Once competitors, TV stations and newspapers ally

Newspapers and TV stations that used to compete fiercely in the same market are increasingly forming partnerships and cross-promotions, the Chicago Tribune observed Tuesday, as Chicago TV station WMAQ and the Daily Herald, based in suburban Arlington Heights, launched one of the latest news alliances. Under the deal, stories due to run in the next day’s Herald are being featured on the TV station’s evening newscast, in return for plugs for the television newscasts in the Herald. The newspaper’s managing editor, Colin O’Donnell, told the Tribune: “Throughout the country, it’s being done all over the place. … Budgets are tight and staffing can only go so far, and I think this benefits both the TV station and the newspaper.” (The Tribune itself has a similar deal with WGN-TV and the Sun-Times, with WBBM-TV.)