Two news studios redesigned for NBC 5 Chicago

With high-definition broadcasts becoming the norm, Chicago’s NBC 5 recently updated its two news sets to conform to the high definition format that provides a wider view of the studios.

CSSI’s Design Manager Tom Ryan took the lead in breathing new life into the two studios: “Studio 5,” the street-level studio for its daytime broadcasts, and the main studio in Chicago’s NBC tower from which the station’s 10:00 p.m. news broadcast originates.

The NBC Tower studio was revamped to give it a more modern look. The changes there include a new top for the anchor desk with recessed openings for the anchors’ monitors and keyboards, and “modesty” panels that extend from each side of the desk now that the audience gets a wider view of the studio. A new center light box with NBC’s logo adds to the studio’s refreshed look.

“Studio 5” underwent a larger makeover that includes a completely new anchor desk to accommodate a wider view of the studio by the viewing audience. The new desk mimics the look of the Tower desk but is more substantial, with layered and curved panels that give it a more solid feel. The elevated wings of the desk allow reporters to walk up to and be at eye-level with the anchors who are seated.

The entire studio’s layout was redesigned, including shifting the anchor desk to a corner location to open up the space and provide more dynamic views through the studio’s windows. New cabinets and countertops with moveable backing panels give new options for the frequent demonstrations featured during the live morning broadcast.

Chicago news studio makes headlines of its own after crash

After a car drove directly into its news studio during a live broadcast, ABC 7 Chicago quickly mobilized CSSI to rebuild several elements which CSSI had originally built for the set two years ago.

Necessary repairs included fixing damage done to rolling carts, a bookshelf and a platform.

Skating finals glide along

CSSI’s work was featured recently in two nationally televised U.S. Figure Skating events. For the first event, a preliminary competition, U.S. Figure Skating hired CSSI to provide the etched acrylic logo panel and the backdrop for the “kiss and cry” area where skaters await their scores.

For the 2008 championships we designed and provided two printed fabric backdrops, two “ice sculptures,” an acrylic logo, a bench, equipment covers and carpeting for the “kiss and cry” area.