TV newscasts take delight in citing the latest perils of the popular press.

They keep us informed on how many newspaper companies are laying off employees, cutting their pay, abandoning printed editions or closing their doors.

What they don’t tell you is that local and national TV faces similar straits.

The good news is that local TV stations are experiencing a rare surge in viewership as more of us tune in for the latest virus news.

But the stations are unlikely to benefit financially because of a cutback in advertising spending.

“We have more viewers than ever, but advertisers are unfortunately stuck in the same economic boat as many of us,” Patrick McCreerye of the local media group Meredith Corp. told the Wall Street Journal.

You will see local anchors and weather forecasters talking to you from their bedrooms or home offices.

Due to federal and state guidelines, many are forced to work from home.

To their credit, they have made these adjustments and keep us updated.

The auto industry makes up a key portion of TV advertising revenue, but auto sales are dropping and with it their ability to advertise.

Political advertising is another big contributor to local TV stations’ revenue.

Postponing many primaries because of the virus means that advertising revenue is likely to come later.

Local TV broadcasters decline to disclose the extent of the advertising losses.

The advertising industry itself is being rocked.

One local ad agency owner told the Chronicle his accounts’ sales have tanked and with it their ad dollars.

The Chronicle has not escaped either. While most of us are working from home, we have had to temporarily suspend the print – but not the online – editions of The Lake Murray Fish Wrapper.

Fortunately, many of our advertisers are financially sound and provide products and services in demand during the pandemic.