WMAR Debuts New Set, Weather System

Tonight, E.W. Scripps-owned ABC affiliate WMAR Baltimore (DMA 26) will debut an entirely new, state-of-the-art news set.

This introduction of this more interactive working news set has been the result of two-and-a-half years of collaboration between Scripps and Park Place Studios. Some highlights include: 49 state-of-the-art monitors for superior news story presentations, a 400 square-foot center dedicated to social media, and a new storm watch work area with 10 workstations for the weather team.

“WMAR’s advanced ‘digital news center’ studio represents thousands of hours of teamwork from the WMAR team,” says WMAR Production Manager Rob Brockmeyer. “It is with great pride that we will unveil the next generation of news and audience interaction.”

To go hand in hand with this new set, the station will also introduce a vastly updated and more interactive weather system. The WSI Max System will provide WMAR meteorologists with what the station says are “the most advanced sets of weather data, production tools and visualization features for any forecast platform ever created.” 

“It’s very exciting to bring an entirely new generation of forecasting technology to Maryland and the Baltimore region,” says Chief Meteorologist Wyatt Everhart. “The viewers of ABC2 will immediately notice the difference, not just in terms of the stunningly realistic visuals this system produces, but also the incredible power it gives each ABC2 meteorologist to have so much vital weather information right at their fingertips, displayable in a matter of seconds.” 

Finally this week will also mark a third major milestone for the station, the first year anniversary of In Focus. On Tuesday, April 21, it will be one year since WMAR made the shift away from a traditional 6 p.m. newscast in favor of something completely new to the Baltimore area.

Originally described as “a unique local news program dedicated to original and in-depth reporting and investigations,” In Focus continues to hold to this description.

“It’s a great week for Baltimore area news viewers,” says WMAR VP-GM Bill Hooper.