CBS Los Angeles launches first immersive AR/VR studio in Southern California

On June 11, 2025, CBS Los Angeles launched groundbreaking augmented and virtual reality technologies with its new immersive studio, marking a first for Southern California. This innovation reflects CBS’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to enhance news storytelling. The immersive studio aims to revolutionize how news and weather coverage is delivered, allowing audiences to engage dynamically with stories rather than passively watching from afar. The AR/VR set will enable meteorologists to illustrate complex weather patterns with realistic 3D elements like clouds and storm systems, fundamentally changing weather presentations. Beyond merely informing viewers, the immersive capabilities will allow CBS Los Angeles to represent Southern California's unique weather environments, showcasing the distinct microclimates throughout the region at various times of day. Tim Wieland, regional president and general manager of CBS Los Angeles, emphasized that storytelling lies at the heart of their operation, and this AR/VR studio is a crucial part of that mission. By offering a more interactive experience, they seek to foster a better understanding of the weather and strengthen community ties through relatable visuals. This innovative studio represents the evolution of traditional broadcasting, responding to the ongoing demand for more engaging and informative content from news organizations. As audiences increasingly seek interactive experiences, CBS is positioning itself at the forefront of this technological shift, using its new studio to not just inform but also immerse viewers in the dynamic realities of their local environments. The launch of this AR/VR studio indicates CBS's larger strategy to utilize cutting-edge technology across their network, which has already seen implementations at CBS Bay Area and in national broadcasts. In summary, the unveiling of the AR/VR studio at CBS Los Angeles signifies a transformative step in local broadcasting, aiming to enhance viewer engagement through novel visual storytelling techniques. As the network embraces sophisticated technologies, communities in Southern California are offered a fresh perspective that not only informs but engages with the natural subtleties of their local climates.