The show drew some controversy over how similar the program was to the Canadian TV newsroom drama E.N.G. (1989)
Both WNDY and WIOU are the call letters of real broadcast stations in Indiana. WNDY-TV is Channel 23, Indianapolis; WNDY-FM is 93.1 on the campus of Wabash College. WIOU is an AM radio station in Kokomo at 1350.
Creators Kathryn Pratt and John Eisendrath formerly worked at WBBM-TV in Chicago, and drew upon their experiences to create the show.
To prepare for her role, Helen Shaver job shadowed former Los Angeles News Anchor Tritia Toyota.