KCNC In On Denver Chopper Share

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable

Fourteen months after Denver rivals KMGH and KUSA entered into a helicopter share, CBS O&O KCNC will be in on the mile-high pact as well. April 1 marks the day the trio commences sharing a helicopter.

KMGH is owned by McGraw-Hill and KUSA is owned by Gannett. The two began sharing the aircraft last February. KCNC's entry into the agreement was previously reported in the Denver Post. KCNC will be "taking the video feed, not participating in operational decisions," KMGH news director Jeff Harris told the Post.

All three will maintain their editorial independence. Helicopter shares are increasingly popular among rival stations, due to the high costs involved with deploying them.

In Phoenix, for example, the Meredith, Belo and Gannett stations share helicopter footage.In October, the KUSA-KMGH chopper chased after the balloon thought to be carrying young Falcon Heene high above the Denver market.