CBS Miami will unveil its groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) studio on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. local time. WFOR sports anchor Mike Cugno will provide an introduction to the innovative technology. Later that evening, chief meteorologist Ivan Cabrera will deliver live weather updates from the studio during the 11 p.m. newscast, followed by an 11:30 p.m. “March Madness” segment.
The Next Weather team will integrate the studio technology into weekday forecasts starting the following day. “We are committed to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and delivering an unparalleled viewing experience,” said Kim Voet, president and general manager of CBS Miami, in a statement. “By integrating AR (and) VR technology into our broadcasts, we are redefining how South Floridians engage with news, sports and weather.”
Throughout the NCAA tournament, CBS Miami will utilize the studio's capabilities for AR and VR-enhanced segments, leveraging the “March Madness” package available to all CBS stations. This tool, branded “Center Court,” offers a unique visualization of the tournament, with the bracket dynamically growing to reflect team progress, key moments, and player profiles.
CBS has already implemented similar AR-VR studios at five other stations nationwide, primarily for weather forecasts. “CBS Miami is the sixth of our stations to launch this innovative technology. This cutting-edge approach allows us to bring stories to life in a way that is more immersive, dynamic and visually compelling than ever before. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this evolution and can’t wait for our viewers to experience it firsthand,” added Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital. The technology also facilitates seamless contribution to CBS News network and streaming programming.