News 13 goes Hi-Definition

On September 17th, News 13 launched high definition news. WLOS broadcast its inaugural HD newscasts during News 13 at 5pm, ushering in an historic new era in broadcasting at WLOS.

As part of the multi-million dollar investment in HD news, News 13 now broadcasts from its new set designed to handle the dissemination of daily news, provide a working environment for its Emmy Award winning anchors and reporters, and showcase the crisp and clean imagery inherent in high definition television.

The new studio features a rotating desk with two different back drops, more than two dozen HD monitors, new HD studio cameras, HD graphics, and the highly advanced HD “Sky Watch” Weather Center. To further increase quality, ABC13 recently switched to a new HD master control at its studio in Biltmore Park.

News 13’s “Sky Watch” weather system enables street-level mapping and state-of-the-art 3D forecasting. Its advanced weather tracking technology provides some of the most accurate, detailed and reliable weather forecasting in Western North Carolina.

WLOS/WMYA general manager Jack Connors said, “This is the largest change in look in the history of the station. The process of building a set while you’re on the air is like rebuilding your kitchen while you’re trying to cook.”

News Director Julie Fries said, “News 13 prides itself on being Western North Carolina’s News Leader. We place a high priority on telling the stories that are relevant to the people who live in the mountains. We want to stay on the cutting edge of broadcast news by serving our viewers with this amazing new technology.”