WBRE, WYOU To Launch HD Newscasts

Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced today that its Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. (DMA 54), duo of WBRE (NBC) and WYOU (CBS) will broadcast in full high definition beginning Monday, April 2.

Nexstar also announced that WBRE will expand its Eyewitness News programming to WYOU with two new half-hour broadcasts of Eyewitness News debuting exclusively on the CBS affiliate at noon and 7 p.m. weekdays.

The HD news programming follows investments by Nexstar including the purchase of new high-definition studio cameras, a completely redesigned HD studio and enhanced forecasting and weather presentation equipment as well as additional high-def infrastructure for production and master control operations.

Commenting on the move to full HD programming and the Eyewitness News expansion, WBRE VP-GM Bob Bee said: “Nexstar, and our overall operations at WBRE, WYOU and Pahomepage.com are committed to providing our local viewers with more news content where, when and how they want it, and with the award-winning Eyewitness News brand of quality journalism they have come to expect.”

Eyewitness News at Noon and Eyewitness News at 7 are two all-new HD broadcasts that will air weekdays exclusively on WYOU from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 7 to 7:30 p.m., respectively. WBRE’s Eyewitness News programming will simulcast as well on WYOU in full HD Monday-Friday from 5 to 7 a.m., and Monday-Sunday from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 11 to 11:30 p.m.

In addition, Eyewitness News will continue to air weekdays on WBRE at 11-11:30 a.m. and 5-6 p.m.

In addition to airing Eyewitness News, Nexstar’s community Web portal, PAhomepage.com will provide up-to-the-minute details of breaking news across Northeastern Pennsylvania as well as the weather forecast and radar feeds.