Washington, D.C.
(March 28, 2007)
-- Recent studies have found that millions of
High-Definition TV owners are unsure when a show is
broadcast in high-def. Many assume that a program's in
HD because it's on a high-def set and/or a high-def
channel.
Apparently, you can count Rush Limbaugh in that group.
The conservative commentator has made a number of recent statements on his nationally syndicated radio show that indicate that he doesn't know when a show or segment is really in high-def.
This is a bit surprising considering that he's a vocal HDTV supporter, frequently telling his listeners how wonderful it is. But it appears that he may not always be aware of what he's watching.
Apparently, you can count Rush Limbaugh in that group.
The conservative commentator has made a number of recent statements on his nationally syndicated radio show that indicate that he doesn't know when a show or segment is really in high-def.
This is a bit surprising considering that he's a vocal HDTV supporter, frequently telling his listeners how wonderful it is. But it appears that he may not always be aware of what he's watching.
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
For instance, Limbaugh yesterday said on the air that NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams began broadcasting in high-def on Monday night.
Rush Limbaugh: Seeing is believing?
That is true. But Limbaugh added that a Nightly News interview segment with Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez during Monday's broadcast was in high-def.
It was not. Nightly News is airing the studio segments with anchor Williams in high-def. Most of the field reports, including Justice Department correspondent Pete Williams' interview with Gonzalez, are shown in standard definition.
The previous day, Limbaugh made the same error when he joked that "Mrs. Bill Clinton had a town meeting today on Good Morning America. I was watching this, and it was on High Definition. And I'm saying to myself, 'Mrs. Clinton, stay away from HD.'"
However, the joke was actually on Limbaugh. While Good Morning America airs its studio segments (and some outdoor shots) in high-def, most field reports (such as Mrs. Clinton's Town Hall meeting) are not in HD.
An ABC spokeswoman confirmed today that the Clinton segment was not in high-def.
Limbaugh's error is common, and understandable, considering that a network will frequently say a program is in high-def although some of its segments are not. For viewers not familiar with the industry or the technological aspects of high-def, it's easy to assume that it's all in HD.
But it's a bit embarrassing for Limbaugh, a broadcast veteran of multiple decades, to make such a mistake. In addition, he frequently discusses his love of high-def on the air.
I tried to contact the commentator to explain the situation. However, at his web site, you have to sign up for a pay service for the privilege of sending him an e-mail.
So, consider this my effort to set him straight.
Comment on this article!
Digg this article!
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
For instance, Limbaugh yesterday said on the air that NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams began broadcasting in high-def on Monday night.
Rush Limbaugh: Seeing is believing?
That is true. But Limbaugh added that a Nightly News interview segment with Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez during Monday's broadcast was in high-def.
It was not. Nightly News is airing the studio segments with anchor Williams in high-def. Most of the field reports, including Justice Department correspondent Pete Williams' interview with Gonzalez, are shown in standard definition.
The previous day, Limbaugh made the same error when he joked that "Mrs. Bill Clinton had a town meeting today on Good Morning America. I was watching this, and it was on High Definition. And I'm saying to myself, 'Mrs. Clinton, stay away from HD.'"
However, the joke was actually on Limbaugh. While Good Morning America airs its studio segments (and some outdoor shots) in high-def, most field reports (such as Mrs. Clinton's Town Hall meeting) are not in HD.
An ABC spokeswoman confirmed today that the Clinton segment was not in high-def.
Limbaugh's error is common, and understandable, considering that a network will frequently say a program is in high-def although some of its segments are not. For viewers not familiar with the industry or the technological aspects of high-def, it's easy to assume that it's all in HD.
But it's a bit embarrassing for Limbaugh, a broadcast veteran of multiple decades, to make such a mistake. In addition, he frequently discusses his love of high-def on the air.
I tried to contact the commentator to explain the situation. However, at his web site, you have to sign up for a pay service for the privilege of sending him an e-mail.
So, consider this my effort to set him straight.
Comment on this article!
Digg this article!
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
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 New York Times, The
Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial
Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click
TVPredictions.com
to read more news and features
on TV technology.