Swanni's 10 HDTV Predictions For 2008!
Set prices will stabilize; the Digital TV transition will face more obstacles; and the HD 'arms race' between cable and satellite will increase.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
6. Consumers Get Even More Confused About HDTV
"Even with more Americans buying high-def sets, a large percentage still will not get the HD tuners needed to watch HD signals. Not only that -- thanks to channels stretching their standard-def signals so they look like HD -- people will still be baffled over what's in high-def and what's not."
7. Local HD News Becomes Ratings Weapon
"There are now roughly 55 local stations broadcasting their local newscasts in high-def -- and plenty more are coming on board. Those stations will finally see some impact on their ratings in 2008 as more homes get high-def sets. Consequently, you'll see local stations doing more to promote their HD newscasts in their marketing campaigns."
8. HDTV Starts to Impact Basic Cable Ratings
"Likewise, many basic cable networks have (or will soon) launched high-def simulcasts. However, some cable networks, such as E! Entertainment, are still holding out. In 2008, the holdouts will start to lose a significant number of viewers to channels that have made the switch. High-def viewers want high-def. Period."
9. Networks Will Produce 'HDTV Shows'
"With high-def sets in as many as 50 million homes in 2008, the networks will begin producing shows that are specifically targeted to the high-def audience. We're talking programs such as beach shows, Westerns, sci-fi -- shows that look good as well as have strong narratives."
10. Peace Comes to the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD War
"Yes, I predicted this for 2007, too -- and it may turn out to be the one prediction of mine that fails to come true -- but the Blu-ray and HD DVD forces can't afford to see this war go on much longer. If they can't agree to have just one high-def DVD format, confused consumers will simply get an upconverting DVD player so their standard-def DVDs look better on a high-def set."
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Swanni (Phillip Swann) is
president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in
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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
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