Studio 46 Getting A Makeover

Morning anchor Chris Wragge posted this morning on Facebook that CBS 2 News was moving to a temporary studio for the summer as Studio 46 gets a makeover.

Newscasts began originating from a temporary set this afternoon.  It uses pieces from the studio that had been used in an interview and stand-up area, as well as the primary portion sister station WLNY used, to make the temporary location feel familiar. This section has been missing from the studio for the past few weeks, with WLNY using the CBS 2 desk for the 9 p.m. newscasts.

Studio 46 debuted in its current form on October 20, 2011 after broadcasting from a temporary set for exactly one month.

Interview Set Spotted

CBS 2's interview set made a brief appearance during the noon news today. John Elliott mentioned during his forecast that students from Gettysburg College were in the studio to watch the newscast. On his walk back to the desk, a shot of the students was taken.

It is believed to be the first time this set has been shown on-air since the station switched over to broadcasting in high definition. And it looked a bit different: The background cityscape has been replaced by a large flag graphic, possibly in advance of election-related interviews.

Glimpse of the Other Set

CBS 2 News showed the set that used to be used for the morning, noon and 5 p.m. newscasts. It has not been used since the morning of April 11th, just before CBS 2 News went high definition. The desk is not visible here and there seem to be very few changes: The monitors on the side displayed old CBS logos and Chris Wragge stood on a new platform.

When Studio 46 Goes Dark

...Well, not entirely dark, but it looks like a light on the set went out a few minutes ago during CBS 2 News at 5:00.

Compare these before-and-after shots:

Before


After:


The problem seems to have been fixed after only a few minutes.

What's Going On With The 6 & 11PM Set?

It looks like the set used for the 6:00 and 11:00 newscasts might be getting a facelift. Dana Tyler and Jim Rosenfield are anchoring from the set used for the morning, noon and 5:00 broadcasts. Brian says that Mary Calvi anchored from this set last night as well.


(Snapshots from wcbstv.com)

Anyone know what's up?

CBS 2 News Sunday Edition

This morning was the first "Sunday Edition" from Studio 43. The open went like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network. From the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 News Sunday Edition with Marcia Kramer." There was no graphic on the bottom of the screen for the second part, as all of the regular newscasts have. Also in the second part, they showed a shot of the interview set, where Marcia Kramer interviewed Alan Hevesi. The same theme they had been using for the past year was still used between commercial breaks and the end. Towards the end of the show, Marcia Kramer was at the plasma screens to tell us what's "On My Mind". Then at the end, they played the theme as she walked behind the desk to the interview set.

CBS 2 News This Weekend/Weekend News

Today was the weekend newscast's first chance in Studio 43. Vince DeMentri was there along with Kirstin Cole, who was filling in for Amanda Grove. The open went like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network. Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 Weekend News." The title the announcer said in the open, "CBS 2 Weekend News", did not correspond to the graphic on the bottom of the screen, which said "CBS 2 NEWS THIS WEEKEND". At 6:26, Gary Apple (who was reporting from the U.S. Tennis Open in Flushing) said, "Now back to you in Studio 43." Then Vince replied, "Studio 43... Feels good!"

The CBS 2 Information Center

J.R. Whalen, manager of the CBS 2 Information Center, tells me some interesting information. Most of the people in the CBS 2 Information Center are not volunteers, rather they are a diverse mix of researchers. I was also told, "On the first day, Michael Pomeranz tried to 'stump the Info Center' twice during commercial breaks, asking us trivia questions such as the square footage of work space inside the Pentagon (3.7 million sq. ft.) and the name given to the pads seen on the underside of a dog's foot (they're called pads.) The Info Center research staff had answers for each question for him within 60 seconds. You may see instances like this on the air in the future." I expect that we will see more of the Information Center soon.

The New York Post On Studio 43

Michael Starr of The New York Post has this in today's paper:

CH. 2 has moved the last of its newscasts out of the fancy new studio near the Plaza Hotel - and back to its old studio on West 57th Street. Ch. 2 unveiled its spanking-new studios yesterday at the CBS Broadcast Center (between 10th and 11th). With the move back to its traditional home studio, Ch. 2 staffers no longer have to board a shuttle bus and schlepp across town to "The Early Show" studios on 5th and 59th - as they'd been doing since 1999.

This allows us to be here for every show, where we couldn't do that under the previous setup," said Ch. 2 GM Tony Petitti. "In the old configuration, a lot of people started [their day] here and went to [the 55th St. studio] during the day," Petitti said. "But most anchors went straight to 55th Street." Earlier this summer, Ch. 2 moved its early-morning and noon newscasts back to the Broadcast Center - and it was expected that the 4, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts would follow suit when the new facility was completed.

Petitti said that, contrary to rumors, Ch. 2 will not be dropping its "CBS2 Information Network" tag nor its 4 p.m. newscast, which now follows "Crossing Over with John Edward." "We have no plans to change that format," he said. "We bought a lot of syndicated programming . . . and we're going to see what works and how it configures." In addition to "Crossing Over," Ch. 2 will be airing syndicated version of "Weakest Link" (beginning in January) and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" next fall. It's also purchased "Dr. Phil," also scheduled to kick off next fall.

A few incorrect comments in the article: There is/was no CBS 2 studio on 55th Street. Most newscasts moved to the 59th Street studio on January 17, 2000 (News 2 at Noon moved a month earlier). And all the newscasts moved to the new studio yesterday; CBS 2 News This Morning and At Noon did not move earlier.
(Thanks to Brian for sending me this article!)

Nightcast in Studio 43

"Nightcast" began last night as usual: with a preview during the previous show's credits, then a 30-second commercial break. The open, which now has the new CBS 2 Information Network graphic, is now worded like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network. Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is Nightcast." The open had called it "CBS 2 Nightcast" since late April. It now appears as if they've changed the title back to "Nightcast". This open is now different than the other new opens that premiered yesterday because it does not show the anchors in the second half (they kept the animation for the open).

Then Ernie Anastos and Angela Rae were at the plasma screens with the top story. Back at the news desk, they added an HDTV plasma screen on the right next to Ernie (possibly from Studio 59A or 59B). David Rogers previewed the weather standing by the large video wall (which shows nighttime scenes of the city). And after a story about PowerBall winners, Angela Rae said, "Well, we have hit the jackpot ourselves here at the CBS 2 Information Network. Look at us! We're in new digs!" Angela, Ernie, and David talked about the Information Center behind them, and welcomed viewers to their new home. Angela added, "And there's just more to come!"

Studio 43's First Day

All of the newscasts this evening at 4:00, 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 used the new type of opening with the new CBS 2 Information Network animation and the anchors at the desk. At 4:08, a new CBS 2 First News at 4:00 anchor open was used: "You're watching CBS 2 First News at Four, with Dana Tyler, Ernie Anastos, Cindy Hsu, and Ira Joe Fisher's forecast." At 4:13 and 4:43, Cindy Hsu was standing by the plasma screens with the Information Network update. At 4:21, Dana Tyler and Ernie Anastos talked about the new studio, technology, and the people working in the Information Center behind them. Ira Joe Fisher added that they "have the best crew." At 4:38, Tony Tantillo had the "Top Four at 4" on the left side of the studio near the plasma screens (he used the table from The Saturday Early Show's temporary studio).

At 4:57, Angela Rae and Todd McDermott were at the plasma screens right after the top story and the open for CBS 2 News at 5:00. At 5:21, Todd, Angela, and David Rogers introduced the new studio and said that we're going to meet some of the Information Center volunteers later this week. And Angela added, "We're going to keep some of it [the changes] under the hat." Then at 5:22, the 5:00 anchor opening played but was modified so that the new CBS 2 Information Network graphic was in the beginning and the end.

At 5:58, CBS 2 News at 6:00 opened with the top story, the open, and the anchors at the desk (same as what happened today at Noon). Alexis Christoforous was in the Information Center with the CBS.MarketWatch.com report. Nightcast is coming up tonight at 11:00, and we'll have details on that tomorrow morning.

CBS 2 News At Noon in Studio 43

Today CBS 2 News at Noon began with the top stories at 11:58, but the anchors weren't standing on the left of the desk this time. Then they had the open, with the CBS 2 Information Network logo and a sweeping shot of Michael Pomeranz and Cindy Hsu at the desk ("Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 News at Noon"). Lou Young, standing by the plasma screens on the left, reported on a developing story in Iraq. At 12:08, there was a new CBS HealthWatch animation, and Cindy was standing by the screens. A minute later, Alexis Christoforous joined her and did the CBS.MarketWatch.com report from inside the studio (she usually reports from the CBS.MarketWatch.com Newsroom at noon). Then at 12:17, Dana Tyler had a preview of CBS 2 First News at 4:00 "live in the Information Center". Then they went to Todd McDermott in the CBS 2 Newsroom who previewed CBS 2 News at 5:00, including Marcia Kramer's exclusive interview with Senator Hillary Clinton. More snapshots coming later this week!

CBS 2 News This Morning in Studio 43

Today's the big day! CBS 2 News This Morning started in Studio 43 this morning at 5:00. Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill previewed the newscast on the left of the news desk near four monitors with the "CBS 2 Information Network" and the "CBS 2 News This Morning" logos. They also welcomed viewers to their new studio at the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan. The open of the show was changed, with a new Information Network animation. Then they showed Michael and Lisa walking over to the desk with the "CBS 2 News This Morning" logo on the bottom. The open went like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network... Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 News This Morning." Here's a look at other changes that were made this morning:

Studio 43
This new studio, which we have been waiting for since May, finally came! It's a great studio with a news desk, an "Information Center" newsroom behind it, and an interview area. There are monitors and CBS 2 logos everywhere. Some monitors have views of New York City (nighttime scenes in the 5:00 hour, daytime views in the 6:00 hour). And the lighting creates "CBS 2 Information Network" and "CBS 2 Info Center" logos on the floor. Sweeping camera angles of the studio were shown often right before commercial breaks. And Janine D'Adamo mentioned that they now use a green chroma-key screen, instead of blue, so "I can wear blue now!"

CBS 2 Info Bar
Michael and Lisa introduced the "Info Bar" at 5:21. It's a black bar at the bottom of the screen (similar to the Sports Scoreboard) with news, weather, stocks, and sports. It's also where the current temperature is located (the "2" logo now has only the time above it). They said that it's an improvement of the CBS 2 Info Box, which used to appear on the bottom-left of the screen. It popped-up saying "INFOBOX: THIS SPACE FOR RENT".

Pet Pix and Wake-Up Call
After her weather report at 5:14, Janine D'Adamo introduced a new segment on CBS 2 News This Morning, "Pet Pix". As Brian reported earlier, CBS 2 will show viewers' digital pictures of their pets in the morning. This morning it was just some producers' pets used. And at 6:45, Janine did the "Wake-Up Call". CBS 2 News at Noon anchor Cindy Hsu was the person who was called this morning! Janine quizzed her to see how well she knew her co-anchors: Which anchor, Michael or Lisa, was a photographer before they anchored? Cindy correctly answered that it was Lisa. Janine also said that they may have contests and giveaways in the future.

Other important notes are that Susan McGinnis did the CBS MarketWatch report only once, at 5:44. This is probably because she had to go to Fifth Avenue to The Early Show's studio for her 7:20 report. The "Inside The Daily News" animation was changed to use the new Information Network graphic. There is also a new full screen for the morning newscast. The "Traffic And Weather on the 2's" animation was changed. And "Rock N Roll History", which was added to the newscast two months ago, has disappeared. Here are some snapshots, courtesy of Kevin:

Studio 43 To Debut Monday Morning

Today at the end of this morning's 6:55 CBS MarketWatch report, Susan McGinnis mentioned that CBS 2 News This Morning will be broadcasting from the new studio (43) on Monday Morning. Lisa Hill said that they would have more information on the studio after the commercial break, but CBS 2 News This Morning didn't have an ending today. This was most likely due to time constraints. More information as we get it!

-Brian

Studio 59B Used in the Evening

Studio 59B (CBS 2's morning and weekend studio) was used for CBS 2 News at Noon, First News @ 4:00, and CBS 2 News at 5:00 & 6:00 today. We believe this studio was used for the afternoon/evening newscasts because CBS Sports will be using CBS 2's main studio (59A) for tonight's broadcast of The NFL Today. Nightcast is expected to use Studio 59B as well, because tonight's football game is scheduled to end at 11:00pm.

-Brian

More Info on Information Center Volunteer Positions

CBSNEWYORK.com's Jobs Section has more information on the volunteer positions available at the new CBS 2 Information Center, which is located in CBS 2's upcoming Studio 43. Anyone interested can e-mail CBS 2 with "CBS 2 Information Center" in the subject line (Be sure to include your name, number, and qualifications in the e-mail).

- Position: Information Center Volunteers Wanted (posted 8/9/01)
CBS 2 is seeking volunteers for several positions as researchers in a new interactive component of the CBS 2 Information Network.
- Responsibilities: You'll be a part of a new and exciting way for viewers to interact with our news department through phone, Internet and e-mail communication. This will be a hands-on role in providing a voice for our viewers who contact the station with questions about issues and current events. Be in the thick of the action during a live newscast and do something great for the community. Plus, it's a great way to learn the business of television news and grow with the CBS 2 family.
- Preferred skills: Experience with the Internet, familiarity with CBS 2 news programming and knowledge of current events. We work in a fast-paced environment and are looking for people who are ready for the challenge.

-Brian

CBS 2's Online Broadcast Center Tour

CBSNEWYORK.com has just added pictures of the CBS Broadcast Center. The pictures include a look at the building, the newsroom with reporters, control rooms, the garage, and the new studio! The tour is located here. The studio is basically the same as the one seen here in March:







There are many CBS 2 logos above, and the logos of the Information Network partners behind the desk and in front of the Information Center. There is a spiral staircase to the right of the Information Center, leading up to a fake balcony. The official date for the studio change is August 27th.