HDNet And Arena Football League Announce 2002 Schedule Of Live Game Broadcasts In High-Definition TV

28-May-02

HDNet and the Arena Football League announced an agreement to broadcast live high-definition coverage of AFL games during the second half of the 2002 regular season. AFL action on HDNet's channel 199 on DIRECTV begins on June 1 when the Los Angeles Avengers host the Dallas Desperados at 10:30pm ET.""We are excited to be partnering with HDNet in broadcasting AFL games this year as we continue to provide our fans with the most optimal football experiences available,"" said AFL Commissioner David Baker. ""Avid and casual AFL fans will love the presentation on HDNet because it provides a view of nearly the entire field on every play and will help bring the in-arena experience into the viewer's home.""""Once viewers see an Arena Football League game with the crystal-clear picture quality and widescreen format of HDTV, they will be hooked on AFL in HD,"" said Mark Cuban, co-founder and President of HDNet. ""HDNet is committed to providing HDTV viewers with a wide variety of sports, news and entertainment programming, and the hard-hitting action of the AFL is a great addition to our broadcast schedule.""The HDTV broadcasts will be produced in 1080i HD format using HDNet's mobile production units, cameras, and crew.HDNet, produces and televises more hours of HDTV programming each week than any other network. Available on DIRECTV channel 199, HDNet broadcasts a full schedule of sports, entertainment, and news programming. Featured programming includes live Major League Baseball and National Hockey League games, NBC's HDTV coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and the first-ever HDTV war zone reports. Co-founded by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, HDNet is available at no extra charge to all DIRECTV customers with an HDTV set, receiver, and elliptical dish.