Hawaii News Now (HNN) is the collective news operation for three television stations serving the state of Hawaii: KGMB (CBS affiliate), KHNL (NBC affiliate), and KFVE (MyNetworkTV affiliate). Based in Honolulu, HNN is owned by Gray Television and is the dominant local news provider across the Hawaiian Islands, delivering local news, weather, sports, and community information through various broadcasts and digital platforms.
History
The origins of Hawaii News Now trace back to a shared services agreement (SSA) formed in 2009 between KGMB, then owned by HITV, and KHNL and KFVE, both owned by Raycom Media. Prior to this, KGMB and KHNL/KFVE operated separate news departments, often in direct competition. The SSA led to the consolidation of all three stations' newsgathering and production under a single operation, branded as "Hawaii News Now." This merger was a significant development in the Hawaii media landscape, creating a powerhouse news organization by combining resources and talent. Raycom Media eventually acquired KGMB outright, solidifying its ownership of all three stations under the HNN umbrella. In 2019, Gray Television acquired Raycom Media, thus becoming the current owner of Hawaii News Now and its constituent stations.Operations and Programming
Hawaii News Now produces numerous hours of local news programming daily, which are broadcast across KGMB, KHNL, and KFVE. While the news content originates from a single newsroom, specific newscasts may be tailored for each station, reflecting its network affiliation or target audience. For example, KGMB carries the CBS Morning News followed by HNN's local morning show, while KHNL broadcasts the Today Show alongside HNN local news inserts.Key programming includes:
- Morning News: Extensive morning newscasts covering local and national headlines, weather, and traffic.
- Midday News: A midday news program.
- Evening News: Early evening and late-night newscasts, typically at 5 PM, 6 PM, and 10 PM.
- Special Reports: Coverage of breaking news, severe weather events, and other significant local happenings.
- Digital Content: Continuous updates on its website, mobile app, and social media channels.
The unified newsroom allows HNN to efficiently deploy reporters, photographers, and resources across the islands, providing comprehensive coverage of events ranging from local politics and crime to environmental issues and cultural festivals.