KRNV-TV in Reno, Nev., became the first broadcaster in Northern Nevada to begin airing local news in HD last week. The station, a property of Sunbelt Communications, plans to broadcast all of its newscasts--and some of its public affairs staples such as "Nevada NewsMakers"--in 1080i, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.
The still-relatively small number of broadcasters airing local news in 1080i or 720p is approaching 30, with nearly all of them in large and major markets (and Reno being among the smallest DMAs, so far). "We were hoping to be first, and we made it," said Jon Killoran, news director at KRNV-TV, an NBC affiliate. Killoran said besides studio coverage, ENG field cameras also will be capable of HD (although their choice of specific equipment has not been detailed yet).
KRNV-TV had originally planned to unveil its local HD coverage in November, but some technical glitches led to the slight delay. Last week, we noted that KREN-TV, the CW affiliate in Reno, would be the first in the area to launch high-def news earlier in the week, but reportedly due to unspecified "technical difficulties," it aborted the launch. The move put KRNV on the air first.
