In an effort to streamline resources and increase efficiency of their respective news-gathering organizations, three television news stations in West Michigan have agreed share video footage of pre-planned events starting July 13.

The news stations taking part in the content-sharing partnership are Kalamazoo’s Freedom Communications-owned WWMT-TV (CBS) and two stations in Grand Rapids, LIN TV-owned WOOD-TV (NBC) and Gannett-owned WZZM-TV (ABC). Grand Rapids’ FOX affiliate, WXMI-TV, is not joining the partnership. Those four stations cover the majority of the West Michigan media market, the second largest in the state.

Such agreements have been on the rise in local television markets, which have been hit hard by the downturn in the advertising market, just like their print media counterparts. Those pressures have led to consolidating and trimming of local news-gathering operations.

Still, according to The Grand Rapids Press, the general managers of the stations are putting on a brave face saying that the pooled resources will improve the viewer experience.

“We’re excited about this alliance, which will further enhance the WWMT news viewer experience. By pooling news resources, our goal is to ensure that every WWMT newscast will include more of the local stories, breaking news and other community-related news our viewers have come to expect,” said Jim Lutton, vice president and general manager at WWMT.

The stations will not share on-air talent as part of the new arrangement, according to The Press.