HGTV and Food Network to be HDTV in 2006

[Gregg Lengling]

From Broadcasting & Cable:

Scripps Networks launches two HD channels in 2006, an HD version of HGTV in the first quarter followed by an HD version of The Food Network in the second quarter. At this point, the company is putting the final touches on each project.

"The biggest challenge is making sure we have produced enough content so the service will provide enough fresh programming," says Burton Jablin, president of HGTV and EVP of Scripps Networks. "And we've gotten over that hurdle."

It wasn't easy. Scripps Networks spent two years producing content for its Fine Living channel and HGTV in HD in preparation for the move, knowing that the content would sit on the shelves for a while. It's a challenge that faces every network: planning for tomorrow's services today.

"Everything we did that was new was produced in HD," says Jablin. "We accumulated a few hundred hours of HD content and when Food TV kicked in we had several hundred hours more completed."

So why go HD? Jablin says it's about giving viewers the best experience possible. "If there's enough distribution and critical mass I think advertising will follow," he says.

As for judging success of a network that won't start with any Nielsen measurement or advertising? "I remember the transition from black-and-white to color and how it was a better way to watch shows," says Jablin. "When the product enhances the experience the adoption rate will follow."