John Corn
03-31-03, 05:18 AM
HDTV programming, meanwhile, is steadily moving beyond special-event status and becoming an increasingly regular part of the lineup on the leading broadcast networks, transmitted as digital simulcast feeds by the local affiliates that have the necessary equipment.
Among broadcasters, CBS and ABC have led the way. Back in October 1998, eight CBS affiliates carried the first widely available HDTV broadcast, the October 1998 launching of the space shuttle Discovery, with John Glenn aboard. The next month, ABC presented the movie "101 Dalmatians" in high definition, and in January 2000 broadcast the first Super Bowl in HDTV. Now, both networks offer all their prime-time scripted shows in the HDTV format, as well as many sporting events, including the current N.C.A.A. men's basketball tournament and next month's Masters golf tournament.
Indeed, because many people consider sporting events in HDTV to be perhaps the technology's most compelling application, enthusiasts and industry executives expect more households and sports bars to buy the sets now that ESPN has started its new HDTV channel. The service, called ESPN HD, had its debut tonight, carrying Major League Baseball's season opener between Texas and Anaheim.
ESPN HD plans to carry 100 professional baseball, basketball, hockey and football games live in the next year in the HDTV format, while "upconverting" all of ESPN's other programming to the technical equivalent of HDTV. ESPN is part of the Walt Disney Company.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/31/technology/31HDTV.html?pagewanted=all&position=top
Among broadcasters, CBS and ABC have led the way. Back in October 1998, eight CBS affiliates carried the first widely available HDTV broadcast, the October 1998 launching of the space shuttle Discovery, with John Glenn aboard. The next month, ABC presented the movie "101 Dalmatians" in high definition, and in January 2000 broadcast the first Super Bowl in HDTV. Now, both networks offer all their prime-time scripted shows in the HDTV format, as well as many sporting events, including the current N.C.A.A. men's basketball tournament and next month's Masters golf tournament.
Indeed, because many people consider sporting events in HDTV to be perhaps the technology's most compelling application, enthusiasts and industry executives expect more households and sports bars to buy the sets now that ESPN has started its new HDTV channel. The service, called ESPN HD, had its debut tonight, carrying Major League Baseball's season opener between Texas and Anaheim.
ESPN HD plans to carry 100 professional baseball, basketball, hockey and football games live in the next year in the HDTV format, while "upconverting" all of ESPN's other programming to the technical equivalent of HDTV. ESPN is part of the Walt Disney Company.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/31/technology/31HDTV.html?pagewanted=all&position=top