Chum Television's flagship station, Citytv Toronto, said this week it will broadcast its news in HD using the Synergy 4 MD-X digital production switcher from Ross Video, starting in September. Ross Video, a Canadian firm, has supplied Chum stations with an array of other digital and analog products for many years.

Citytv Toronto is on track to likely become the first daily local newscast in Canada to broadcast in HD, said Chum. Installation of the Ross OverDrive production control system and the digital production switcher is targeted for completion by late summer. Chum's programs to be aired in HD include "BT-Breakfast Television," "Cityline," "CityNews at Noon," "CityNews at Six" and "CityNews Tonight."

Chum Television also invested in several Ross Video digital production switchers for its A-Channel Barrie, A-Channel Ottawa and A-Channel London. The Barrie and Toronto services both use OverDrive production control systems, which allow the technical director to be in direct command of video servers, audio mixers, robotic cameras and other devices, without the need for additional tech staff.