Add CBS Stations and the over-the-air television channels owned by The E.W. Scripps Co. to the broadcast entities that have committed to bringing viewers unique content tied to the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
For the Paramount Skydance unit that includes stations in markets ranging from Baltimore to the San Francisco Bay Area and from Miami to Chicago, CBS Stations intends to cover “America 250” by taking advantage of its big investment in streaming and immersive AR/VR technology “to tell the nation’s story through the lens of the communities that helped shape it.”
From a market-by-market basis, CBS Stations have put the wheels in motion on the following plans:
- “Tri-State 250: Our Legacy of Liberty “sees CBS New York explore revolutionary-era landmarks and defining moments across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, from George Washington’s farewell to his officers to the reading of the Declaration of Independence that sparked the toppling of King George III’s statue.
- Through its year-long “Founded in Philly” franchise, CBS Philadelphia highlights the city’s central role in America’s founding, bringing viewers inside the places, people and innovations that helped shape the nation.
- CBS Detroit is showcasing Michigan’s lasting impact on America through stories spanning the automotive revolution, the Underground Railroad, Motown Records and the Civil Rights Movement.
- CBS News Bay Area is telling America’s founding story exploring the arrival of Spanish settlers in Alta California in 1776 and using immersive AR/VR technology to recreate indigenous life during that era.
- CBS News Chicago is examining how the city’s industrial roots, iconic brands and spirit of innovation helped shape America’s growth and continue to influence its future.
- CBS Boston is developing original local reporting that spotlights New England’s foundational role in the Revolutionary era and the region’s enduring influence on the American story.
For Scripps’ stations, “extensive coverage plans” in the leadup to America’s 250th birthday are being guided by the company’s “We Create Connection” vision.
For Scripps EVP/Media Broadcast Operations Dean Littleton, “America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to connect neighbors, share stories that inspire pride in our country and reaffirm the freedoms that make those stories possible. Scripps has been that connection point since 1878. Our coverage will not only mark the milestone in our nation’s history but also reflect the very mission on which we were founded: to give light and the people will find their own way.”
Anchored by special events anchor Alisyn Camerota, Scripps News will produce a 60-minute special to air on July 4 which will celebrate the people that embody the spirit of America. The program will combine standout local reporting with in-depth national storytelling and will be available across all Scripps local stations and Scripps News Group streaming platforms.
Scripps’ local television stations across the country will bring viewers original stories from the communities they serve, with coverage that will “capture local traditions, events and perspectives — from small-town parades and concerts to historical reenactments and civic ceremonies — highlighting how America 250 celebrations are bringing people together and showcasing the resilience and innovation at the heart of the American experience.
Additionally, Scripps has launched a dedicated “America 250” digital hub on all Scripps local station websites and ScrippsNews.com, offering event information, coverage highlights and stories from communities across the country.
