Majority Of CBS Primetime Lineup In HDTV
As reported yesterday, May 17, Gary Shapiro, President of the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA) has released the following statement: ""Mitsubishiís announcement that it will underwrite the conversion of CBSí prime time line-up to HDTV is great news for the industry and consumers. DTV products are widely available and more than 50 broadcasters have stated digital transmissions. At this stage, quality HDTV content is critical to the digital transition ñ itís going to drive the next stage of the evolution. ""Consumers are ëwowedí by the technology and nearly 26,000 consumers have bought a DTV. But all of our research tells us that their purchase decisions are driven largely by content. Our industries must work together to ensure that DTV consumers have something to see. ""The partnership between Mitsubishi and CBS represents the kind of inter-industry cooperation that is critical to the success of DTV. To foster this cooperation, CEMA has scheduled a DTV Summit (September 28) in Los Angeles to address the issues surrounding DTV content and ensure a broad range of HDTV program options for consumers."" The announcement was in reaction to last weekís CBS announcement that Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America will sponsor the most extensive digital broadcast programming package ever, underwriting exclusively the costs associated with producing the majority of the CBS Television Networkís primetime series entertainment programming in HDTV, beginning this fall and running through the 1999/2000 television season. Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS, commented that ""CBS is very pleased to have forged this partnership with Mitsubishi. It will give American television viewers their first sustained exposure to high-definition television. This agreement, which allows us to present the majority of our primetime lineup in the highest-definition television format, represents the most significant step any network has taken in HDTV, and further establishes CBSís leadership in the transition to digital broadcasting."" According to CBS, 14 of its owned and affiliated stations are currently broadcasting in digital, covering approximately 30 percent of the nation. By November 1, CBS expects to be transmitting digital programming across more than 40 stations, reaching well over 50 percent of the country. CBS began its commitment to digital programming with the presentation of the John Glenn Space Shuttle Launch in HDTV in October 1998, and aired the first live NFL game in HDTV the following November. Also in November, CBS recorded and aired in HDTV an episode of Chicago Hope, marking the first-ever broadcast of a primetime series in that format. In December 1998 and January 1999, the network aired the films ""The Bodyguard"" and ""The Shawshank Redemption"" in HDTV, and on April 1, 1999, CBS broadcast ""48 Hours: Striking It Rich,"" the first-ever news magazine in HDTV format. ""This agreement is a major milestone in the HDTV revolution and is the first time a company such as Mitsubishi has sponsored such an extensive part of a primetime lineup,"" said Max Wasinger, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. ""Furthermore, the increase in HDTV programming resulting from this sponsorship will further assure consumers who have purchased HDTV products that they have made a wise investment and can begin enjoying a greater number of programs featured in the 1080i format.""