Audio Video News

One of HDTV's strongest supporters could pull away if an effective copy-protection system isn't in place by next year.

Viacom-owned CBS is threatening to halt its high-definition programming during the 2003–2004 season, according to early-December broadcast industry reports. CBS was one of the first networks to air HDTV, including professional sports programs. All 18 of the network's prime-time shows are produced in HD, as have been major sporting events such as the 2001 Super Bowl, the NCAA Men's Final Four, and the Masters Golf Tournament.

CBS would like to see a government-mandated "copy-protection broadcast flag" inserted into HDTV data streams to prevent re-transmission of such programming over the Internet. The network could pull all its HD offerings if a workable copy-prevention system isn't instituted.

Representatives of related industries—computer companies and consumer electronics manufacturers—have argued that broadcast flags probably won't be very useful in preventing unauthorized streaming of recorded programming. Furthermore, strong copy-protection technology could interfere with consumers' long-established home recording rights, some critics assert.

In addition, these critics say that slapping on a copy -protection "band-aid" could hinder development of more effective copy-control technologies. Representatives of Apple Computer, Inc., IBM Corp., Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp., and Motorola, Inc. told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that implementing any existing copy-protection scheme "is made difficult by the complex and ever-evolving nature of the technologies."

Members of the information technology (IT) sector said they would prefer that broadcasters encrypt DTV signals at the transmitters. Consumer electronics makers insist that copy-protected programs must still be portable within a user's private home network, including computers, personal video recorders, and television sets. The Hollywood movie industry is stalling on the release of blockbuster films for HDTV broadcast until some copy-protection system is in place.