PBS NewsHour - new modern look to debut

FINALLY!!!!!! America's Newscast of record, PBS NewsHour is set to debut a new studio, graphics and theme on Monday. If this pic it anything to go by, it will be bright and modern. So far Im liking what Im seeing. Interested to see what the entire package will look like. Could this be a CSO set? Either that or an interest back drop. Hard to tell.
Troika LA has done the graphics and Edd Kalehoff is responsible for the new music. Im sure the NewsHour theme will be retained in some form. To get an idea of Kalehoffs productions here is the theme previously used for NBC Stations...http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/#3,1,211



PBS NewsHour is a newscast of great substance, but has been glacial in making presentation updates. They finally put both anchors on the same set and a few year ago created the modern looking logo..but it always seemed really conservative...it was a big deal when they added the screen between the anchors.
Previous set.
http://www.newscaststudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pbc_newshour_20.jpg
Listent to the current theme here.

Throwback Old School version.

Looks to be a physical set, just VERY minimalist.



https://twitter.com/NewsHour/status/622180362391810049]


Edit:

Here's a very brief panorama of their new studio from the broadcast's Instagram account:

https://instagram.com/p/5QUVcDgWHX/

It looks like something from France. Not that that's a bad thing.

The Washington Week Program On PBS is also getting some renovations done will be interesting to see if it is an overhaul or just an upgrade

http://www.newscaststudio.com/2015/07/13/washington-week-borrows-nbc-studio/

This is the set pre upgrade
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9bz2kdTFpuc/maxresdefault.jpg
they have been using the NBC’s Capitol view studio the past two weeks.
which looks like this.
http://www.newscaststudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Screen-Shot-2015-07-13-at-12.00.12-AM-594x321.png

only time will tell is what i will say

Tune in to the @PBS @NewsHour tonight for the unveiling of our new set, graphics, and music! http://t.co/DTiSNEazmj pic.twitter.com/ttI8rx8EQh

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) July 20, 2015

Very sparse!

Can't get the old Countdown set out of my mind.

Yes its sparse. But as its public television, they naturally dont have millions to throw away on elaborate sets and things. I think it was a wise use of public money to create a simple modern set with just enough tech to update it but not go overboard and alienate older viewers or seem wasteful. Though you cant please everyone. There will be whingers.

Sparse wasn't a value judgement. I like minimalist design. It looks like there are very narrow animated monitors towards the back of the set, which could create a really unique effect of depth.

It will all come down to the use of shots. Tight, creative angles could make the set look clean and crisp. The only concern is that it's PBS, so their conservative approach might hinder making proper use of the new design. Of course, we should just wait and see!

How does PBS News perform in the ratings?

Since PBS Newshour airs at different times (for example, in NYC on the three PBS stations WLIW21, NJTV and Thirteen/WNET run them at 6PM, 7PM and 8PM) they're not really counted in the ratings like CBS Evening News , NBC Nightly News and ABC World News Tonight are.

Here is the full broadcast of the new look PBS Newshour for July 20th, 2015, uploaded by PBS.