KOZL, KOLR satellite office to open in Branson

Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. is working to open a Branson satellite office for KOLR 10 and KOZL-TV.

Dallas-based Nexstar, which owns KOZL-TV and OzarksFirst.com and manages KOLR 10 through a joint agreement with Ohio-based Mission Broadcasting, is building the facility in downtown Branson, 210 E. Main St., with plans to open it in early June, according to a news release.

"The Branson area remains one of the fastest-growing regions in the television market," said Leo Henning, vice president and general manager of KOZL and Ozarksfirst.com, in the release. "It is a significant driver of the economy for our region."

Staffed by full-time reporters, photographers and account executives, the satellite office would provide a backdrop for live programming from Branson, as well as more immediate prepration of content for TV, the Web and mobile devices from Taney, Stoney and Barry counties in Missouri, and Baxter, Boone and Marion counties in northwest Arkansas. The facility also would be a service provider for KOLR/KOZL's sister stations in Joplin, Fayetteville, Ark., and Little Rock, Ark.

"It makes sense to have a daily point of presence there. In fact, it is long overdue," Henning added.