If you’re tired of hearing nothing but more bad news and worry when you turn on the television, a new afternoon show produced by The E.W. Scripps Co. will give you something to feel good about. “Afternoon Focus” debuted on some of the company’s local stations on Sept. 12, and viewers are loving it.
What Is ‘Afternoon Focus?’
The new daily program features stories of “hope, resilience and innovation,” Scripps said in a press release. In a collaboration between Scripps Local Media and Scripps Networks divisions, producers of the show curate stories from across Scripps and develop original content that celebrates people who positively affect the communities where they live.
Julie Grant, an anchor for Court TV, and Rob Nelson, from Newsy’s Morning Rush, host the show. Nelson shared a photo of himself and Grant on Facebook, touching on the emphasis of the new program.
“Our new show, produced by the E.W. Scripps company, is dedicated to highlighting all of the good people, good stories and good moments that often get lost or forgotten in the midst of today’s heavy and relentless news cycle,” Nelson wrote in the post. “This show is all about recognizing the countless silver linings in everyday life and the lighter side of the news. It’ll be 30 minutes each weekday afternoon to just sit back, relax and smile. We hope many viewers will come along for the ride for a little dose of hope in the afternoons.”
Scripps reporters also appear on the program, which Lorena Ruiz executive produces.
“This new program will bring together the great work being done by our reporters from across the country and company, and it will bring those stories that people want to hear more about into one place,” Sean McLaughlin, vice president of news for the Scripps Local Media division, said in the press release.
Recent episodes have included a visit to a pediatric burn unit by an NFL player who also has burn scars, and a son who risked it all to make sure his dad was safe after Hurricane Ian. You can catch a glimpse of the good vibes in this clip.
How To Watch
If you’re itching for a daily dose of uplifting news, you won’t find it on any streaming platform. Instead, the show is available on local over-the-air broadcast channels in the following 16 Scripps markets:
- Bakersfield, California – KERO at 4 p.m.
- Boise, Idaho – KIVI at 3 p.m.
- Corpus Christi, Texas – KZTV at 4:30 p.m.
- Denver, Colorado – KMGH at 3:30 p.m.
- Green Bay, Wisconsin – WGBA at 4:30 p.m.
- Lafayette, Louisiana – KATC at 4 p.m.
- Miami, Florida – WSFL at 6 p.m.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin – WTMJ at 3:30 p.m.
- Omaha, Nebraska – KMTV at 4:30 p.m.
- Phoenix, Arizona – KNXV at 3 p.m. (starting November 14)
- Santa Barbara, California – KSBY at 4:30 p.m.
- Tallahassee, Florida –WTXL at 3 p.m.
- Tucson, Arizona – KGUN at 3:30 p.m.
- Tulsa, Oklahoma – KJRH at 4:30 p.m.
- Twin Falls, Idaho – KSAW at 3 p.m.
- West Palm Beach, Florida – WPTV at 3 p.m.
In some markets, it is replacing the canceled syndicated talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Catch “Afternoon Focus” every weekday between 3 and 4:30 p.m., depending on the market. You can also catch it on Newsy, Scripps’ news network, which is available free through digital antennas, streaming services, smart TVs, video and audio platforms (like YouTube, Tubi, and Alexa), and on mobile phones. Check here for a list.
