WTVC News Channel 9 in Chattanooga is shown in this 2012 staff file photo.A Chattanooga TV station is charging mayoral candidates $1,000 to be interviewed ahead of the March 2 election.
WTVC News Channel 9, Chattanooga’s local Fox affiliate, sent letters to candidates late last week, offering them interviews on “This N That,” a lifestyle program which runs on weekday afternoons, if they agreed to pay $1,000.
“‘This N That’ with News Channel 9 has an exciting opportunity I would like to share with you. ‘TNT’ will be offering a candid and open conversation in a relaxed environment to tell your story to our viewers. These segments will be airing on ‘This N That’ during the week of Feb. 15,” identical letters provided to the Times Free Press by multiple candidates read.
“Each candidate will appear in a two minute and no longer than a two-and-a-half-minute interview to speak about your platform. We will provide a laid-back setting for the candidate to tell your story and will air the segment during ‘This N That’ on News Channel 9 during the 12:30 pm program. This opportunity will be a non-scripted conversation and allow each candidate to let our viewers know their objectives if/when they are elected as Mayor of Chattanooga,” the letters from the Sinclair Broadcast Group station continue.
“The fee associated with this interview will be $1000 net. Our plan will be to pre-tape segments during the week of Feb. 8. To be able to execute this show and give our viewers the high-quality production we deliver, we will need all candidates to confirm their place no later than Feb. 5, 2021.”