Audio Video News

The fall television season will be more high definition intensive than ever, thanks to a beefed-up HDTV schedule from ABC and CBS.

On Wednesday, August 28, the two networks announced an increase in the number of programs that will be broadcast in HD. ABC will also be offering Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, with more than 13 hours of HD programming per week. CBS will lead all networks by providing an average of nearly 27 hours each week, 4 more hours than last year, with a schedule that includes include 18 prime time comedies and dramas in addition to select Sunday movies, sports events, and weekday broadcasts of The Young & the Restless.

ABC's high-def programming will be sponsored by Zenith Electronics, also in its second year as a financial supporter of CBS's prime time HD schedule. "To the extent that we can put this compelling content in front of the viewer, then both of us will benefit," said Preston Davis, president of broadcast operations and engineering at ABC Television. This will be the first year that ABC has had sponsors for its HD productions. Samsung Electronics America is also participating in the sponsorship, having underwritten some CBS shows and specials in the past. Banner ads in the opening credits will alert viewers to the companies' products, which include LCD and plasma television receivers and monitors. High-def TV is now "less of an experiment and prototype and more of a normal business plan," said CBS executive vice president Martin Franks. ABC estimates that the cost to transfer each hour of production into HD and surround sound is about $7–9 million.

The WB Network has also committed to prime time HD programming this coming season, despite its lack of sponsors. NBC and the Fox Network also lack sponsorship of their HD schedules. All the networks have committed to producing a minimum amount of prime time HD programming by January 1, in keeping with a request by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Michael Powell.

Zenith's new products include an HDTV set priced under $1500. "This is a very critical year," said Zenith spokesman John Taylor. "As we head into the fall season, there are some 500 digital stations broadcasting around the country, and we want to make consumers understand that more programming is available in HDTV."

Some new series will join continuing productions at ABC in the 720p high-def format. Among them are Push, Nevada, MDs, That Was Then, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, Life with Bonnie, and Less Than Perfect. Long-running hit shows like NYPD Blue and The Practice were already available in high definition. The new schedule boosts ABC's total HDTV prime time broadcasts to more than 13 hours per week.

CBS Television will offer all 18 of its prime time comedies and dramas in HD. The network is now in its fourth year of producing high-def programming; Samsung is entering its second year as sponsor. The CBS HD schedule includes the weekly CBS Sunday Movie, CBS Sports shows, and the daytime drama The Young and the Restless. This season, CBS will provide an average of nearly 27 hours of HD programming per week, more than any other broadcast network.

CBS HD debuts: The King of Queens Monday, September 23 (8–8:30pm); Yes, Dear Monday, September 23 (8:30–9pm); Everybody Loves Raymond Monday, September 23 (9–9:30pm); Still Standing Monday, September 23 (9:30–10pm); CSI: Miami Monday, September 23 (10–11pm); JAG Tuesday, September 24 (8–9pm); The Guardian Tuesday, September 24 (9–10pm) Presidio Med Tuesday, September 24 (10–11pm); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Thursday, September 26 (9–10pm); Without a Trace Thursday, September 26 (10–11pm); Hack Friday, September 27 (9–10pm); Robbery Homicide Division Friday, September 27 (10–11pm); Touched by an Angel Saturday, September 28 (8–9pm); The District Saturday, September 28 (9–10pm); The Agency Saturday, September 28 (10–11pm); Judging Amy Tuesday, October 1 (10–11pm); Bram & Alice Sunday, October 6 (8–8:30pm); Becker Sunday, October 6 (8:30–9pm).