KTVA Debuts Stunning Newsroom and News Set!

Wednesday December 11, 2013

Anchorage, Alaska: An on-air news environment as versatile and stunning as the great Alaskan outdoors!

Alaska telecom giant GCI launched “the new KTVA,” the first television station in Alaska to broadcast local programming in high definition. The centerpiece of this state-of-the-art digital facility is a news set and content gathering environment designed and installed by Devlin Design Group.

“We have made a substantial investment bringing high definition programming to Anchorage. But it means nothing if the content and images are anything less than exceptional. The dazzling set designed by DDG jumps out of the screen and sits on the couch next to you.”
—Gary Donovan, COO & General Manager, KTVA

CBS affiliate KTVA is now the most advanced and sophisticated broadcasting facility in Alaska. In addition to blazing new trails in high tech, KTVA is also a community station that aims to exceed the expectations of the communities it serves.

When GCI decided to reinvent KTVA, they called Dan Devlin, Creative Director of Devlin Design Group, a forward thinking company, well-known and respected in the industry for their award winning design expertise.

“The Devlin Design Group designed an unbelievable set and an equally beautiful and versatile newsroom for KTVA. I used their designs to help recruit nearly twenty people from the Lower 48 to supplement our already terrific staff in Anchorage. Candidates found that a World Class environment, a state of the art studio and a cutting-edge newsroom were compelling reasons to want to relocate.”
—Burt Rudman, Executive News Director, KTVA

GCI handpicked DDG for guidance in all aspects of the concept, design and construction of this new media center. DDG became the overall concept integrator, providing insight and advice in all key areas such as selecting equipment integrator, graphics and music suppliers—choices all meant to compliment the visually stunning design of the news set environments designed by DDG.

“I’ve worked with Dan on previous sets and knew that his team was the right one for KTVA. DDG built a set that provides tremendous flexibility from morning show to late newscast. It’s a storyteller’s dream, and it really set a new standard for television news sets in Alaska…or maybe anywhere. We loved it so much, we purchased a jib to show it off during the newscasts.”
—John Tracy, President/CEO Bradley Reid Associates

In addition to being a dazzling HD set, it is a versatile, on-air news environment that includes a working weather center as well as a separate morning news talk show area.

The design of the set accommodates a variety of shots, all meant to enhance and highlight the talent. It also has the ability to display countless visual backgrounds as varied as Alaska and its people. This is made possible by the LED cube wall system which can display unlimited images and colors that will define the mood and setting of each program

DDG also designed and built a complete, digital newsroom that includes a working weather center, in addition to the one on the news set. The design of the second floor newsroom is consistent with the style and color scheme of the set and includes 180 degree views of the surrounding Alaskan landscape.

“GCI made it clear at the onset of this project that it was their priority to choose the right team to help them reinvent KTVA for the digital age. Devlin Design Group is proud to be a part of that team and congratulates KTVA and GCI on the successful launch of this exciting new era of content delivery in Alaska!”
— Dan Devlin, Creative Director, Devlin Design Group

For more information contact:
Steve Minium, Minium Media Strategies
sminium@miniumstrategies.com
859.282.7606