CBS 2 Breaks Ground on an Innovative New Broadcast Center

CBS 2 Breaks Ground on an Innovative New Broadcast Center

CHICAGO, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- CBS 2 Chicago/WBBM-TV today broke ground on an innovative new Broadcast Center located at 2 West Washington. The station will relocate its entire broadcast operation to the new building upon completion.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051115/CGTU079 )

"We're making local television history today," said Joe Ahern, President and General Manager of CBS 2 Chicago. "The new CBS 2 Broadcast Center will be a world-class communications center with state-of-the-art technology and a sleek street-side studio facing Daley Plaza. CBS 2 has a long and rich history of serving Chicago for more than five decades. When we move to our new home we'll be able to connect with our audience like never before."

"Today's groundbreaking marks a defining moment for an idea that began a very long time ago," said Tom Kane, President and CEO of the Viacom Television Stations Group. "The new CBS 2 Broadcast Center illustrates the commitment this station and our company have made to this great city."

"WBBM has found the ideal location for their new studios -- in this magnificent new development in the heart of downtown Chicago," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "This is a very exciting development -- with a hotel, condos, retail, dining, entertainment and a high-tech transit station serving both airports. A television station will make it that much more exciting and interesting for Chicagoans and visitors."

The CBS 2 Broadcast Center will be all digital and HD-ready. Every CBS 2 local newscast will be broadcast from the 2800 square-foot street-side studio. An outdoor video wall, measuring 80 feet by 20 feet, will feature CBS news, special events, sports and entertainment, 24-hours a day. An electronic ticker wrapping the corner of the building will also be a 24/7 information source with news headlines, weather alerts and stock prices. The CBS 2 Broadcast Center will also have a second studio for production of long-form shows and special broadcasts. In addition, CBS 2 weather control will feature the station's own Doppler radar and the latest forecasting technology for street-side viewing.

The CBS 2 Broadcast Center will be located at the corner of Washington and Dearborn Streets and will occupy the first five floors of the building.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051115/CGTU079
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: CBS 2 Chicago

CONTACT: Elizabeth Shapiro Abrams of CBS 2 Chicago, +1-312-202-3465

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