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Why we break into programming for weather updates

Posted at 11:53 AM, Oct 13, 2018
and last updated 2019-04-06 19:42:44-04

First of all, I’m truly sorry that we at Central Texas News Now have to interrupt programming from time to time to provide information about storms and tornado warnings in our viewing area. We understand and appreciate how many of you feel.

One rule guides us when making the decision to interrupt with weather bulletins: “Is there an imminent threat to the lives and property of Central Texans in our viewing area?”

Today’s active weather meets the “imminent danger” test. When thousands are in an area that’s under an active warning, they rely on KXXV to keep them safe. 

It may seem like we “talk in circles” as several viewers have commented today. There’s a good reason for this. 

People living in an affected area may not be tuned in at the very beginning of our coverage. Many of you tune in and out throughout the course of hours... even minutes.  We must give enough warning and lead time to take precautions. 

Central Texas is a big place. Our KXXV broadcast signal covers an area larger than some states. Severe weather can destroy a community in one part of our viewing area while folks in other Central Texas cities and counties are safe in their homes, calmly watching their favorite TV shows or sports programming.

Often KXXV will be in the position of having to inconvenience some viewers in order to protect others. We don’t like upsetting any of our Central Texas News Now viewing family. But in circumstances like today, I would rather be explaining to you why we interrupt programming than begging forgiveness from someone who lost a loved one because we did not interrupt programming

Severe weather and tornadoes kill people and damage property. All of our viewers are important to us. 

We take our responsibility to protect Central Texans more seriously than anything we do.