CBS Detroit adds virtual production environment for weather

CBS Detroit has debuted its iteration of the augmented and virtual reality production studio.

The new setup had its first on-air appearance April 20, 2026, during the station’s 5 p.m. newscast. 

WWJ chief meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey used the technology to present an immersive weather forecast. 

“Having seen firsthand how AR/VR strengthens local journalism, it’s especially meaningful to bring this technology to Detroit,” said Jennifer A. Lyons, regional president and general manager of CBS Detroit and CBS Chicago, in a station. “It powerfully enhances storytelling – making complex information clearer, more engaging and more immersive – while allowing us to elevate how we explain, visualize and connect with the communities we serve.”

To create the setup, CBS’s television group invested in installing a large chroma key volume along with the technology backbone to power features such as camera tracking and rendering the virtual environments.

“Detroit has always been a place of innovation and creativity, and this investment aligns with that legacy,” said Kennan Oliphant, station manager and vice president of news at CBS Detroit, in the statement. “Being the only station in the market using AR (and) VR technology allows us to push forward with journalism that is modern, thoughtful and focused on the community we serve.”

WWJ will expand its use of the facility in the coming months to include sports and other content, according to the station.

This debut follows in the footsteps of other CBS-owned stations, which have been gradually getting similar setups. 

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Some stations, including WBBM in Chicago, use the space primarily for weather and select other segments, while core newscast content originates from a traditional studio set. Others, however, such as KTVT in Dallas–Ft. Worth, Texas, also use it most local news production, even going to the point of only having a small hard scenic set. 

While a variety of virtual environments can be used, CBS relies heavily on the strategy of using similar 3D modals for all of its properties, typically depicting a large, circular space with large windows overlooking exterior scenery. Virtual accents include wood-slatted and oversized CBS eye motifs.

There are options for virtual on-set video screens to showcase content behind talent, while the virtual floor can also serve as a giant canvas for showcasing weather maps or other content.

There have also been sports-themed spaces that multiple stations used.

Both ABC and NBC-owned stations have also been investing more in virtual production, though in varying degrees. NBC has chroma key volumes at several of its properties — with more in the works. 

ABC-owned stations, on the other hand, have also installed physical LED volumes with roll-down chroma key panels installed as backup in the event of a technical issue. ABC as a network has also embraced physical LED volumes and sets with large video walls to create on-air looks, including through the use of virtual set extensions. 

Much of “Good Morning America,” for example, is produced in a hybrid studio that includes LED video panels on the walls and floor combined with hard scenic elements and coordinating VSEs. 

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CBS News has had an LED volume inside of its headquarters since 2025, which has served as home for two versions of “CBS Evening News” as well as streaming productions. In some cases, virtual AR elements are also included when shooting on the volume, often in front of VSEs. The network has also used the space to product immersive segments in a space with topical graphics surrounding talent.