WFTS-TV First in Tampa to Broadcast Local News in High Definition

WFTS-TV First in Tampa to Broadcast Local News in High Definition

ABC Action News leads the way

TAMPA, Fla., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- WFTS-TV/ABC Action News is Tampa's first television station to broadcast its local news in High Definition (HD). This allows viewers to see a sharper and clearer picture. Coupled with enhanced audio, the viewing experience is improved dramatically, regardless of what type of television set (high definition or standard) you watch.

"We are leading the way for all news viewers in Tampa with the most significant advancement of viewing technology since color TV," said WFTS-TV Vice President and General Manager Bill Carey. "We have been recognized with numerous awards for leading the way in breaking news, investigative journalism, and our weather forecasting and coverage, so it is only fitting that we are the first in Tampa to offer viewers a superior newscast. It was also a distinct honor to have our main anchor, Brendan McLaughlin, who anchored our station's first newscast, usher in this new era with our 6 p.m. news today."

All ABC Action News newscasts will now be produced and transmitted in HD. Viewers with HDTV sets will see the newscast in a 16:9 wide-screen format and will enjoy a distinctly better picture. Viewers can receive the HD broadcast signal for free through their antennas, or, if they subscribe to cable, fiber, or satellite service, through those providers as well. Viewers with standard TV sets (4:3 ratio) will notice improved pictures too.

WFTS-TV's Director of Engineering Jack Winter says "the planning and work behind the scenes to convert our newsroom studio and control room is an all-consuming task and we are proud our team of engineers and station staff are the first to serve Tampa Bay viewers in HD."

WFTS-TV is the ABC affiliate serving the greater Tampa Bay area, the twelfth largest TV market in the country, and the largest in the state of Florida. It now joins ABC sister affiliate WFTV in Orlando as the only two stations in the state broadcasting local news in HD.

The E. W. Scripps Company (www.scripps.com) is a diverse and growing media enterprise with interests in national cable networks, newspaper publishing, broadcast television stations, interactive media, and licensing and syndication.

The company's portfolio of media properties includes: Scripps Networks, with such brands as HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great American Country; daily and community newspapers in 17 markets and the Washington-based Scripps Media Center, home to the Scripps Howard News Service; 10 broadcast TV stations, including six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent; Scripps Interactive Media, including leading online search and comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch; and United Media, a leading worldwide licensing and syndication company that is the home of PEANUTS, DILBERT and approximately 150 other features and comics.

Source: WFTS-TV

CONTACT: Bill Carey of WFTS-TV, +1-813-354-2801

Web site:

http://www.scripps.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information and to schedule an interview, call contact.

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