JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- With its noon broadcast on Jan. 14, WJXT, the long-time ratings leader in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, launched the market's first high-definition newscast.

The 5 to 7 p.m. newscasts debuted in HD on Friday, Jan. 16, and Channel 4 rolled out the remainder of its newscasts in high definition over the next two weeks.

"WJXT has long been a leader in Jacksonville in bringing the latest in broadcasting technology to air," said Channel 4 Vice President and General Manager John Rafferty. “We are committed to providing the best viewing experience for our community. Being the first station to broadcast our news in Hi Def just reaffirms that commitment."

"Our job is to serve our viewers," said Maureen Ruddy-Baker, said the station's vice president and news director. "More and more of our viewers have high definition TVs. HD is yet another tool to help us provide the best pictures possible and enhance the quality of the news we deliver every day."

In addition to high definition cameras, WJXT feature new, enhanced graphics and theme music with each HD newscast.