Digital/HDTV Update: When You Build It, Will They Come?

The debate over the rollout and acceptance of digital broadcasting and HDTV as an economically viable platform was the focus of a recent industry panel titled ""Digital/HDTV Update: When You Build It, Will They Come?"" The points raised were:- More compelling HDTV content must be produced in order for consumers to justify buying expensive sets. Without content TVs do not sell.- Until there is some significant penetration of HDTV sets broadcasters will be reluctant to move past the relatively simple conversion of theatrical films to HDTV into the expensive production of programming in HDTV.- Even with compelling programming advertisers need more to be intrigued. The programming must bring in more viewers; bigger and better pictures are not enough. Until then advertisers will remain skeptical and take a wait-and-see attitude.- HDTV is ""industry driven,"" not a ""consumer-driven evolution."" Consumers need to embrace HDTV to justify broadcaster development after satisfying the mandatory May 2002 deadline for conversion to digital set by the FCC.