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WJXT throws the HD lever in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville residents looking for a new take on the evening news can finally see their dreams come true. As of now, WJXT -- an independent station serving the Florida city and its surrounding communities -- is broadcasting its newscasts in high-definition. At first, the noon broadcast will be the only one in HD, though other airings should follow suit in short order. Locals who rely on DISH Network and DirecTV will sadly be unable to enjoy the new look without an OTA antenna, though WJXT vice president and general manager John Rafferty has assured us that its high-def signal will be picked up by both "soon."[Thanks, Eric]
Atlanta's CBS affiliate transitions newscasts to high-definition
Hotlanta may be feeling the chill of winter right about now, but those looking for one more choice when it comes to watching the evening news in high-def can rejoice. As of this week, the region's CBS affiliate (WGCL) has converted its newscasts to HD, making it the third in Atlanta, Georgia to do so. Also of note, the CBS 46 branding has been trashed in favor of the altogether lovely CBS Atlanta logo you see above, and for those keeping inventory, FOX's WAGA now sits as the only local in the area not broadcasting news in high-definition. Anyone willing to wager that changes soon?[Thanks, Eric]
South Florida's WSVN converts newscasts to high-definition
South Florida's NBC 6 became the first English-language network in the area to take its newscasts to high-def, but now those who refuse to watch news in SD finally have another choice. Starting this week, WSVN -- the FOX affiliate in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale market -- will be airing its local news broadcasts in greater clarity, and now that this station has hopped on board, we reckon the outcasts will be following suit in short order.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
WBAL-TV switches on HD news in Baltimore, Maryland
Charm City residents refusing to tune into SD news have had their sets locked on FOX 45 for months now, but 2009 is offering the city of Baltimore yet another option. Starting this weekend, WBAL-TV has flipped the high-def switch on its local news, meaning that you can now catch your favorite NBC talking heads in an all new light. So, locals -- are things much improved? Studio shot is after the break.[Thanks, Ryan and Michael]
Austin, TX's KXAN takes local news HD, leaves KTBC as lone outlier
Everything is supposedly bigger in Texas, and we can imagine the awkwardness of being the only station in Austin to not offer local news in high-def is substantial. Just before Christmas, the city's NBC affiliate (KXAN) turned the screws on high-definition news, with revamped on-screen graphics and on-air tools. The station collaborated with FX Group in order to "design a visually creative and flexible news set that will be used for all newscasts," and of course, it also upgraded to HD cameras and HD weather forecasting equipment. With the transition complete, it leaves KTBC-TV (FOX) as the only game in town to not even offer newscasts in HD, though we suspect it'll be forced to get with the program soon in order to avoid further embarrassment.[Thanks, John]
Boston's WBZ-TV fires up HD newscasts
Check it, Beantown. Your local CBS affiliate (WBZ-TV) has decided to follow WHDH-TV into the 21st century, as it finally fired up HD news this week. With this network going high-def, that makes three of the big four in Boston that have successfully made the switch. News in 1080i -- equally depressing, a lot more beautiful.[Thanks, Will]
Philadelphia's NBC 10 brings the high-def love to its newscasts
Philadelphia residents, NBC 10 loves you. We mean, it really digs you. So much, in fact, that it has taken to heart all those surely kind letters you've sent in over the past few months regarding high-def news. Starting tonight, The City of Brotherly Love has another place to turn for high-definition newscasts, and that place is NBC 10. Reportedly, the station has been constructing an HD studio for months, and it has just now taken the wraps off of everything. Enjoy, Philly, and let us know if you're pleased in comments below.
Washington, DC's WJLA (ABC 7) turns on HD newscasts
It's time to celebrate, DC, as you finally have more than one option to turn to when scouting HD news. For some four years, WUSA (CBS 9) has been the lone high-def news station in the immediate region, but at long last WJLA (ABC 7) has stepped in to give it some much needed competition. Reportedly, the station aired its first HD newscast during the noon hour on December 8th, with the next episodes to hit at 5:00PM and 6:00PM for those scooting out of work. So, which network has next?[Thanks, Ammar]
South Bend, Indiana gets HD news from WSBT-TV
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.
New York's WNYW takes HD newscasts to high-def
Back in April, we wondered when New York's WNYW would finally follow suit and take its local newscasts to high-def. As of this week, the Big Apple's FOX affiliate is finally broadcasting its local news in glistening HD. As tipster Rich so elequotely put it: "There's nothing like seeing how bad a night your favorite news anchor had when tuning in at 5:00AM." Burn.[Image courtesy of Broadcast Engineering, thanks Rich]
Cincinnati's own WXIX gears up for HD news transition
Cincinnati's Fox 19 has come a long way over the years, but it's still lagging behind in one huge area: HD newscasts. Thankfully for residents of the Ohio city, all that's about to change... at least, according to news director Steve Ackermann. Reportedly, WXIX will move this week into its high-def-ready news set, and if all goes as planned, it could become the second station in the area to broadcast local news in HDTV within "a couple of weeks." We'll be watching.[Thanks, Eric]
Lexington, KY's WTVQ gets major makeover as part of HD news transition
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.[Thanks, Eric]
Kansas City's KCTV takes local news HD, leaves WDAF holding the egg
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.[Thanks, Michael]
WISC-TV to finally deliver HD news in Madison, Wisconsin
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' KTTV and KCOP: now with HD news
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.[Thanks, Eric]
Sacramento's KOVR broadcasts local news in HD
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.[Thanks, Eric]
Wichita's KWCH taking local news to HD this month
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.[Thanks, Gabe]
Western North Carolina's WLOS takes local news to high-def
The Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson DMA just netted itself another local station with HD news: WLOS (ABC). Starting this week, the station -- which serves the western parts of both North and South Carolina -- will be broadcasting from its new set and studio, which features a "rotating desk with two different back drops, more than two dozen HD monitors, new HD studio cameras, HD graphics, and the advanced HD 'Sky Watch' Weather Center." The station is just about a year late on being numero uno in the market, as rival WSPA-TV (the local CBS affiliate) took its local news HD in September of last year. Nothing wrong with choices, though.[Thanks, PopWeaverHDTV]
WEAR-TV brings HD news to Florida panhandle
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][Thanks, Scott]
Chicago's CBS 2 going HD on September 22nd
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.[Thanks, Stephen]
