KCAL, the independent arm of the CBS-owned duopoly in Los Angeles, aired its 10 a.m. newscast on August 11, 2025, entirely from its extended reality studio. Morning anchor Chris Holmstrom touted this on social media as the market's first newscast produced using a virtual set. This utilizes an existing studio launched in June 2025. “It’s bold. It’s fresh. It’s never been done here before,” Holmstrom stated.
CBS-owned stations nationwide are installing large virtual studio facilities. These typically include a chroma key volume and specialized camera and tracking systems. In Los Angeles, the same news department serves both KCBS and KCAL, branding on-air as “KCAL News” since early 2023. The CBS News Los Angeles name is also used. Prior to the 10 a.m. newscast shift, the studio primarily handled weather and sports segments, mirroring many sister stations.
CBS News 24/7 employs a virtual studio, shared with New York’s WCBS, for its “CBS News 24/7 Primetime” newscast. This studio also features in “CBS Evening News.” “Evening” originates from an LED volume in Studio 47 at the network’s New York headquarters, using virtual set extensions. CBS News has a long history with chroma key technology, notably in “60 Minutes,” though on a smaller scale. “CBS News Sunday Morning” also uses a key wall for anchor intros, combining 3D renderings and real set photos. KTVT in Dallas–Ft. Worth, Texas, largely uses its green screen space, maintaining a small physical set. KCAL News’ future use of the virtual studio for other newscasts or as its primary format remains unclear. CBS News and Stations are rapidly expanding their AR and VR studios nationwide, exceeding other station groups, though others have similar setups.