Fox to broadcast 720p

[TerryC]

Sorry if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find anything on it. Some of you might be interested.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/25/business/media/25TUBE.html?ex=1057118400&en=2a3f8fe190b850b2&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[mnassour]

Folks, this is a big deal. Fox has previously refused to consider true HDTV programming and now it's promising 50% of the '04 schedule in 720P.

[Mike123abc]

Notice they said with the adoption of the broadcast flag. I wonder if the broadcast flag does not go in if they will suddenly stick with 480p?

[ibglowin]

<quote>Fox Television to Add HDTV to Primetime by Fall 2004</quote>


OH MY GOD!! This is incredible. And it's not April fools (I hope!) Man I can't wait to watch 24 in true HD! My wife will die at the thought of American Idol in HD.

Bring it on Rupert!

[DarrellP]

BUT! And this is a BIG BUT(T)! They announced they have NO PLANS TO SWITCH SPORTS TO 720P FROM 480P WIDESCREEN! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo.

[BobMurdoch]

My first instinct was excitement that I would finally see my NY Giants in HDTV. Oh well....

Still good news though.

[Cyclone]

I suspect that if we give sports some time, it will happen quicker than most suspect now.

[Joe Capitano]

Well, look at things this way. FOX doesn't have a Super Bowl to worry about until SB 39 in 2005. That gives them 19 months to make everyone 720p compliant (or better), and to iron out the wrinkles.

It'll all work out in the end.

BTW: it's CBS' turn this year.

[invaliduser88]

I guess they are finally coming off of their acid trip.

Any how, this is great news. Hopefully 24 is still around for broadcast in true HD.

[BobMurdoch]

I guess they are finally coming off of their acid trip.

Any how, this is great news. Hopefully 24 is still around for broadcast in true HD.

24 was renewed for a third season........

[DarrellP]

Well, look at things this way. FOX doesn't have a Super Bowl to worry about until SB 39 in 2005. That gives them 19 months to make everyone 720p compliant (or better), and to iron out the wrinkles.

It'll all work out in the end.

BTW: it's CBS' turn this year.
Yeah, but they already said they have no plans to convert Sports over to HD, so what's it matter if the entire country is 720p capable by then? Maybe Rupert will come out of his coma by 2005 and give us HD. :nono2:

Here's a clip stolen from here. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=275374)

Fox Says Yes to High-Def
Slates 50% of 2004 prime time for HD, though not sports
By Ken Kerschbaumer Broadcasting & Cable 6/30/2003


The Fox Network plans to offer 50% of its prime time programming in HDTV once it builds out its network operations to handle 720p. That's expected to be completed around Jan. 1, 2004.

"Once we build the infrastructure out in 720p," says Fox Networks Group President and CEO Tony Vinciquerra, "we'll begin broadcasting content if it's available in 720p."

Since the early days of the DTV transition Fox has served as the poster child of the "DTV doesn't mean HDTV" movement. A lack of viewers coupled with the high cost of outfitting stations for high-definition made the network reluctant to invest in an infrastructure that showed no promise of a return on investment. But, Vinciquerra says, the network sees some momentum that makes HD worth the investment.

"Until very recently, we haven't seen the impetus behind the digital transition to really warrant making the kind of investment necessary to go to this level," says Vinciquerra. "But because [FCC Chairman Michael] Powell and [Rep. Billy] Tauzin have gotten behind the DTV effort so strongly, it finally seems to be gaining traction. For the first time, we're optimistic that the transition is going to happen."

Prime time programming aside, many HD viewers are waiting for Fox Network 720p sports broadcasts. Vinciquerra says there are currently no plans to make the move from 480i widescreen production to 720p.

The network, he says, believes that the 480p broadcasts of sports are the best way to sell digital television sets because people get to see an uncompromised widescreen production. "We think the way to sell these TV sets is to put the best product you can put on the air, and that's the quality in the content of the product. It's not the difference between 480p and 720p."

[invaliduser88]

24 was renewed for a third season........

Yeah but, the story says that Fox won't start 720p until fall 2004. That's over a year away.