After a two-year transition process and $1 million spent on new equipment, KFDA-TV News Channel 10 in Amarillo launched their first high-definition broadcast on Feb. 22.

KFDA-TV, a CBS affiliate, owned by Drewry Communications Group, began the transition about two years ago by beginning the swap for high definition equipment and educating staff and team members about the new technology.

“Transitioning from standard definition to high-definition is very expensive and taxing on a TV station’s engineering staff,” Randy Ray, WT director of broadcast engineering, said. “Brett McClure [KFDA general manager] has done a great job leading his station through the process.”

They are the first local news television station in the West Texas area to broadcast in high-definition with other stations following close behind.

“The HD conversion had been bumpy, getting all the computers and other technological issues on the same page,” WT instructor and News Channel 10 early show anchor and executive producer Larry Lemmons said. “There have been hiccups, but we’re moving forward.”

High-definition will enhance the audience’s viewing experience by showing stronger details and a clearer picture of newscasts and weather reports. The weather equipment they purchased is the most extensive of all the new technology because the station believes it is an important factor in why people watch the news.

“If you simply look at the difference between visual quality of the three newscasts you’ll understand why it’s worth it,” Lemmons said.

“West Texas A&M was the first in the Texas Panhandle to go full HD; it’s good to see a quality station like KFDA join the ranks of an HD broadcaster,” Ray said. “I know they have been working toward this goal for some time.”