HDTV on NBC.....
NBC announced on Monday, April 6 that it will begin broadcasting a 1080 interlaced high-definition digital signal to its owned stations and affiliates in the fall 1998 season. The announcement was made by Scott Sassa, President of NBC Television Stations, at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Initially, NBC plans to provide a high definition signal during prime time with a 480 progressive digital signal during other dayparts. In order to meet the demands of an evolving marketplace, the network will maintain its flexibility to ensure that the widest number of viewers will be able to receive its signal, regardless of the receiving device.
As part of a long-term strategic agreement with Sony, NBC is building an HDTV facility for late-night's top-rated show, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." This arrangement is an extension of a previously announced agreement, where NBC and Sony have teamed up to develop broadcast products and applications for the next five Olympic Games. NBC expects to begin providing "The Tonight Show" in 1080 format in 1999. Additionally, NBC announced that it will offer the hit movies "Men in Black" and "Titanic" in high-definition and expects to announce plans for longform and series programming after the fall schedule is in place.
In conjunction with its digital television announcement, NBC announced the rollout of the first new all-digital Broadcast Operations Center, underscoring the network's commitment to rapid digital conversion. This tapeless facility is the backbone of NBC's digital strategy and helps the network maintain its position as the technology leader among the broadcast networks.
"NBC's decision to provide the 1080 interlace format further demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest-quality digital picture to the largest available viewing audience," said Sassa. "Our core belief is that free over-the-air programming will be the cornerstone of high-definition demand from the consumer. As 'broad'casters, we are providing a complete package of quality digital products for both the television viewing audience and computer users."
NBC's enhanced digital broadcasting initiatives include soon-to-be-unveiled Microsoft Web TV for Windows entertainment programming, along with existing efforts with Wink Communications and Intel's Intercast. These data broadcasting projects are compatible with both digital and analog broadcast and cable signals.
According to Sassa: "This decision enables NBC to continue our leadership role in the areas of broadcast television, digital television and enhanced data broadcasting. Not only are we developing programming and technology for digital transmission, but we have spent several years constructing the necessary infrastructure to support DTV."
NBC is committed to a rapid rollout and is scheduled to begin providing digital signals in four top-ten markets by November 1, 1998: KNBC, Los Angeles; WRC, Washington D.C.; WCAU, Philadelphia; and KXAS, Dallas. Owned stations in New York (WNBC) and Chicago (WMAQ) are scheduled for May 1, 1999, followed by San Diego (KNSD), Miami (WTVJ) and Raleigh (WNCN) on November 1. By May 1, 2002, the remaining NBC-owned stations in Columbus (WCMH), Providence (WJAR), Hartford (WVIT) and Birmingham (WVTM) will broadcast a digital signal. |
