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The Terre Haute DMA covers west-central Indiana and eastern Illinois, including Vigo County’s manufacturing, agriculture, higher education, and logistics sectors. Local media report on economic development, broadband expansion, riverfront revitalization, and severe weather, while highlighting Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman, and regional healthcare hubs. Residents rely on television, radio, and digital platforms to track state politics, military installations, and cross-border commerce.
Nexstar Media Group operates WTWO (NBC) and WAWV (ABC) through joint services, while Scripps-owned WTHI-TV (CBS/FOX) maintains an integrated newsroom. Public broadcasting is provided by WTIU/WFIU from Indiana University and WILL from the University of Illinois, reaching rural audiences. The Tribune-Star, nonprofit Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Indiana Public Broadcasting collaborate on accountability journalism covering utilities, education, and economic policy.
The Federal Communications Commission oversees spectrum coordination across state lines, ensuring Emergency Alert System readiness for tornadoes, floods, and winter storms. Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency conduct joint exercises with broadcasters on IPAWS, river flooding, and hazardous materials incidents along I-70 and U.S. 41.
WTHI, WTWO, and WAWV stream newscasts, weather radar, and political coverage through OTT apps, Roku, and web platforms. IndianaPublicMedia.org and WFYI extend investigative podcasts and statewide explainers that feed local reporting. Digital outlets such as Tribune-Star, MyWabashValley, and Terrain feature newsletters, data visualizations, and social video covering civic issues, arts, and entrepreneurship.
Broadband improvements via Indiana’s Next Level Connections grants and Illinois’ Connect Illinois program expand fiber and fixed wireless to Vigo, Clay, Vermillion, and Clark counties. Smart transportation projects install sensors along I-70 and rural corridors, with agencies sharing data on traffic, weather, and public safety for newsroom dashboards.
Manufacturing and logistics workers monitor morning newscasts, radio, and text alerts for weather, traffic, and workforce development. Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman, and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods students stream OTT newscasts, podcasts, and newsletters covering civic engagement, internships, and entrepreneurship.
Economic development entities and hospitals collaborate with local broadcasters for town halls, LinkedIn Live events, and data explainers on talent retention, health equity, and infrastructure investments.
Farmers rely on OTA television, radio market reports, and smartphone alerts for weather, commodity prices, and watershed conditions. Cooperative extension programs and soil conservation districts share information through Facebook Live and station websites.
Faith communities, local governments, and nonprofits livestream services, council meetings, and public forums to reach homebound residents and shift workers, while social networks share community news, missing person alerts, and event coverage.
| Indicator | Latest Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DMA population | approximately 380,000 residents (2023) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Television households | about 159,000 TV homes, rank 149 (2024-2025) | Nielsen DMA Rankings |
| Median household income | roughly $56,400 across Vigo and Clay counties (2022) | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Broadband availability | 87% of households with 100 Mbps access | Indiana Broadband Office / Connect Illinois |
| Manufacturing employment share | approximately 22% of regional workforce | Indiana Department of Workforce Development |
| Indiana State University enrollment | around 9,100 students (2023-2024) | Indiana State University |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology enrollment | about 2,300 students (2023-2024) | Rose-Hulman Office of Institutional Research |
The 2024 Indiana University Center for Survey Research study finds 58% of west-central Indiana residents trust local news outlets for weather, economic, and civic reporting, compared with 26% for national media. Stations publish transparency statements, updates on public records acquisition, and corrections policies, and they host listening sessions with rural residents, union members, and students to guide coverage.
Collaborative projects—WTHI Investigates, Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Indiana Public Broadcasting—produce bilingual explainers on infrastructure, housing, and healthcare. Newsrooms partner with libraries and community centers to distribute information and gather feedback.
Audiences follow Indiana State Sycamores, Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pacers through local broadcasts, ESPN+, and streaming highlights. Outdoor recreation, racing, and Wabash River content resonates on weekend newscasts, podcasts, and social feeds.
Podcast and newsletter consumption includes WTHI’s News 10 Daily, Indiana Capital Chronicle’s Morning Dispatch, and regional economic development updates. Younger audiences connect with TikTok and Instagram creators covering coffee shops, festivals, and campus life, while faith organizations livestream services and regional concerts.
