Tag: cnn hudson yards

CNN Adapts to News Cycle in Real-Time with Vizrt

March 24, 2020

CNN underwent a complete facility redesign when they relocated New York headquarters to Hudson Yards in 2019. Not only did they upgrade both their studios and offices, but they also completed an internal systems overhaul. We helped them combine cutting-edge technology with the ability for real-time in-studio adjustments from tracking anchor desks, movable scenery, and over 6,000 square of LED wall.

With brand new technology from Vizrt, CNN can now transcode data tiles in seconds that would have previously taken 2 hours to complete. Shawn Mckeever, senior systems engineer with CNN’s Broadcast IT Advanced Systems Group elaborates, “The days of the static studio are gone. Movement and text in the wall keep viewers engaged and overall present a better product.”

This switch from SDI to SMPTE ST 2110 allows for incredibly high speeds to display news graphics, animations, cityscape scenery, beauty shots, and virtual video monitors for remote guests.

Because Vizrt installed 10,000 fiber optic runs in the new Hudson Yards space, CNN is set up to stay ahead of the curve as broadcast technology continues to advance. Check out this case study from Vizrt for a technical look at CNN’s massive systems’ upgrade.

Check out live footage of this technology in action below:

Versatile CNN Studio 19x Hosts Town Hall on Coronavirus

March 11, 2020

In the wake of a global outbreak of COVID-19, CNN hosted a town hall entitled “Coronavirus: Facts and Fears” in Studio 19x to highlight everything known about the pandemic. Studio 19x in CNN’s Hudson Yards headquarters was designed to be re-purposed for town halls on important breaking news topics. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta mediated the televised two hour special event on Thursday, March 5th.

The two hosts mediated discussions from health experts and community members, as well as CNN correspondents across the globe. Guests were able to connect directly with those correspondents in studio via satellite video live feed onto LED screen surrounding the stage. They responded to questions on testing, confirmed cases, states of emergency, preventative measures, and legitimacy of data. The set’s technology can bring together correspondents and experts at this centralized Studio 19x location in New York City and connect them with viewer to give helpful and live saving information in real time.

The scenic design placed the hosts on a central, circular LED platform surrounded by audience seating. LED walls are positioned on an inner, oval-shaped track to define the content-rich yet closely scaled perimeter. Monitor stacks and rotating LED screens display the focused COVID-19 discussion topics with audience seating in the round to allow for participation in an intimate setting, especially highlighting the seriousness of this topic. Throughout the broadcast, the hosts moved from standing to seated high back chairs as more guests were added.

For clips and all the questions discussed in the town hall, check out CNN’s live updates on COVID-19.