KTXS News at 6:00 (A-Block), 3/31/2025 (New Anchorless Format)

JOIN BROADCAST PLAZA TODAY, DISCORD'S MEDIA DISCUSSION COMMUNITY — http://bit.ly/S31MA A-block from the 6pm newscast on Sinclair's ABC affiliate in Abilene, Texas, recorded on Monday, March 31, 2025. About a month ago, KTXS shifted to this new anchorless format that is also used by KVII in Amarillo, NTV in Nebraska, and WKEF in Dayton. Unlike the others, mass layoffs didn't accompany this one. The main anchor became the news director, and the other anchors have transferred to other stations in the company, with the rest of their personnel resources being devoted to more reporters. The station has six MMJs listed on their website, which is actually a lot for a station in this sized market in 2025. The station maintains their meteorologists in the mornings and at night. With the move to this format, there is also no longer a sports department (I don't understand what these companies have against sports since it's still great, relevant local content). However, sports stories are still covered in a limited capacity without dedicated sports anchors/reporters. The ND still voices most of the newscast off-camera when there is not a reporter package. The reporters now introduce their own packages as well. I appreciate the station being able to attract and retain a good-sized staff of reporters but I'm not sure if this is the right format to do it in. Most of this isn't live, not even the first weather segment (though I believe the full weather segment later in the show was). It's clearly meant to keep costs down (less anchors to pay plus no need to maintain a set anymore) while still providing some sort of local news product. It's not the worst thing but I would much rather watch a more traditional product, which their competition still provides. Graphics are Sinclair's standard TABS package, music is the company's standard music package from Warner Chappell Production Music, and voiceover is Mike Martindale. Weather is provided by chief meteorologist Mark Rowlett (now the longest-tenured on-air talent at the station). Includes reports from Tori Garcia and Shelby Byrd. ©2025 Sinclair Broadcast Group and KTXS-TV, no copyright infringement intended. For educational and historical purposes only. We do not profit off of this video. open, news open, legal ID, station ID, ident, logo, sting, rejoin, tease, promo, promotion, bump, A-block