Page 2 Update
CBS HD Sports Golf
Programming update + FOX has a Major NFL HD Announcement
The press
releases are shown below or linked below.
This week in
HD Sports programming addition:
First let me
say: “Excuse me folks, but CBS is NOT dark in HD Sports this weekend!” as
this reporter noted yesterday and also pointed out by one of the TV
industry readers. Set up your HD-DVR (wish I had one, sponsors?) for this
weekend is really getting busy.
CBS
Sports is showing 6 hours of PGA HD Golf this weekend. ItÂ’s the MCI
HERITAGE from Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, S.C., on Sat. April 17 and
Sun. April 18 3:00-6:00pm ET.
In 2004, CBS
is bringing us 13 PGA TOUR events, totaling 80 hours of HD programming.
Should be noted that CBS has been producing HD Sports broadcasts for a
long time and should be commended for it. Release attached below.
FOX
Sports HD NFL coverage sends an early warning shot across the bows of the
other Major NetworkÂ’s HD Ships.
Meaning: HD
Sports is coming to FOX Big Time, no better place than the NFL, every
Sunday in the fall.
FOX Sports
has jumped in with both cleats. They announced that they will be
“broadcasting up to six NFL games a week in HD 720p”. WOW!
They claim
111 NFL games slated for the regular seasonÂ… hmmm let me get my abacus.
LetÂ’s say they average only 5 games a week x 18 weeks. Heck thatÂ’s 90 HD
NFL games outa 111 total! Well, if they go ahead and do six/week x
18
weeks its 108 HD NFL, throw in Thanksgiving and specials. Yup, seems their
whole NFL season will be HD !!! (The NFL has an 18-week schedule with each
team having 2 bye (off) weeks) Oh gee, I forgot the NFL postseason &
preseason, Oh Boy! HD Football.. note to self: need to get portable HDTV
setup for tailgate parties!
CBS
Sports/Argent Mortgage Company team up to broadcast PGA TOUR events in
HDTV
CBS Sports announced today it will broadcast an unprecedented 13 PGA TOUR
events, totaling 80 hours, beginning with the MCI HERITAGE from Hilton
Head, S.C., on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 (3:00-6:00 p.m.,
ET, both days), in high definition television format.
CBS Sports' PGA TOUR
HDTV broadcasts will feature the highest definition television format --
1080 lines of picture resolution -- and 5.1 digital surround sound. The
unified productions for the Standard Definition and HD telecasts will
feature the same announcers, camera angles, replays and graphics.
"We are very pleased
to showcase PGA TOUR events for the first time in HDTV," said Sean
McManus, President, CBS Sports. "With the clarity of HDTV pictures viewers
will have a whole new experience from reading the greens to enjoying the
beauty of the courses on the PGA TOUR."
"We are proud to
help bring HDTV to viewers of the PGA TOUR broadcast on CBS Sports," said
Wayne Lee, president of Argent Mortgage Company. "HDTV is revolutionizing
broadcast entertainment just as Argent Mortgage is improving mortgage
lending through innovations that serve independent mortgage brokers. We
are very pleased to join with CBS Sports as it provides HDTV programming
that enhances the enjoyment of golf."
While
not exactly sports I would like to add this new release from the CEA since
it just popped in as we readied this update.
Sounds like a call in this release for the
I LOVE HDTV
PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
from
HDTV Magazine
QUARTERLY REPORT TO FCC UNDERSCORES
CEAÂ’S HDTV EDUCATION LEADERSHIP
ONLINE RETAILER TRAINING,
HDTV UPDATES AND CONSUMER EVENTS DELIVER MESSAGE THAT HDTV IS ‘PRIMETIME’
Arlington, Va., April 16, 2004 – Emphasizing its latest education and
promotion activities related to the analog to digital television (DTV)
transition, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today submitted an
activity report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on first
quarter projects. CEA also reiterated its call for other industries to
increase their DTV promotion and education efforts, as well. This is
CEAÂ’s third quarterly report to the Commission.
“CEA is proud to complement the efforts of individual manufacturers in
providing informational and educational materials to consumers and
retailers,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “Broadcasters, cable
programmers and all involved in the digital transition should use our
collective voice to extol the benefits of HD. Broadcasters and
programmers, in particular, should use their analog and standard
definition channels to promote their HD offerings. I urge other DTV
industry leaders to join us in educating the American public and promoting
this wonderful technology.”
CEA
reported to the Commission that its first quarter education and promotion
activities included updated information and materials, which reflected the
marketplace arrival of digital cable ready (DCR) HDTVs and the need to
access a CableCARD to enjoy premium programming and subscription
services. This message was underscored at the Texas CableConnects 2004
show where CEA and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA)
co-sponsored an HDTV Showcase. CEA also informed consumers directly about
the arrival of DCRs, in addition to other HDTV sets and technologies,
through a booth and technology seminars at the New Orleans Home and Garden
Show.
Four HDTV Update
meetings with leading consumer electronics buying groups – Nationwide
Marketing Group, MARTA Cooperative of America, Brand Source/Associated
Volume Buyers (AVB) and NATM Buying Corporation – also were held during
the first quarter, allowing CEA to provide dealers with a national
perspective of where the transition is heading. CEA reported these
meeting also presented a unique opportunity for dealers to discuss ways of
working together to achieve greater consumer awareness of HDTV.
Distributed widely at all events, the CEA-Comcast consumer education DVD
titled, “A Consumer’s Guide to the Wonderful World of HDTV,” continued to
generate retailer interest.
CEA has made the piece
available to dealers at cost for customization and redistribution at
point-of-sale.
CEAÂ’s first
quarter activities were topped off with the launch of a DTV module for the
CEknowhow.com online retailer-training program. CEAÂ’s CEknowhow.com
program is designed to equip retailers with up-to-date online training for
sales associates, so they can more effectively respond to consumer
inquires related to DTV and HDTV. The DTV training module covers
information ranging from basic definitions and ATSC standard formats to
the equipment required to receive and view HDTV content via antenna,
satellite or cable delivery. Flexible enough for any retail environment,
the DTV module also is customizable, allowing retailers to license and
tailor the program.
They
deserve a little pat on the back, don't you think. folks? _Dale
