North American Affilliates/Network Set Design

KTVU has always been a calmer station. Especially since its a FOX O&O. They have completely different open than any other Fox owned station. Though they are saddled with the rubbish FOX lower thirds. Which are not on screen very much. The only think I like on the set is the desk. Not really impressed with much else. US sets are much brighter than in years past but the new trend of stacked stone is really getting on my nerves. And the metal trellis stuff to give it a sense of place is just last to me. This set really feels disjointed to me and the lighting design in my opinion isnt very good. Over all its not horrible, but its not great.

They look completely out of place with the intro and the new set.

At one point the graphics package was much more Foxified but they scaled it back quite quickly, although the lower thirds didn't change much. They have to be a bit careful with the Fox brand in the liberal bay area.

I assume the trellis is a reference to the Bay Bridge, but not sure it quite works. The ropes, which are meant to be a reference to the port of San Francisco, are also a bit odd.

WIVB 4 Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY launches new set music and graphics. The set is a similar to the set Nexstar has rolled out at other station most notably WISH 8 Indianapolis.


Sister station WISH 8 Indianapolis (for reference

Not quite sure how I missed this by almost a month (and apologies if it's been posted elsewhere and I missed that too!), but Fox's New York O&O, WNYW, finally has a new set after about 13 years.



More images on TVnewstalk - https://forums.tvnewstalk.net/topic/16909-wnyw-fox5-news-new-set-on-the-way-estimated-debut-may/page/4/.

KMSP 9 - Fox Minneapolis
Well this is certainly different, and especially from a Fox affiliate. Interesting. Unfortunately the trendy "brick" appears. Though this "white washed" look looks decent. I do like the depth of the set and the apposing angles. Not 100% sold on the desk. But I do like the shape. Defienite departure, placement-wise, from the norm.

Anvil-shaped anchor desk, anyone? Lots of local touches in the new set for WVTM - the NBC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama.



Image from Newscaststudio - more here:

https://www.newscaststudio.com/2019/08/29/hearst-wvtm-13-birmingham/

The idea for the Anvil shaped desk comes from the Statue of the Vulcan. The statue of the Vulcan stands right nexts to the station on Red Mtn overlooking the city. Notice the anvil and hammer on left side. (Many people joke about the seemingly exposed bum)

Birmingham is a historic steel-making city. I get the reason why they used it. But....
Overall not bad. Not sure about the 2 different "wood" flooring choices. The weather center is nice. Central Alabama gets quite severe weather and tornadoes so it think a proper weather set that would be on air for literally 4-6-7 or more at a stretch, is more than appropriate. They are a competitive tv weather market. Their CBS competitor just got a new set. Its hideous, it features a huge red brick arched window. Its super ugly. Im not a big fan of overly incorporating local elements, but WVTM did ok. The anvil is a little OTT though....
Heres the rest of the Newscastudio pics. Save you some time.

WJHL - Johnson City, TN
Very small market debuts a halfway decent set. Nexstart the station owner is notorious for doing it cheaply. Well they did a fairly decent job with this set.

That looks good for a relatively small market set. Also, I’m happy this thread is active again!

That is a good set. Surprised Nexstar had the budget for a third camera and robotics. A lot of there studios (particularly the Daleks which is what they’re called over at TVNewsTalk) just have two studios and a cheap pedestal.

Now that they have completed the acquisition of Tribune Media, will there be more changes in direction (assuming the board members of the former Tribune Media will join in).