After 15 years downtown NBC 7 has moved to Kearny Mesa. Artie Ojeda has the first look.
NBC 7 San Diego / KNSD moved April 3 from its downtown location to a new state-of-the-art facility featuring the latest broadcast technologies and numerous energy-efficient elements.
NBC 7, San Diego’s media leader with the largest social following and the largest multiplatform digital audience, employs more than 140 people and offers more than 34 hours of local television programming each week.
Its broadcast center is now located in a new, 52,000 square foot, two-story building off of Aero Drive just west of Interstate 15.
“We are proud that NBC 7 has returned to Kearny Mesa, the neighborhood where the station aired its first newscast 50 years ago. The new facility is incredible and we’re excited to be producing our live, local newscasts from one of the most advanced broadcast centers in the country on behalf of our viewers,” said Richard Kelley, President and General Manager of NBC 7 San Diego / KNSD.
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The purchase of the new building was announced in June 2014 and groundbreaking was celebrated the following April.
The new building was designed to include a larger news studio and to provide room for the station to grow.
“Thanks to NBCUniversal’s investment, our news teams now have access to the best newsgathering tools to help them deliver the best-in-class news coverage that our viewers deserve and can count on,” Kelley said.
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NBC 7’s new home will be among the most advanced broadcast centers in the country, offering the market’s first 4K video wall – a multi-screen wall that is capable of displaying video and images across various types of layouts.
Building such a facility required 117 miles of ethernet and TV cable along with 13.6 miles of electrical cable.
A 200 KW solar rooftop system and parking lot make the facility one of the most environmentally-friendly news centers in the region.
Additional energy-efficient elements of the new facility include:
- A 250 KW natural gas fuel cell that emits low carbon electricity;
- A new, tightly-controlled efficient HVAC system that conserves electricity;
- Air-cooled chillers that are capable of using outside cold air to cool computer equipment;
- LED lighting all throughout the facility, including the news studios;
- Use of natural light in lieu of electric light by incorporating occupancy and sunlight driven lighting, solatubes and skylights and automatic shades that are light-sensor driven;
- A low-flow drip system for sprinklers that contains a smart irrigation controller; and
- Low-flow water devices, drought tolerant plants and ground cover.
San Diegans can see the new facility on NBC 7's newscasts beginning at 4:30 a.m. Monday - Friday.
