Allbritton to Launch Local News Website

[jsteele]

Allbritton Communications who owns WJLA (Channel 7 in DC), News Channel 8, and Politico just announced that they will be launching a local news website. With a staff of 50 people, they will cover local entertainment, local sports, commuting, local development, and local politics. This site will compete with the Washington Post's local coverage, the Washington City Paper, and the Washington Examiner. They have hired Jim Brady who previously headed the Post's online effort to lead the new company.

I'd be interested to hear what others think about this venture. Is there a need, room in the market?

Personally, I think it is long overdue. The Post has missed opportunity after opportunity. The Washington City Paper seems to be making headway, slowly, but is bogged down in corporate ownership issues. The Examiner? Does anyone read the Examiner? DC really needs hardcore local news coverage.

[Anonymous]

I like the idea. I have been frustrated with the Washington Post's online local section for some time. I know they did some work on it recently, but it still annoys me.

And although I like reading City Paper from time to time, it really is more of an "alternative" source, not a head-to-head competitor to Washington Post.

[Anonymous]

Here is a perfect example of why Washington Post's local section is such a pain. I should be able to easily see the progress of the races in Va's House of Delegates at 11 PM. After 15 minutes of searching, I finally found one text article containing some results but not the races I care about.

I went to google news and had my answer in 30 seconds.