In a Thursday Instagram post, ABC13 anchor Jonathan Bruce said FOX 26’s self-directed livestream format is not new, citing his digital-anchor work in Houston and Colorado Springs. He said it offers creative freedom but can also push journalists to do more with fewer resources.
At Colorado Springs station KKTV 11, Bruce said he spent four hours a day producing, directing, floor-managing, anchoring and reporting, while also handling some engineering work. He joined ABC13 as a digital anchor in December 2021 and moved to its traditional broadcasts in 2023.
FOX 26’s Caroline Collins prompted wider industry debate after showing herself managing livestream controls while anchoring. She has called the workflow the “future of local news” and said her first show was “incredibly stressful.” KBTX anchor Rusty Surette said his station has used a similar format since 2020; former KHOU digital anchor Brandi Smith controlled her own livestream broadcasts in 2021.
