HDTV: Getting Hot This Fall

Washington D.C. (August 22, 2005) -- A few weeks ago, I wrote a sad tale here called, The HDTV Summertime Blues.

The feature explained why cable and satellite TV providers are frustrating high-def owners by delaying the addition of new HD channels. Plus, the networks this summer are not airing many of their primetime shows in HD. Add it all together and it's been a disappointing season for HDTV enthusiasts.

The summer may be coming to an end, but HDTV is about to heat up. This fall, the networks and the TV providers will launch several new shows and channels that are guaranteed to excite any high-def owner. For instance:

1. David Letterman Goes High-Def
The CBS late night talk show will broadcast in HDTV starting Monday, August 29, some five years after NBC launched a high-def version of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Is the 58-year-old Letterman ready for high-def? Well, he doesn't look that good in analog so get ready to hide the kids.

2. DIRECTV to Launch ESPN HD 2
Some nine months after it was first announced, DIRECTV is expected to launch the high-def version of ESPN 2 HD next month. The tentative start date is September 8, but don't be surprised if that's pushed back a few days. Still, with the Major League Baseball playoffs coming up in October, DIRECTV HDTV owners will be happy with the addition at any time in September.

3. The NFL Kicks Off In September
CBS, Fox and ESPN will begin airing the NFL 2005 season in high-def on September 4. Only selected games will be broadcast in HDTV in your area. But, if you're a DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket subscriber -- and you're willing to pay an extra $99 -- you can get more than 100 games this season in HDTV.

4. Good Morning America Goes High-Def
The ABC morning show will begin airing in HDTV this fall, probably as early as next month. The launch could encourage other news shows and networks, such as CNN, to accelerate their high-def plans. Which, of course, means more business for the Botox industry.

5. National Hockey League Goes High-Def
Starting in October, The Outdoor Life Network will begin airing high-def broadcasts of the National Hockey League. As a partner in the deal between OLN and the NHL, Comcast is likely to carry the high-def games, but look for coverage from the satcasters and other cable operators as well.

6. Saturday Night Live Goes High-Def
On October 1, the first episode of the 2005-2006 season, the Saturday night comedy show will broadcast in HDTV for the first time. Just think: In HDTV, you will be able to tell that Ashlee Simpson is lip-synching even before she begins her hoe-down.

TVPredictions.com will have more information on new HDTV channels and shows in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned.

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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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