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Oklahoma City station launches 'best local news set in the country'

OKLAHOMA CITY — KWTV-TV, the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City, launched its new FX Group-designed and built set Sunday, Nov. 5.

“We have launched, without a doubt, the best local news set in the country. It's likely in the top few of any kind of set in the country,” said Randy Cassimus, director of production at KWTV-TV, home of the nation’s top-rated late newscast.

“We’re thrilled to have been a part of this exciting project,” said Mack McLaughlin, CEO and creative director of FX, an Emmy-winning scenic design and fabrication firm based in Orlando.

The stunning wraparound set gives KWTV-TV maximum flexibility for its newscasts, says Bill Brown, partner at The Coaching Company.

“KWTV's flexible studio environment offers three different desk looks and more than three dozen different shooting positions,” Brown explained. In addition to the traditional anchor chairs, the set includes multiple standup locations that make use of high-tech flat panel and DLP monitors. The carefully-designed set also gives the station multiple options for cross, wide and bump shots.

In addition to the movable anchor desk, the set features two faux balconies, a curved metal staircase, interview set that doubles as a sports anchor area and weather center that’s a set within a set.

“The crowning achievement is KWTV's new severe weather command area,” said Brown.

The centerpiece of the weather center is an eye-catching cone built from sleek metal and a dozen flat panel monitors. In addition to multiple meteorologist presentation areas, the set also includes plenty of practical workstations and large-format monitors, allowing forecasters to interact with weather graphics.

The new KWTV-TV set is the result of months of planning, design and construction — giving KWTV-TV its first new set in over ten years.

“The project arrived on-time, on-budget and over the top in ‘wow-factor’,” said Cassimus. “FX delivered from start to finish and our entire team is extremely pleased with the results of our decision to work with them.”

“It's 2,000 square feet of beautiful functionality,” said Brown.

For more information about FX Group, call Kathy Mosher-Boulé at 407-877-9600 or