South Bend, Indiana got more than a win from their Fighting Irish this weekend -- they also got a heavy dose of HD news. WSBT-TV, the area's CBS affiliate, became the first in the region to air its newscasts digitally just days ago, and moreover, the first to broadcast in high-definition. Viewers are being treated to clearer views of their favorite anchors and more information on a wider screen platform, including additional weather data on the margins of their TV screens. The station's news director Meg Sauer has also asked for forgiveness if any glitches crop up due to all the new equipment, but we're sure you'll be willing to do so in exchange for an HD quality broadcast.
It's one thing to simply fork out some cash for new equipment and pull the lever on HD newscasts, but Lexington, Kentucky's WTVQ-TV is doing it real big when it takes its local news to high-def this month. Starting on October 30th, not only will locals view the evening news in HD, but they'll see a new anchor team, a new news set, a fresh graphics arrangement and revived vivaciousness all around. We've always heard that going all out was the only way to go -- guess we'll see how the ratings react in around a week.
Yep, as of this week, KCTV (CBS) is broadcasting its local newscasts in high-definition, which gives Kansas City residents not one, not two, but three different networks to choose from when scouting HD news. The only holdout? The local FOX affiliate WDAF-TV, which apparently has no current plans to join its rivals in showing off anchors in 720p / 1080i. Good luck with that.
Get ready, Madison -- HD news is just around the bend. Starting on Sunday, October 26th, WISC-TV will become the first in the region to air all of its regularly-scheduled newscasts in high-definition. Of note, the CBS affiliate has been airing feature stories within its newscast in HD since January of this year, but on Sunday, it will become the first in the area to go wire-to-wire in high-def. The first completely HD newscast will air at 5:30PM on the aforementioned day, and in preparation for the change, the regularly scheduled "News 3 at 5:30" will be preempted for an original special on HDTV and the February 2009 digital television conversion.
Los Angeles residents could already turn their attention to KABC to catch the local news in high-def, but as Anchorman proved, there's nothing like a little competition to keep everyone on their toes. As of this week, both KTTV (FOX 11) and KCOP (MyNetworkTV 13) have made the switch to HD, meaning that you now have two more options for catching the latest in depressing anecdotes in stunning high-definition. 'Tis a shame this does nothing for that sting left by the Phillies.
Ready to see (local) talking heads in high-def, Sacramento? You're in luck, because CBS affiliate KOVR is finally broadcasting its local newscasts in HD. As of October 1st, locals were able to tune in and hear all sorts of fantastically hopeful news in a higher resolution than ever before, though the switch won't make the weather and / or stock market any easier to predict. Bugger.
Another first is coming to Wichita: local news in high-definition. The area's CBS affiliate, KWCH-TV, just began running commercials to get residents psyched up about the impending transition to HD. When it flips the switch sometime later this month, it'll be the first local station in the region to air its newscasts in high-def. Something tells us the others won't be too far behind, though.
Starting this month, viewers in the Florida panhandle (Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Mobile, Alabama to be more precise) can start catching their local news in high-definition. The region's ABC affiliate (WEAR-TV) has finally seen fit to bring a clearer view of its newscasts to locals. Hailed as the "first and only" local station in the Mobile-Pensacola Metro area to air its local news in HD, the station is showing five different sessions per day in high-def. [Warning: PDF read link]
With practically every other broadcast station in Chicago already beaming out local news in HD, we can only say that it's about time CBS 2 made its move. As the station slides to a new headquarters at Dearborn and Washington Streets across from Daley Plaza, it will also begin airing its newscasts in beautiful high-definition. We're hearing that ratings have been on the decline of late (that's what you get for not keeping with the program!), but hopefully the switch to HD will be a shot in the arm, er, meter. Give it a look on September 22nd.
Hey, Charleston -- ready for some HD news? We sure hope so, as local CBS affiliate WCSC-TV is making the fateful switch on September 29th. According to the South Carolina station, viewers will see a "huge change" in how things look, and aside from that, it's pretty proud of being the first local broadcaster in the state to air its news "completely in high-definition." Kudos, Charleston, so who's next?
Add two more to the growing list of news stations in America that have made the switch to high-def. Word from respective locals informs us that WHNT (the local CBS affiliate) in Huntsville, Alabama is now broadcasting news in HD, while KMGH (the local ABC affiliate) in Denver, Colorado has done the same. Any others out there needing recognition while we're on a roll?
Though not the first HD news station in Missouri, KOMU-TV is the first station in the mid-state to bring high-def news to locals. The NBC affiliate serving the Columbia and Jefferson City areas has just went live with HD newscasts, including the region's first high-definition radar. We're seeing these things pop up at a pretty impressive rate nowadays -- puts a smile on our face, that's for sure.
It sure took forever to hit the century mark, but it seems as if 200 is growing closer every single day. Up next on the list of news stations who've decided to turn in their SD card for a much clearer HD variant is El Paso's own KTSM-TV. The NBC affiliate is the first in the region to offer up 1080i newscasts, and it's doing so just in time for the sure-to-be-suffocating Olympics coverage. Enjoy!
While Alabama has been the recipient of quite a few new HD channels here recently, folks located in and around Montgomery will be treated to even more high-def. The local NBC affiliate (WSFA 12) has become the first station in the central part of the state to air its local newscasts in high-definition. WVTM-TV in Birmingham already claimed that "first in Alabama" crown, but WSFA isn't complaining about being number two overall. Tune in tonight and let us know how it looks.
As the race to 200 HD news stations in America continues, Boston's own WHDH-TV is bringing us one closer. After nearly being no-hit last night in their own ballpark, Bean Town residents can actually flip on the evening news without worry of having to relive any embarrassing history. Based on the before and after shots in the read link, we'd say the local NBC affiliate did an outstanding job at renovating the studio. For locals who have tuned in already, how is the broadcast quality? Good enough to make you start watching on a regular basis?