WSBT-TV became the first broadcaster in the South Bend, Ind., market (DMA no. 89) to air its local newscast in HD (1080i). The Nov. 16 launch was aired from the station's new digital studios.
News anchor Debra Daniel called the occasion "a new era" in broadcast technology for the station and the industry, according to the South Bend Tribune. (The newspaper and the station are owned by Schurz Communications.)
After more than 50 years of broadcasting, WSBT-TV recently relocated from its South Bend facilities to its new digs in nearby Mishawaka last weekend, according to News Director Meg Sauer, who said her staff has been training with new digital equipment and the widescreen HD format for several months.
The CBS affiliate has marked other big milestones, too, said Sauer: WSBT-TV was the first UHF station (Channel 22) in Indiana to ever produce a live newscast, as well as the first UHF outlet to jump to color several decades ago.
