Talk Business & Politics to debut in Jonesboro market on KAIT NBC affiliate

Talk Business & Politics with Roby Brock, the weekly half-hour TV news program entering its 17th year in 2016, will now be aired in the Jonesboro TV market. The half-hour program will air on content partner KAIT’s NBC affiliate in Northeast Arkansas at 10 a.m. following “Meet the Press” beginning this Sunday, Feb. 7.

“I’ve been a big Roby Brock fan since coming to the state of Arkansas,” said KAIT Vice President and General Manager Chris Conroy. “The growth in our part of Arkansas is undeniable. We are proud to partner with Talk Business & Politics in this pivotal time in Region 8 history.”

Brock has served as editor-in-chief and host of Talk Business & Politics, a multi-media news organization focusing on business and politics in Arkansas. In business for 17 years, more than 2,000 business and political leaders have been interviewed by Brock. He also is the host of Talk Business & Politics, which airs Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. on KATV Channel 7. Brock also moderates a statewide radio program that airs on NPR affiliates statewide.

“I’m very excited to expand our reach into Northeast Arkansas, a pivotal and growing region of the state in terms of business and political influence. To join KAIT’s Sunday morning line-up will help us bring important news and interviews to decision makers in this vital corner of the state,” said Roby Brock, host of Talk Business & Politics.

Talk Business & Politics already has a steady presence in the Jonesboro/Northeast Arkansas market. In addition to the TV show expansion, TB&P airs Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. on KASU 91.9 FM, provides exclusive Northeast Arkansas coverage at TalkBusiness.net, delivers a 5 days a week e-mail newsletter to local readers, and has a significant magazine reach in the region.

In addition to his television and radio programs and active web site, TalkBusiness.net, he is publisher and editor-in-chief of Talk Business & Politics, a statewide magazine publication distributed to 12,000 business and political leaders throughout Arkansas.

“Adding the TV show in Northeast Arkansas to our reach will only help provide more critical local and statewide news to our growing audience,” Brock added.

On this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, will offer his analysis of the Iowa Caucus results and the state of the Presidential race. Also, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist and TB&P contributor John Brummett will help dissect new Arkansas Presidential polling numbers from Hendrix College and Talk Business & Politics.

The Jonesboro area market is also supported by Michael Wilkey who serves as the Northeast Arkansas correspondent for Talk Business & Politics. A graduate of Arkansas State University and the former Mid-South Community College (now ASU-Mid South), Wilkey has worked in journalism for 15 years covering business, economic development, education, politics and transportation issues. Prior to joining Talk Business & Politics, Wilkey worked at newspapers in Northeast Arkansas.

On Oct. 1, 2015, Talk Business & Politics merged with The City Wire (TCW Media), which provided business and political coverage in Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith metro. The parent company is Natural State Media, with Talk Business & Politics being the brand under which the company will provide statewide business and political news coverage.

Owners of the company are Roby Brock, with Talk Business & Politics; Patricia Brown, an owner of TCW Media; Chester Koprovic, an owner of TCW Media; Michael Tilley, with The City Wire and a TCW Media owner; and Bennie Westphal, an owner of TCW Media.