DORAL, FLA. — Just in time for NCAA March Madness — and talk at the upcoming 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas — CBS News & Stations is readying the formal unveiling of a state-of-the-art augmented reality/virtual reality studio at its WFOR-4 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale.
The unofficial debut of the new studio comes Sunday (3/16) at 7:30pm Eastern, with an introduction from WFOR Sports Anchor Mike Cugno on a 30-minute streaming special focused on the 2025 college basketball tournaments for men and women. It will be seen on the CBS Miami stream and FAST channel.
For WFOR-4 viewers, the AR/VR set, first championed at co-owned KPIX-5 in San Francisco, will come alive during the 11pm newscast’s weather segment, with Chief Meteorologist Ivan Cabrera showcasing its benefits.
Then, an 11:30pm “March Madness” segment will give broadcast viewers a taste of what was shared on the CBS Miami digital channel earlier in the evening.
Come Monday, CBS Miami’s weather team will integrate AR/VR technology into daily forecasts.
“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and delivering an unparalleled viewing experience,” said CBS Miami President/GM Kim Voet. “By integrating AR/VR technology into our broadcasts, we are redefining how South Floridians engage with news, sports and weather.”
Across the NCAA tournament, CBS Miami will continue incorporating AR/VR-enhanced segments into newscasts, using the “March Madness” package available to all CBS stations.
Throughout the tournament, the “bracket” will grow upwards, highlighting team advancements, key moments and player profiles in “an engaging, visually striking format” heralded by CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital President Jennifer Mitchell.
“CBS Miami is the sixth of our stations to launch this innovative technology,” she said. “This cutting-edge approach allows us to bring stories to life in a way that is more immersive, dynamic and visually compelling than ever before. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this evolution and can’t wait for our viewers to experience it firsthand.”
CBS stations in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Denver are already using AR/VR tools to enhance their respective weather coverage.
