IN THE MEDIA
WTTG Sets Sights on Expanded Content with New D.C. Home
Diversified Plays Major Role in Helping Fox 5 DC Move into Its New Facility with Newsroom Upgrades and an IP-based Technical Infrastructure
After operating since 1966 at 5151 Wisconsin Ave. in Washington, “Fox 5 DC” is now occupying 60,000-square feet in Bethesda, Md. with a new facility that offers form and function while boasting an IP-based technical infrastructure based on the SMPTE 2110 IP routing standard. Diversified was there every step of the way to provide broadcast and AV design-build services for said infrastructure as well as the facility’s production control rooms, Technical Operations Center (TOC), newsroom, editing suites and varying studios, broadcast lighting, communications systems and IPTV.
One of the major design goals for the new building was to place the assignment desk, TOC and news sets right in the center of the newsroom instead of off to the side, as they were at 5151 Wisconsin. “We’ve put everything now in one spot, which makes for great communication and really streamlines the process,” says WTTG VP and News Director Paul McGonagle. “Everyone’s eyes are always on the heart of the newsroom.”
In addition to the main set, which has an elevated wraparound balcony, there is a second set in the newsroom as well as a dedicated AR/VR studio, which WTTG plans to use for weather coverage and specials in the future. There are two full-sized control rooms as well as a third, self-contained control room with a switcher and touchscreen display that can be run by a single operator.
WTTG also creates a lot of content for its digital platforms, and as such there is a dedicated podcast studio. The digital team is located directly off the assignment desk for easy access, and there is a large multi-viewer video wall tied to the central router that allows the digital team to see every feed coming into the TV stations. There are also more than 40 hanging displays installed throughout the newsroom so, regardless of where you’re sitting, you won’t miss a beat.
