Nashville, Wichita Stations Going Local HD

The next time Dorothy and Toto return from the Land of Oz, they'll have one more thing to look forward to in Kansas—local HD news. In Wichita (DMA no. 69) KWCH-TV said it plans to begin airing its local news and public affairs sometime in October. The CBS affiliate, which said it will be the first Kansas-based broadcaster to go local HD, will transmit in 1080i.

Station Manager Joan Barrett said her KWCH-TV staff and viewers know that "high definition is the future, and we want to bring our viewers the best in audio and video along with the most trusted local news brand in the market," according to the Wichita Business Journal.

Meanwhile, WSMV-TV, the NBC outlet in Nashville (DMA no. 30), made the local HD switch last week with an early evening broadcast. The station belongs to Meredith Corp.

Currently there are about 130 broadcasters airing local news and other local content in HD in at least 65 markets, according to sister publication Television Broadcast.