JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – WJHL-TV is preparing to produce and broadcast local news programming in high definition.
The Tri-Cities CBS affiliate is acquiring the production equipment and cameras to broadcast all of its locally produced, studio programming in the improved format, President and General Manager Jack Dempsey said.
The transition is expected to be completed later this year.
“We are excited that this fall we’ll be bringing the latest technology and highest quality broadcast standards to Tri-Cities news viewers,” Dempsey said. “Viewers in the Tri-Cities will see a product that is equal to a network or cable picture.”
The resolution of a high-definition broadcast picture is about five times greater than standard definition. WJHL is the first area broadcaster to announce plans to make the move to local high definition, Dempsey said.
The station is currently amassing the integrated production system, digital video cameras, automation control software and other components needed for the switch.
“On average, the equipment it is replacing is about 15 years old. And it will make us more efficient,” Dempsey said. “In a standard studio, to produce a newscast takes ... four to six people to run that. Once this is set up, we’ll have one director and one other person. It won’t require as many people.”
Despite that, the change isn’t expected to affect employment levels, Dempsey said.
It will take a number of months to install and integrate all of the new equipment. Plans also include revamping the set and upgrading the station’s graphics.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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