntennaTV, among others.  Spanish-language multicast channels are a second big segment of the growth of added channels, doubling in the last year.  A few stations are actually multiplexing two HD channels.
  The report gives the TV broadcast industry some support in its efforts challenging proposed broadcast spectrum takeback.  Most of the recent proposals call for about 40% of the remaining TV spectrum to be carved out and returned for auction to alternative users (much has already been returned to the FCC for other uses).  Under those proposals, either as many as a 15-20% of existing stations would be silenced, or channel space would need to be reduced to keep most on-air.  And in that case, stations would lose the ability to carry as many digital channels.

Source - Broadcasters Boost Digital Offerings By 80%,  Broadcasting & Cable

NBC O&Os Launch Diversity Programs for Newsrooms

The NBC Owned Television Stations division has started two programs designed to attract and train young journalists "from diverse backgrounds."
Their News Associates program hired 10 recent college grads for its 10 stations, providing the new hires with a special orientation and pairing each trainee with a senior level mentor.  The Reporter Training program will select 4 young journalists (1 per station in 4 markets) this fall, for the program's January start.  The goal is to "attract television or digital journalists early in their careers, or experienced print journalists interested in transitioning to television as on-air reporters." The programs are described as "developing and investing young journalists from diverse backgrounds who we hope will one day be news room managers and great reporters."
Its a fairly small effort, and something they probably be doing for all of their hires, not only those labelled as contributing to "diversity."  Helping all to succeed, not just favored groups, is the real path to diversity and success.

Source - NBC Owned Stations Launch Diversity Programs in Newsrooms,  Broadcasting & Cable