KARE 11 Announces High Definition News Plans

KARE 11 Announces High Definition News Plans

KARE 11 News to unveil new look to Minneapolis/St. Paul market

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- KARE 11 TV has announced plans to begin broadcasting all of its local newscasts in high definition beginning late April. With this move, KARE 11 becomes the first and only local station in Minneapolis/St. Paul to broadcast its news in high-definition.

With high definition the viewer will see high-resolution broadcasts with sharper, crisper and clearer pictures with enhanced audio. For viewers with an HDTV set, the picture will be presented in a 16x9, or wide-screen format. Even for viewers who have not yet purchased an HD set, the improved picture quality will still be obvious.

"This investment is about giving all of our viewers the best possible viewing experience for local news. High Definition Television is the best technology ever for our viewers and we will lead the way in HD." said John Remes, president and general manager of KARE 11.

With the launch of the HDTV broadcast, KARE 11 News will also unveil a new state-of-the-art news set.

"I think you're going to see some dramatic changes when you tune in. The picture is spectacular and the sound is better. It is truly the look of the future. The studio set will be dramatically different; it is designed to showcase our commitment to both news-gathering and to local weather," commented Tom Lindner, Vice President News Director at KARE 11.

The move to HDTV news makes KARE 11 one of a handful of stations in the country that has made the move.

"To our knowledge, there are less than twelve local stations in the country that are now broadcasting in HD. We believe our viewers deserve the opportunity to experience the best that television has to offer," commented Remes.

For the first time, NBC will be presenting the Winter Olympics in high-definition. KARE 11's launch date is timed to take advantage of a growing audience that is already watching high-definition broadcasts of network sports and entertainment programming. An increasing number of sporting events, including the return of the NFL to NBC, will also be available in high definition.

"The timing couldn't be better for KARE 11 News to take this step," said Remes. "Instead of waiting for more homes to purchase HD sets, our choice is to lead the transition."

Gannett Co., Inc. is a leading international news and information company that publishes 102 daily newspapers in the USA, including USA TODAY, the nation's largest-selling daily newspaper. The company also owns more than 800 non-daily publications in the USA and USA WEEKEND, a weekly newspaper magazine. Gannett subsidiary Newsquest is the United Kingdom's second largest regional newspaper company. Newsquest publishes more than 300 titles, including 17 daily newspapers, and a network of prize-winning Web sites. Gannett also operates 21 television stations in the United States and is an Internet leader with sites sponsored by its TV stations and newspapers including USATODAY.com, one of the most popular news sites on the Web.

Source: KARE 11

CONTACT: John Remes of KARE 11, +1-763-797-7254

-------
Profile: intent