SBS will fully roll out an AI-XR (Extended Reality) studio system for its flagship newscast, SBS 8 News—the first time a main newscast in Korea has fully adopted the technology for daily use.
On February 25, SBS announced that a major visual overhaul of SBS 8 News will debut on March 3 as part of its spring overhaul.
The centerpiece of the upgrade is the concept of “infinitely expanding space powered by AI.” A standout feature is the introduction of next-generation AI spatial reconstruction technology known as Gaussian Splatting. While traditional 3D graphics require extensive manual work and long production times, this technology allows AI to instantly convert on-site footage into 3D data.
This enables real-world locations—such as Seoul City Hall Plaza and key election battlegrounds—to be recreated inside the studio as precise digital twins. Anchors can move beyond a flat studio set, walking across data-driven maps or delivering reports from lifelike, fully rendered environments, enabling immersive storytelling. Weather and sports segments will also feature high-quality graphics on par with U.S. specialty channels.
Yang Yoon-seok, head of SBS News, said, “Beyond flashy visuals, we aim to deliver a ‘visual innovation in journalism’ that helps viewers understand difficult topics and complex data quickly and intuitively—offering an entirely new viewing experience.”
The refreshed SBS 8 News launches March 3.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)