AR/VR Weather Coverage Launches Today, Aug. 31 with Chief Meteorologist Eric Fisher; Meteorologist Jason Mikell to Introduce Technology on “WBZ Mornings” Sept. 1

Chief meteorologist Eric Fisher rehearsing inside WBZ’s new AR/VR studio

Images of the AR/VR set here

Photo Courtesy: CBS Boston

SKIM (Story, Key Facts, Impact, More Below)

• Story – CBS Boston launches its AR/VR technology-driven studio today, Aug. 31, debuting immersive weather storytelling during the 5:00 PM newscast with chief meteorologist Eric Fisher and expanding to WBZ MORNINGS on Tuesday, Sept. 1 with meteorologist Jason Mikell.

• Key Facts – The approximately 1,470-square-foot studio (35 feet wide by 42 feet deep) marks CBS Boston as the 14^th CBS-owned station to deploy AR/VR technology. Initially focused on weather coverage, the station plans to expand the technology to sports later this fall.

• Impact – Developed by CBS Stations, AR/VR technology helps journalists visually explain complex weather events and news through immersive three-dimensional environments that provide viewers with greater context and understanding.

• More Below – Additional details about CBS Boston’s AR/VR launch and quotes from CBS Stations leadership are included in the full press below.

BOSTON – Aug. 31, 2026 – CBS Boston launches its new Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology-driven studio, bringing a new era of immersive weather storytelling to viewers across New England and marking the latest investment by CBS Television Stations in local journalism, innovation and audience engagement.

The AR/VR-enhanced weather experience will debut today, Aug. 31, during the station’s 5:00 PM newscast with chief meteorologist Eric Fisher. Viewers will get their first look at the technology as Fisher uses immersive visual storytelling tools to provide greater context and understanding of weather conditions impacting the region.

Meteorologist Jason Mikell will introduce the technology to morning viewers on Tuesday, Sept. 1, during WBZ MORNINGS, expanding the use of the platform across the station’s programming.

The new studio, the 14^th AR/VR installment across CBS-owned stations, spans 1,470 square feet (35 feet wide by 42 feet deep) and transforms the way weather and news stories can be presented by combining journalists with dynamic three-dimensional visual environments.

The technology allows meteorologists and journalists to better illustrate complex weather systems, severe storms and other stories through immersive graphics and interactive storytelling.

“At CBS Boston, our mission is to help viewers better understand the stories and weather conditions that affect their daily lives,” said Johnny Green, regional president and general manager of CBS Boston and CBS New York. “We have already been incorporating the technology in New York, and we have seen how it enhances our ability to explain complicated information in a way that is engaging, informative and easy to understand.”

“The expansion of AR/VR technology across CBS Television Stations reflects our continued investment in the future of local news,” added Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Television Stations. “We are excited to bring this capability to CBS Boston and audiences throughout New England.”

As part of a phased rollout, CBS Boston will initially use the technology for weather coverage, with plans to expand AR/VR storytelling into sports later this fall.

Frequently Asked Questions About CBS Stations AR/VR Technology

Question: What is CBS Stations announcing?

Answer: CBS Stations is expanding its proprietary Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology platform across its owned television stations. The technology supports immersive storytelling across weather, news and sports and helps journalists explain complex information through interactive visual environments.

Question: What does AR/VR stand for?

Answer: AR/VR stands for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. The technology combines journalists and meteorologists with digitally created environments, graphics and visualizations that appear to exist within the studio.

Question: Why is CBS Stations investing in AR/VR technology?

Answer: The initiative reflects CBS Stations’ ongoing investment in local journalism, innovation and audience engagement. The technology helps journalists provide greater context, improve understanding and enhance storytelling across broadcast, streaming and digital platforms.

Question: Why does AR/VR matter? I just want to watch my regular news.

Answer: AR/VR is a storytelling tool that supports journalism. It allows meteorologists, anchors and reporters to visually explain weather events, news stories and community issues in ways that help viewers better understand complex information. The reporting remains the same; the technology simply provides additional context and visual explanation.

Question: What is the primary benefit for viewers?

Answer: AR/VR helps viewers better understand stories by making information more visual, immersive and accessible. The technology enhances storytelling while providing greater clarity, context and engagement.

Question: Who developed the technology?

Answer: The AR/VR initiative was pioneered within CBS Stations. The original framework and operational blueprint were developed internally at CBS Bay Area and have since been scaled across the station group. The initiative is led by Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Television Stations.

About CBS Television Stations AR/VR Technology

CBS Television Stations has developed a proprietary Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology platform that enables immersive storytelling across weather, news and sports. The initiative originated at CBS Bay Area and has expanded across the station group as part of CBS Stations' commitment to investing in local journalism, innovation and audience engagement. The technology helps journalists explain complex stories through interactive three-dimensional environments, providing viewers with greater context and understanding. CBS Stations is the only television station group with AR/VR technology-driven studios deployed across its owned television stations.

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Media Contact:

Elita Fielder Adjei, SVP Communications, CBS Television Stations

Elita.adjei@paramount.com