High-definition TV: It'll get there, eventually

[Gregg Lengling]

By Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Those who had hoped that this fall would be the breakthrough season for high-definition TV will have to wait a little longer.


 


The major networks are providing more prime-time programming than ever in the pristine digital format with a widescreen picture five times sharper than regular TV. Among new recruits is the highly demanded return of ABC's Monday Night Football in HD.


HDTV is also available to more cable customers, with 112 markets being served by at least one system with HD, more than double last year's figure. Cable networks such as Bravo are ramping up to debut HD channels by year's end.


But among major broadcasters, Fox will have no HD until next fall, when it plans to produce half its prime-time programs in the format. The WB Network, which has more than doubled its HD offerings this year, is delivered digitally by few broadcast affiliates and cable operators. UPN offers no HD at all.


And for users, receiving the shows has gotten no easier. There are no final agreements yet between broadcasters and cable systems on carrying networks' digital channels, and there are no industry-standard, consumer-friendly, "plug and play" set-top boxes, despite the involvement of Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites).


"The biggest hurdle is adopting standards that will allow TVs and cable and satellite set-top boxes to work seamlessly with each other," says Myra Moore, founder of Digital Tech Consulting, a Dallas research firm that tracks digital TV.


Progress has been made since the USA's transition to a digital broadcasting standard began more than six years ago. Nearly 1,000 digital stations are operating, and more than 80% of homes can receive at least five digital signals, according to the National Association of Broadcasters. But the transition is still far behind the timetable set by the FCC (news - web sites), and not all those digital stations are offering HD programs.


Five million new HD-compatible TV sets have been sold to date, and the pace is accelerating as prices drop well below $2,000 4 million more are expected to be sold this year. But only a fourth of sets sold so far are equipped with the tuners necessary to receive HD signals (usually a $300-and-up accessory). Most buyers, eyeing the confusion, are choosing to bide their time and instead watch DVDs on their sets.


That could change as cable systems roll out HD. Most lease set-top digital boxes to subscribers for $7-$10 a month, plus typical $10-a-month HD charges (similar to that charged by satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network for their HD packages).


More cable networks are jumping in. Among others, ESPN HD began March 31, and Starz/Encore plans to launch Starz! HD East and West movie channels, a Starz On Demand HD service and a separate Sharper Movies HD service by year's end. "The coming of many cable high-definition channels and local broadcasts in prime time will accelerate the desire" for HD, says Starz/Encore founder John Sie.


A look at other HD on the horizon:


Bravo HD+ began broadcasting July 31, but isn't yet available anywhere the network is still negotiating with satellite and cable systems. The channel includes reruns of programs such as The West Wing (news - web sites) and, as part of the NBC family, is expected to air some of the Athens Summer Olympics (news - web sites).


Pay-per-view provider In Demand is launching two HD channels next month. Broadcasts will include movies, sports and other entertainment programs such as Hallmark specials.


A&E is shooting some current programs and concerts in high definition for a future HD channel; no date has been set.


PBS, which currently broadcasts an hour or two in HD each week, plans a separate channel that will launch next February. Its round-the-clock programming mix of high-definition and standard-definition programs "upconverted" to widescreen will be available to local PBS broadcasters and cable and satellite providers.


The network is "carefully weighing our investment to high definition," says PBS' Deron Triff, based on the number of homes ready and able to receive it.


Broadcasters hope that figure continues to grow. "This coming television season, the prime-time programming is going to be out there. Sports is out there. Stations have made progress and sets are moving," says John Orlando of the National Association of Broadcasters. "It's out there for consumers."

[John L]

With the WB offering programming in Hi-Definition, I hope that means they will get after WVTV to offer it to its viewers in High Definition.  Wasn't it the WB Network that got after WVTV to start up a nightly Newscast?  I hope they make them offer their offerings in High Definition.

-John L.

[midwesterntv]

I don't think the decision came from the WB, but rather Sinclair (the company that owns both WVTV and WCGV).

[StarvingForHDTV]

The WB has been offering HD programming for a while.  A good thread over at AVS to keep yourself up to date on HD programming. is:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164671

The moderator keeps it very current with updates.

Starving