Archive for the ‘Cable News’ Category

CNN.com adds 360-degree Haiti feature

CNN.com has added a 360-degree view of Haiti. The unique part of this view is that it was taken from a vehicle driving down a street and users can pause or even pan around while the clip is still moving.

It’s an interesting application that’s does do a good job of “placing” the user at the scene of the news, but could benefit from a bit more information. One possible improvement would be “hot spots” where users can click or hover over to get more details. For example, perhaps a location where a rescue took place.

Check out the interactive clip here.

New CNN Center studio?

NewscastStudio has received pictures from a tipster of what he or she says is the new CNN studio in Atlanta.

Inside Cable News previously reported CNN is constructing a new set for its domestic network at its Atlanta headquarters. In addition, a large part of the current newsroom, located camera right, has been walled off for months now, though it’s not clear if this is the location of the new studio.

The set in the photos appears to be very large with many modern elements. The set looks like it will be heavily stocked with technology, including a large array of flat panel monitors in one area.

Though not confirmed to be of CNN, there is one key clue in the photos: a construction cone stenciled with “C-N-N.”

Continue reading for more pictures. (more…)

MSNBC.com adds ad options to video player

MSNBC.com has added advertising preferences to some of its online video clips, giving users the option to see fewer ads or shorter ads, as shown above.

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ESPN to launch 3D network

You’ve heard the phrase “going HD.” Is “going 3D” going to be next big thing?

ESPN seems to think so. The network has announced plans to launch a 3D network that will carry 85 live events a year.

The network faces many challenges for entering: namely the fact that a special television and 3D glasses are required to view the 3D video feeds.

Oops at MSNBC

Via Inside Cable News

‘Ed Show’ now originating from ‘news nook’

MSNBC’s “The Ed Show,” which debuted using the main MSNBC studio, has switched to broadcasting from one of 30 Rock’s so-called “news nooks.”

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Central Florida News 13 debuts new graphics

Central Florida News 13, the 24 hour cable news network owned by Brighthouse Cable, has debuted new graphics, replacing its former dated look.

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New CNN.com boasts more traffic

Broadcasting & Cable has the traffic numbers for CNN.com since the redesign:

Early numbers are in following CNN.com’s major redesign in late October, and the results look promising.

In November 2009, CNN.com served 89.1 million video streams, a 6% increase over last year. CNN says that beat no. 2 MSNBC digital by 2.6 million streams and no.3 Yahoo! news by 36.9 million streams.

In terms of time spent watching video, CNN Digital brought in 215.5 million minutes that month.

Read More on B&C

CNNI updates Hong Kong set

CNNI’s Hong Kong bureau has debuted an updated set to match the refreshed sets in Atlanta and London.

The set had no structural changes made to it, but all graphics were changed out to new blue colored ones. Thanks to CNN Observations for the pictures and tip. Another picture after the jump. (more…)

MSNBC adds social media toolbar to some stories

We noticed MSNBC.com has added a floating social media sharing toolbar to some story pages.

The toolbar provides one-click access to share content via Newsvine (an MSNBC-owned property), Facebook, Twitter and via e-mail.

MSNBC upgrades online video player

MSNBC has unveiled some upgrades and a new look to the embedding and sharing portions of its online video player.

The new tools allow users to embed video clips at different sizes and adds integrated Twitter, Facebook and Newsvine sharing tools. Users can also trim clips to custom lengths using sliders similar to those seen on Hulu.

The size options provide a good level of flexibility for bloggers and other online publishers who may require a certain size to fit their layouts.

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ESPN to build massive facility for World Cup coverage

ESPN has announced plans to build a 12,700 international broadcast center in South Africa for its coverage of next July’s FIFA World Cup.

Previously ESPN relied mainly on partner feeds, according to Broadcasting & Cable, but the network’s new emphasis on building an international footprint has made the matches the No. 1 priority for  executives back in Bristol, Conn.

The ESPN facility will include the technical backbone needed to provide multi-platform live and taped coverage of the games, including segments on SportsCenter and pre- and post-game coverage and halftime shows. There is also a live nightly program planned devoted to coverage of the day’s matches.

Never before has ESPN produced World Cup coverage from the field. In fact, this effort is second only to the ESPN-X Games in terms of staffers needed to make it possible — 300 in South Africa in comparison to the 500 needed for the X Games.

ESPN plans to build two sets in the Johannesburg area and have nine ENG crews scattered about the region’s various venues.