Nexstar Media Group is changing the name of its cable network WGN America to NewsNation, a major step in converting the channel into a full-time TV news operation. The WGN America name has likely hurt the “NewsNation” launch as viewers do not associate the channel’s name with news programming. (The call letters WGN go back to the station’s original owner, the Chicago Tribune, and are an acronym for “World’s Greatest Newspaper.”) The channel was renamed WGN America in 2014. Albert Ramon, Joe Donlon, Marni Hughes and Rob Nelson on the Chicago-based set of WGN America’s nightly three-hour newscast “NewsNation.” (WGN America)Once WGN America becomes NewsNation, the channel’s prime-time newscast will be renamed “NewsNationPrime,” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern. The other new programs include an hourlong program at 6 p.m. Eastern, “NewsNation: Early Edition” which will be anchored by Nichole Berlie, who currently appears on the weekend edition of “NewsNation.”At 7 p.m. Eastern, “NewsNation” anchor Joe Donlon will move to his own program, “The Donlon Report,” which will focus on newsmaker interviews.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 25, 2021 14:52 UTC