ABC And Zenith Announce Major HDTV Partnership For 2002-03

29-Aug-02

In a continuing commitment to high-definition television programming, ABC Television Network president Alex Wallau announced that ABC will broadcast all of its scripted series and theatrical movies for the 2002-2003 season in HDTV. Mr. Wallau and Zenith Electronics Corporation President T. J. Lee also announced a major HDTV partnership in which Zenith will sponsor ABC's HDTV primetime broadcasts for the fall broadcast season. Beginning with the new broadcast season in September, Zenith will be identified through an on-air billboard as ABC's HDTV sponsor at the beginning of ABC's comedies, dramas, and theatrical movies, all of which are broadcast in 720p high-definition, including 5.1-channel surround sound. The new programs -- including the dramas ""Push, Nevada,"" ""MDs,"" and ""That Was Then,"" and the comedies ""8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter,"" ""Life With Bonnie,"" and ""Less Than Perfect"" -- join such ABC stalwarts as ""NYPD Blue"" and ""The Practice"" in high-definition, bringing the network's total HDTV primetime broadcasts to more than 13 hours per week. ""ABC is totally committed to bringing the best possible viewing experience to our audiences through HDTV technology,"" said Mr. Wallau. ""Broadcasting most of our primetime series in high-definition is a terrific way to showcase this amazing technology, and we're thrilled to establish this HDTV partnership with Zenith."" Mr. Lee said, ""With exciting new programs joining ABC's primetime HDTV lineup, the network is well-positioned for a terrific fall season. Joining forces with ABC represents a key element of our marketing program, designed to position Zenith as the HDTV authority."" ABC was the first major network to broadcast in HDTV, beginning in November 1998, and it is the only major broadcast network currently airing its HD programming in DolbyÆ Digital 5.1-channel surround sound. All of ABC's programs will use 720 progressive (720p), ABC's selected HDTV format. In September 2001, ABC made a major commitment to HDTV programming when it began broadcasting the majority of its schedule in HDTV, including all of its primetime comedy and drama series, as well as all theatrical movies. For the 2001-02 broadcast season, ABC broadcast more than 260 hours of HDTV programming, and the network plans to broadcast even more hours in HD this season. ABC began broadcasting high-definition television, including Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound, on November 1, 1998, with the theatrical presentation of ""The Wonderful World of Disney: 101 Dalmatians."" Since then ABC has broadcast many other theatricals in HDTV, as well as numerous sporting events. These include the first live, regularly scheduled HDTV sporting event in primetime, the 1999-2000 season of ""Monday Night Football."" ABC has also broadcast ""Super Bowl XXXIV"" and the ""2000 National Hockey League All-Star Game"" in HDTV.