ABC Television Network President Alex Wallau announced that 'NYPD Blue' will become the first regularly-scheduled series broadcast by ABC in HDTV, using the 720P format with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound starting January 9, 2001. The announcement marks a milestone in ABC's HDTV rollout, which began in November 1998 and had previously covered 44 theatrical presentations and major sporting events.
ABC Television Network President Alex Wallau announced today that ABC will broadcast the acclaimed drama series 'NYPD Blue' in high definition television (HDTV), beginning on the show's season premiere on TUESDAY, JAN. 9 (10:00-11:00 P.M. ET). 'NYPD Blue' is the first regularly-scheduled series that ABC has broadcast in HDTV. Steven Bochco's Emmy Award-winning series, which marks its eighth season on ABC, will use 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format. "Broadcasting this great drama in HDTV is a terrific way to showcase HDTV to the American public, and an exciting way to kick off the eighth season of 'NYPD Blue'", said Mr. Wallau. ABC began broadcasting high definition television, including Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound, on November 1, 1998, with the theatrical presentation of 'The Wonderful World of Disney: 101 Dalmatians.' Since then, ABC has broadcast 44 theatricals in HDTV, as well as numerous sporting events, including the first live, regularly scheduled HDTV sporting event in primetime, 1999-2000 season of 'Monday Night Football'. ABC has also broadcast the Super Bowl XXXIV, and the 2000 National Hockey League All-Star game in HDTV. Since its network debut on September 21, 1993, 'NYPD Blue' continues to set new standards for the police drama genre. Co-created and executive produced by Steven Bochco and David Milch, the show broke every record with 27 Emmy nominations in its first season. It won the coveted award for Outstanding Drama Series in its sophomore year, and received Emmy Awards for writing and directing in its fourth and fifth seasons. The show has received an astounding 82 Emmy nominations, winning 19. The show stars four-time Emmy Award winner Dennis Franz (as Detective Andy Sipowicz); veteran actor Rick Schroder (Detective Danny Sorenson); Emmy Award nominee James McDaniel (Lieutenant Arthur Fancy); Emmy winner Kim Delaney (Detective Diane Russell); Emmy winner Gordon Clapp (Detective Greg Medavoy); Henry Simmons (Detective Baldwin Jones) and Bill Brochtrup (John Irvin). 'NYPD Blue' has been America's top choice in its time period since the series' inception in the fall of 1993. Last season 'NYPD Blue' led its time period by 65% over 'Judging Amy' and by 35% over 'Dateline' among Adults 18-49. 'NYPD Blue' finished last season as one of the top 5 dramas on network television. 'NYPD Blue' is a Steven Bochco Production, co-created by Bochco and Milch. Bochco serves as executive producer along with Mark Tinker and former New York City police detective Bill Clark. |
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