WCVB-TV in Boston this week became the first broadcaster in the market to transition its local news to HD, as the number of local stations transmitting 1080i or 720p grows toward an estimated 50 outlets nationwide.
The station said it hopes the HD format will give it a competitive edge, although there's little evidence to indicate that making the switch to local HD news greatly affects audience ratings, at least in the short term.
In Boston, WCVB-TV, an ABC affiliate which already enjoys some of the highest news ratings in the market, may wind up beating its competitors in the HD switchover by as much as a year, according to the Boston Globe.
Beyond its newscasts, WCVB-TV already made the leap to HD for local content several months ago when it started airing its 30-minute news magazine "Chronicle" in 720p.
