After three years, CBS News and Stations has installed its latest — and last — augmented-virtual reality television news studio at its station in Minneapolis.
The installation of the AR/VR studio at WCCO (Channel 4) in Minneapolis marks the final installation of a multi-year project that began in San Francisco back in 2023.
The 1,200-square-foot studio will make its on-air debut during WCCO’s 6 p.m. newscast. Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer will use immersive graphics to visualize forecasts and weather conditions, while the station plans to use the technology for other major news stories.
“The investments we’ve made in AR/VR technology across CBS Stations reflect our commitment to delivering trusted reporting, innovative storytelling and meaningful coverage that better serves our communities,” Jennifer Mitchell, the President of CBS Television Stations, said in a statement on Thursday.
The technology allows journalists to incorporate three-dimensional graphics and other virtual elements into the studio environment to help explain complex stories and visualize information.
“Minnesotans rely on WCCO to help them make sense of what’s happening in their communities, especially during significant weather events and major local news moments,” Ann Ouellette, the President and General Manager of WCCO, said on Thursday.
WCCO’s newscasts are available over the air on Channel 4 and through the CBS News Minnesota streaming channel on connected television, mobile and digital platforms.
KPIX (Channel 5) in San Francisco was the first CBS-owned station to debut an AR/VR studio. Since then, CBS has rolled out AR/VR studios to all of its news-producing owned-and-operated stations across the country, including outlets in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
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