Sony And CBS Team Up For HDTV Broadcast Of January 2001 Sony Open In Honolulu, Hawaii

27-Dec-00

CBS Television and Sony have entered into an agreement for CBS to produce the 2001 Sony Open golf tournament live in high definition on the CBS Television Network. ""The Sony Open will mark the first time that CBS Sports has produced a unified broadcast for both our high definition and conventional standard definition analog coverage - with both feeds originating from one production facility,"" said Terry Ewert, Executive Producer, CBS Sports. ""Single production of sports broadcasts reduces costs while making possible complete HDTV coverage of sports programming."" All previous CBS Sports HDTV broadcasts have been dual productions with separately announced teams, cameras and control trucks for the standard 4 x 3 analog production and the HDTV broadcasts. ""We are pleased to work with Sony to take this significant step in the history of digital programming, Ewert added. ""With the addition of our coverage of the Sony Open, CBS Sports will broadcast in high definition every weekend between Christmas and the Super Bowl."" CBS Sports begins its 2001 golf schedule with live coverage of the Sony Open with third-round coverage on Saturday, January 20 (3:30-6pm, EST) and final-round action on Sunday, January 21 (3-6pm EST) from the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii.""We are breaking new ground with CBS on this HDTV broadcast,"" said Edward Grebow, Deputy President of Sony Electronics and President of its Broadcast and Professional Company. ""Professional golf broadcasts in high definition can be breathtaking as some viewers have already experienced with the limited HD coverage at last year's Masters Tournament. The theatre-like 16 x 9 aspect ratio and the HD image resolution provide spectacular pictures that make the viewers feel like they are on the course with the players. It's an ideal event to demonstrate the advantages of HD for the home viewer.""Thirty-one of CBS's owned and affiliated stations are currently broadcasting in HDTV, covering approximately 45 percent of the nation. ""We place a high value on promoting HDTV with network broadcasters and consumers, as evidenced by this major event with CBS,"" Grebow added. The high definition broadcast will also be carried in Japan by NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (Nippon Hoso Kyokai), which is recognized as a world leader in the development of high definition television technology. Beginning December 1, 2000, NHK initiated its daily 24-hour high definition service in Japan. The Sony Open will be a part of this broadcast schedule. For more information about Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company, visit www.sony.com/professional.

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