After a bit of break to recover from NAB, we’re back with regular updates.

Today we posted two sets: WITI-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and WDIV-TV in Detroit, Michigan, and one graphics package, also from WITI-TV.

More great stuff is on its way so stay tuned.

It’s been a long journey, but NewscastStudio is now five years old.

NewscastStudio began as SetStudio, the home on the Web for set pictures, but since January it has become your home for creative newscast inspiration.

We’ve tweaked the blog page layout a bit to create a more streamlined look and organized content and links better.

Let us know what you think by commenting on this post.

KLAS-TV photos are now available in the SetStudio section of the site.

First of all, sorry about the homepage splash image being updated before KMBC-TV photos were online.

That said, the KMBC-TV photos are now available for viewing. And, once again, through our partnership with FX Group, we’re pleased to offer exclusive photos that aren’t offered anywhere else online.

We’re excited to announce we have some of the first photos publicly-available from WPEC-TV 12 CBS/WFLX-TV 29 Fox in West Palm Beach, Fla. Our advertiser, FX Group, has partnered with us to provide photos of some of its latest work before they appear on the FX site. Plus, we have twice the number of photos — giving you more looks at details and multiple angles.

To stay on top of future first looks from FX, subscribe to our e-mail newsletter or check this blog regularly.

Check out the photos here.

Starting Monday, NewscastStudio will be showcasing the industry’s top set design, graphics and music companies — all leading up to our coverage of NAB and RTNDA@NAB (more about that below).

In this series, we’ll profile the top firms in each category, giving you a look at their latest work. We also asked the companies to answer questions about their creative philosophy, style and upcoming projects for a unique perspective.

All stories in this series will be filed under the “NAB Preview 2008” category.

Over the next few weeks, there will be at least one new profile posted every weekday. We’ll also be posting any comments from the companies that come in — so be sure to check in often (a good way to stay on top of the updates is to subscribe to our RSS feed).

Plus, now that commenting is available on the blog, you can share your thoughts on the companies and work we profile.

The series will bring us right up to this year’s NAB and RTNDA@NAB coverage.

This year we’re excited to announce that NewscastStudio Editor Dak Dillon will be representing NewscastStudio at the shows. He’s already scheduled to check out some of the latest and greatest in the TV creative industry and will update the blog from the show.

By the way, this site’s fifth birthday is April 15, which is right in the middle of NAB…

For those of you on Internet Explorer, we’ve finally managed to fix some of the display issues with the site. Those pesky teal lines are gone and the shadowed boxes display correctly now…

As with any Web site, NewscastStudio is always evolving to respond to the needs of its users.

That said, you’ll notice a few changes:

• We’ve closed the forum. Our research and your feedback has shown that this wasn’t the kind of community you’re looking for. But don’t worry; we’re not killing the interactive nature of the site — see the next point for details.
• We’ve added commenting to the blog. To offset losing the forum’s interactivity, you’re now able to respond directly to our blog with your own comments. This doesn’t require any registration so sharing your opinion will be easy and fast. Commenting is now active on select past posts and will be live for most, if not all, posts from now on. Please note that comments do require approval before appearing on the site.
• We’ve tweaked some other elements of the blog. You’ll notice some minor design changes to the blog. In addition, we upgraded our blogging software for better performance and security.

Check out these new set photos:

• KTVT-TV 11 CBS, Dallas Texas
• KTXA-TV 21 Independent, Texas
• WVBT-TV 43 Fox, Norfolk, Virginia
• NBC Nightly News

What’s your idea of a “dream set”? RP screens galore? Flowing staircases and balconies? High-tech LED elements? Rotating anchor desk? More monitors than NASA mission control?

Remember, budget and space are no option — so think hard and creatively — and share your thoughts on this post.

When we relaunched as NewscastStudio earlier this year, one of the key things we promised was more updates, more often. We’ve made good on that promise by providing regular updates throughout the early part of 2008.

While we’re still working our way through the backlog of set photos that piled up during our redesign, we’re always looking for more materials. Click here to learn how to submit set photos.

Plus, don’t forget we are now posting screen grabs of news graphics packages, so be sure to send anything you have in. Click here for graphics submission instructions.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed in the past and we look forward to continuing the momentum o updatesf.