WFAA-DT (ABC) HDTV Newsletter for September (1 Viewer)

[Steve Tannehill]

Okay, that bogus press release has been removed. In
its place, I am posting the latest HDTV newsletter
from the Dallas ABC affiliate, WFAA. This is legit
news regarding the current ABC HDTV plans.
- Steve
New Season
ABC begins the new season on Tuesday, September 18th with “Philly.” “Thieves” starts on Friday at 8 p.m. and “Alias” debuts with a commercial-free special on Sunday the 30th from 8 p.m. to 9:09 p.m. HD shows and movies total 19 hours out of 90 hours of primetime for September representing just over 21% in HD. The Network still does not promote HD. By December ABC DTV stations expect to be airing 5 to 10 hours of HD programming each week.
CBS primetime is all HD plus the daytime soap and a full schedule of NCAA football and other sports coverage. They keep the network leadership position for HD delivery.
NBC continues with “The Tonight Show” and it is rumored that they will add several shows this fall. The Network is trying to complete a digital satellite delivery system in time for the Olympics to possibly do some HD coverage. Europe and Japan will do HD of the Olympics.
Direct Broadcast Satellite continues the lead in HD programming with Showtime and HBO.
Gaming is Big Business
Consumer Electronics reports that game consoles promise to be a driving force behind the growth of digital entertainment during the fourth quarter of this year. Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube have component outputs for connecting to a DTV. The combination of features is good news for gamers who may now engage in HD gaming, but also for DTV adoption, since it provides consumers with yet another reason to upgrade their existing sets. Additionally, Sony’s Playstation 2 has a 1394 output along with an optical output for digital audio. Sony also includes DVD playback.
ABC HD Programming

Sun. 2nd   6-8pm                             Stereo
   “A Very Brady Sequel”
Tue. 4th   9-10 pm ”NYPD Blue”  5.1 audio
Tue.11th  9-10 pm  “NYPD Blue” 5.1 audio
Sat. 15th  7-10 pm                          5.1 audio
   “The Peacemaker”
Tue.18th   9-10 pm   “Philly”          5.1 audio
Fri. 21st    8-9 pm  “Thieves”         5.1 audio
Sun. 23rd   6-8pm “A Bugs Life”    5.1 audio
Tue. 25th  9-10 pm   “Philly”          5.1 audio
Fri. 28th    8-9 pm  “Thieves”         5.1 audio
Sat. 29th   7-10 pm “Ransom”        5.1 audio
Sun. 30th  6-8 pm “ Dr. Dolittle”    5.1 audio
                 8-9:09 pm  “Alias”        5.1 audio

New HD RP Set
Panasonic introduced the PT-47WX49, its new 47-inch, 16 x 9 HD rear-projection monitor, at a suggested retail price of $2,099.95. The set can display digital video signals in 480p and HDTV 1080i. It features a 165-point convergence system to maintain maximum clarity, and color alignment is user-adjustable in nine different screen segments. The NTSC tuner enables reception of analog signals and a built-in scan converter line-doubles conventional TV signals to 480p. Two sets on component video inputs will accept ether interlaced or progressive signals from different sources, such as a DVD player or digital satellite receiver. The monitor requires a separate digital receiver to get HD programs.
Contact Us
214.977.6246 214.977.6409 (fax)
To receive this newsletter, please fax, phone, or contact mailto:[email protected]
Got Remo?

 

[Mike I]

I would not be so quick to call it bogus, unless you know the entire story behind it.
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[Kevin Coleman]

Fill us in Mike!
Is there anything you can divulge? How did this press release get leaked?
Kevin C.

 

[Steve Tannehill]

Then why don't you tell me about it in email.
- Steve
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Got Remo?

 

[Rod Rebello]

If you are referring to the release that said all scripted shows will be in HD, I received it from our local Phoenix ABC station. They have a mailing list for their HD viewers. You would think that ABC's stations would have the correct info. Here is what they sent:
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Here is confirmation of ABC's plans for HD this Fall!!!
At this point we are still not able to bring you the 5.1 audio, but this is great news...
September 5, 2001
THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK ANNOUNCES IT WILL BROADCAST
ITS PRIMETIME ENTERTAINMENT SERIES IN HDTV
ABC Television Network President Alex Wallau announced today that ABC will broadcast all of its scripted primetime entertainment programs in high definition television (HDTV) this season.
All of these programs will use 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format. ABC is the only network to broadcast its HD programming in Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surroundsound.
In addition to "NYPD Blue," which became ABC's first regularly-scheduled entertainment series to be broadcast in high-definition last season, the series to be broadcast in HD include "Dharma & Greg," "Spin City," " Philly," "My Wife and Kids," "The Drew Carey Show," "Thieves," "Once and Again," "The Practice," "What About Joan," "Bob Patterson," "According to Jim," "The Job," "The Court," "The Web," and "Alias."
ABC also broadcast more than 40 theatrical movies in HDTV last year, and will continue to do so for the 2001-2002 season.
"We're very committed to doing HDTV programming, and broadcasting most of our primetime series in HD is a terrific way to showcase this technology," said Mr. Wallau.
Jeff Harrelson
Program Director
KNXV-TV ABC 15, DT 56
515 N. 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
(602) 683-5954

 

[Rod Rebello]

I asked Jeff at ABC KNXV Phoenix about the authenticity of the press release. Below is his response. Definitely not a sure thing yet

.
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Not a hoax, it just has not been released yet. We received the release internally and were not aware that ABC had not sent it out to the public. Apparently, there are still a few details to be worked out to make this possible. I will let you know ASAP when I hear from ABC on their Fall HD intentions. Let's hope ABC can make this happen.

 

[Mike I]

This was not a bogus press release ...This was a release that was not suppose to be let out, which I did not know when I posted it, until the final details are ironed out between ABC and a sponser they are working with similar to CBS and Mits....ABC expects and hopes to have an agreement finalized with a sponser for the rest to the ABC prime time lineup, sometime within the next week...
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[Edited last by Mike I on September 07, 2001 at 09:35 AM]

 

[Brian Mello]

Doh! You have to register to read it so here's the link:
http://www.newyorktimes.com/2001/09/...ia/07TUBE.html

 

[Mike I]

post deleted by Mike I
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[Edited last by Mike I on September 07, 2001 at 07:57 AM]
[Edited last by Mike I on September 07, 2001 at 09:37 AM]

 

[Steve Tannehill]

Mike, you've got mail.
- Steve
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Got Remo?

 

[Mike I]

Steve..
You now have mail
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[MaxY]

Anyone else starting to find this thread hard to follow?
Would someone send me some mail explaing what the heck went on here.
Max
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Browse My Collection of DVDs at DVD profiler
Equipment Lists for My HTs
Petition To Bring Motel Hell To DVD Check In Here
Time to resume Buying Warner Product!!

 

[DennisHP]

It's reading like the Blue CRT didn't know what the Red CRT was doing. Maybe convergence will help!

 

[Mike I]

It now has been officially released by ABC...All prime time Entertainment including World of Disney and the ABC big picture show will be HD...News based show and game shows such has millionaire will not be...
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[Kevin Coleman]

Thanks Mike!
Sounds excellent. Time to start getting on my local abc affialiate.
Kevin C.
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If you live in the Wichita KS area and are interested in a local meet click here

 

[Mike I]

Here is the official press release

IN A MAJOR COMMITMENT TO HDTV PROGRAMMING, ABC ANNOUNCES IT WILL
BROADCAST ALL OF ITS PRIMETIME COMEDIES, DRAMAS AND THEATRICALS IN HDTV
THIS SEASON
In a major commitment to high-definition television programming, ABC
Television Network president Alex Wallau announced today that ABC will
broadcast all of its primetime comedy and drama series, as well as all
theatrical movies, in HDTV for the 2001-02 television season.
ABC was the first network to broadcast in HDTV, beginning in November,
1998, and it is the only network currently broadcasting its HD
programming in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound. All of ABC's
programs will use 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format.
"ABC is totally committed to bringing the best possible viewing
experience to our audiences through HDTV technology," said Mr. Wallau.
"ABC's Fall programs are an especially powerful way of showcasing the
amazing technology of HDTV."
The announcement will bring the total number of hours that ABC is
broadcasting in HDTV to more than 60% of its primetime schedule. In
addition to 'NYPD Blue', which became ABC's first regularly scheduled
entertainment series to be broadcast in high definition last season, the
series to be broadcast in HDTV include 'Dharma & Greg', 'Spin City',
'Philly', 'My Wife and Kids', 'The Drew Carey Show', 'Thieves', 'Once
and Again', 'The Practice', 'What About Joan', 'Bob Patterson',
'According to Jim', 'The Job', 'The Wonderful World of Disney', 'The ABC
Big Picture Show', 'The Court', 'The Web', and 'Alias'.
Since it began broadcasting in HDTV in 1998 and through November of this
year, ABC will have broadcast 71 theatrical titles in HDTV. This
includes more than 40 theatrical movies in HDTV last season. The network
will continue to broadcast all theatricals in HDTV for the 2001-02
season.
The first HDTV broadcast of the new season will be the one-hour season
premiere of 'Dharma & Greg' on September 18, from 8:00-9:00 p.m.
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 many other theatricals in
HDTV, as well as numerous sporting events. Those events include the
first live, regularly scheduled HDTV sporting event in primetime, the
1999-2000 season of 'Monday Night Football'. ABC has also broadcast
'Super Bowl XXXIV' and the '2000 National Hockey League All-Star Game'
in HDTV.

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[Steve Tannehill]

Mike, thanks for the follow-up. I've reopened the original thread with the early press release.
- Steve
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Got Remo?

 

[Mike I]

Thank You Steve...Sorry for all the misunderstandings..
Peace
Mike I
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