KDKA debuts fancy set

Today was the day!

At 4:00 p.m. Monday, KDKA-TV debuted its new Augmented/Virtual Reality studio — and what better way to show it off than with the weather?

Conveniently, Pittsburgh has provided plenty of rain and storms over the past few days, including today, giving KDKA an opportunity to demonstrate the new technology. The studio essentially surrounds the anchors with a large green-screen environment, allowing weather graphics and other virtual elements to become part of the presentation.

And if it looks right now like KDKA spent all this money just for the weather, they haven’t.

According to various sources, the station is introducing the new AR/VR capabilities in stages, allowing different departments time to learn and become comfortable with the technology. We understand the sports anchors are expected to begin using the AR/VR studio next month, with the main news anchors and reporters coming on board soon thereafter.

So, for now, weather gets to play with the new toy first.

And given Pittsburgh’s forecast for the next few days, ole Ma Nature is getting her hi-tech airtime!