High Definition television arrives at Fort Wayne’s market leader

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - WANE-TV in Fort Wayne announces a significant upgrade to its local product.  High Definition television! 

WANE has invested in the Fort Wayne market to bring viewers the clearest, most accurate product that technology can offer.  High Definition is the industry standard and offers picture resolution second-to-none. Viewers will experience WANE-HD starting Monday, September 10.

Photos: Construction of NewsChannel 15's New Studio

"The quality difference between standard definition and high definition is significant,” says WANE Chief Engineer Jeff Kracium. “Twice the linear resolution and a full 16 X 9 screen.  Viewers see the best pictures.  HD brings out the best in the color palette.”

“In this high tech world, it is all about delivering improvement,” says Alan Riebe, WANE Vice-President and General Manger.  “This major upgrade will greatly benefit WANE viewers with a new high definition environment for local news, weather, and sports.”

High Definition upgrades at WANE include news graphics, weather graphics, news music, cameras, equipment, and a state-of-the-art High Definition set.  All of these will be featured in WANE’s newscasts which include market-leading First News mornings, Noon news, First at 5pm, NewsChannel 15 at 6pm, Nightcast at 11pm and WANE’s weekend newscasts.

“Our team has been working diligently with the goal in mind to deliver additional value to our loyal viewers and advertisers,” Riebe went on to say. 

The set includes a sleek anchor desk for two and up to four newscasters, weather command hub, weather work center, and a new Studio 15.  The new Studio 15 features an attractive presentation area depicting iconic Fort Wayne scenes including the downtown high-rise buildings, Embassy Theater, and new Martin Luther King, Jr. bridge.  NewsChannel 15 will use Studio 15 in an almost unlimited fashion for feature guests on WANE’s exclusive weekend morning newscasts, political and election coverage, Highlight Zone, and more.

WANE newscasts have been presented from the WANE newsroom for the past month while construction crews prepared the WANE studio for HD. 

“None of this changes our commitment to our brand of news coverage in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio,” reports Ted Linn, WANE News Director.  “It just makes our product better, clearer, and brighter.  It’s just like getting a new car!” 

The most recognized difference may be WANE’s weather coverage.  “The graphics and images will be sharp and clear and brilliant,” says WANE Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Conder.  “This will benefit viewers with a clear and easy-to-understand forecast.  You will see weather images so much better that it will help you make good decisions about your family’s safety.  This is exciting for my team of meteorologists.”

“What a great step forward this is for Fort Wayne,” says WANE anchor Heather Herron. “We’ve been giving viewers the best coverage for years.  Now the technology helps us offer a market-superior product.”

“Heather and I are proud of the news coverage we provide you!”, says WANE anchor Mark Mellinger.  “Our reliability stays the same.  High Definition takes our coverage to a new level for you and, at the same time, matches the advances of our industry.  These are exciting times!” 

"Even I get in on the action,” boasts WANE Sports Director Glenn Marini.  “Local sports in High Definition!  The Highlight Zone in your living room like never seen before.  This clearly raises the quality of the local, local, local sports coverage we give you.”

WANE-HD starts Monday, September 10 ^th.