The newsrooms of both WGGB-TV ABC 40 (FOX 6) and WSHM-LD CBS 3 completed their combined rebranding today as they launched "Western Mass News" from a brand net set at their Springfield, MA studio.
The move of CBS 3, and their merger with ABC 40, has been in the works since Meredith Corporation officially took over ABC 40 in October 2014. CBS 3 moved from their offices at Monarch Tower in downtown Springfield to WGGB's studios on Liberty Street. “Bringing these stations together will enable us to bring more resources to our news coverage, more unique content to our viewers and more choices for our advertisers,” said Western Mass News Vice President / General Manager Klarn DePalma.
The new set, designed by FX Design Group, maintains the same look as the set at sister-station WFSB-TV CBS 3 in Hartford, CT that launched in January. The set includes a main anchor area, weather center and two stand-up locations for reporters. Like the set at WFSB, the set walls mostly while, and contain color-changing LED panels.
With the upgrade comes a new logo, new music and a new graphics package. The music and graphics package were what WFSB was using before their transition to the CBS O&O package in January. The newscasts on both stations maintain the same look and feel, with the only difference being their individual channel logo appearing with the time and temperature.
- ABC 40 In the Morning will air live for an additional two hours from 7am-9am on FOX 6 instead of airing a repeat of the earlier broadcast on ABC 40
- The weekday 6pm newscasts and the daily 11pm newscasts will simulcast on both CBS 3 and ABC 40
“It truly is an exciting time in Springfield and throughout Western Massachusetts,” said Western Mass News Director Patience Hettrick. “Our team has been working extremely hard to create a unique and powerful brand to serve our viewers.”
Earlier today, Hettrick gave New England One a tour of the new set and combined newsroom. You can take a look at those behind the scenes pictures below, as well as some images from the noon newscast on ABC 40.
NEWS SET
http://www.newenglandone.com/local/springfield/772-a-look-at-the-merger-and-rebranding-of-wggb-wshm.html#sigProId44c813c493
GRAPHICS PACKAGE
http://www.newenglandone.com/local/springfield/772-a-look-at-the-merger-and-rebranding-of-wggb-wshm.html#sigProId21f9312387
WEATHER PRESENTATION
http://www.newenglandone.com/local/springfield/772-a-look-at-the-merger-and-rebranding-of-wggb-wshm.html#sigProId524b720c41
BEHIND THE SCENES
http://www.newenglandone.com/local/springfield/772-a-look-at-the-merger-and-rebranding-of-wggb-wshm.html#sigProId6e1f5ae7fe
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