Summary

The Consumer Electronics Association applauded NBC and HDNet's announcement to jointly produce the first-ever HDTV Olympic coverage in the United States. NBC affiliates would carry primetime HD programming while HDNet's DIRECTV Channel 199 would broadcast 16 hours daily during the February 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.

Source document circa 2001 preserved as-is

Tuesday, December 4, 2001


NBC-HDNet High-Definition 2002 Winter Olympics Coverage Awarded Gold Medal Approval from CEA

Primetime HD Coverage on NBC and 16-Hour Broadcasts Courtesy HDNet

Arlington, Va., December 4, 2001 - High-definition television (HDTV) coverage from NBC and HDNet will make the 2002 Winter Olympics a television event not to be missed, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). CEA today applauded the announcement made by NBC and HDNet that the two networks would collaborate to produce the first-ever HDTV Olympic programming in the United States.

"CEA and surely DTV consumers are simply elated by the NBC-HDNET announcement," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Now all the consumers that already have a DTV in their home and all those who will receive DTV during the holiday season will be able to enjoy the Olympics from the comfort of their living room as if they were right there in Salt Lake. The Olympics have always been a favorite television event for Americans; now, it will be the ultimate event - like being there."

The 2002 Olympic Winter Games from Salt Lake City will be held February 8-24 and HDTV programming will be made available by the NBC network to NBC's 32 affiliate digital stations during primetime hours and HDNet's Channel 199 on DIRECTV 16 hours a day. HDNet, co-founded by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, produces and televises more hours of HDTV programming each week than any other network.