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Stations don't seem to replace News Sets as often as they once did

S

Skynet74

When I was growing up I remember all the stations updating their studios and music packages every few years. Now they no longer seem to do that. I think it's unfortunate. It kept things fresh and exciting. In Providence I think the last set change was ABC6 a few years back. It seems like it's been at least 6 years for WJAR and WPRI. If they've made any changes, it's been so small that they've hardly been noticeable. I would love to see complete Set redesigns in Rhode Island. Somehow the TV stations have managed to make their News studios look smaller than ever.

Back in the 80's I remember the cameras zooming out during credits and the studios would look nice and spacious which gave it a more professional look. I don't know what they've done since then. I guess now they've moved the news desks up close to the cameras so all the floor space is now behind the desk instead of in front of it. Bad design in my opinion. The studios now look like tiny cable access studios. Even WBZ in Boston has a real tiny looking set now. But go on youtube and search for their news studio from the 80's. It looked so much larger and professional back then. Aren't we supposed to evolve and make things better? Than how come many studios look worse now? I don't get it. I'm no set designer, but I would love to consult with some set designers and help fix these tiny looking sets. Keeping as much open floor space in front of the desk is step one. Push that news desk up against the back wall as far as it will go. I'm telling you it would make a huge difference.

Does anyone else besides me care about this? Maybe I'm just typing for nothing. LOL
 
I think that WPRI makes good use of the space that they have, and they did update it in March 2008 I believe.
WLNE has the smallest space, and their set could use an update soon.
Lastly, WJAR I think has the biggest, but I don't think that they have updated that thing since at least 10 years ago. They also use their space horribly.

As for Boston, WHDH uses their space nicely, and it was updated in July 2008 when they went HD.
WFXT also uses their mega-studio nicely, but I think it has been around 5 years.
WCVB updated theirs for HD in 2007, and it is my personal favorite. It's pretty big and looks nice, and is well used. (Chronicle and NewsCenter 5 broadcast from it, one on either side)
WBZ updated part of theirs earlier this year, and I think that that part looks nice. The desk area is also fine, and it was updated in late 2008 for HD. It's bright, and it works. WBZ also doesn't actually have that big of a studio, though there is a lot of empty space behind the desk, so it could be pushed back.
 
WPRI used to have a great looking two level set when they were owned by CBS in 1994 and 95. They went and screwed around with it and now I don't even think they can walk on that second level anymore. But it was totally usable 15 years ago. They used to do Sports up there. It was real nice.


WCVB does have a real nice set. Even WHDH does as well. WFXT looks to much like a Warehouse to me. Big, but to mechanical. Check out this video of WBZ from the 80's. You have to skip ahead to the 4:30 mark to see what I'm talking about. But during the News open they have a full studio shot. It looks good. You don't see this much anymore. It's to bad. It looks nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug8_x-4sRAU
 
Could be that the studios that once were manned with tons of people are now mainly just three or four robotic cameras. It makes for a very desolate-looking shot. Besides which, who's got the money to update sets these days?
 
I think that WJAR needs to update their set it looks very cramped. WPRI AND WLNE both updated their sets recently. Anyword when any of these stations will go HD?
 
sa89 said:
I think that WJAR needs to update their set it looks very cramped. WPRI AND WLNE both updated their sets recently. Anyword when any of these stations will go HD?
Click to expand...

Yeah WJAR does look cramped. I know that studios have to be bigger than this. There is a website devoted to pics of News sets. I don't know the address off the top of my head. However there are several stations across the country with real nice looking studios. I'm talking REAL NICE! I don't see any of that on my TV here. I think ABC6 tries the hardest though. They've got a real nice color scheme and they have some cool moving background lights during their broadcast. You can tell they they've at least put some thought into things.
 
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