HDTV in the News

Within a few years, HDTV will be the standard, but television stations aren't waiting for the imposed deadline. ABC announced last week that it will broadcast all of its primetime comedies, dramas and theatricals this season.

"ABC was the first network to broadcast in HDTV, beginning in November, 1998, and it is the only network currently broadcasting its HD programming in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound. All of ABC's programs will use 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format," said the announcement.

The HDTV programming will include 60 percent of its primetime schedule. Shows include "NYPD Blue," which became ABC's first regularly scheduled entertainment series to be broadcast in high definition last season, "Dharma & Greg," "Spin City," "Philly," "My Wife and Kids," "The Drew Carey Show," "Thieves," "Once and Again," "The Practice," "What About Joan," "Bob Patterson," "According to Jim," "The Job," "The Wonderful World of Disney," "The ABC Big Picture Show," "The Court," "The Web" and "Alias."

While it's difficult to find information on HDTV on its Website, NBC began its HDTV broadcasting with The Tonight Show in 1999.

CBS's HDTV schedule for this week includes CBS News, "Touched by an Angel," "The District," "60 Minutes," "The Moving of Sophia Myles," "60 Minutes II," "48 Hours," "Big Brother 2," "The King of Queens," "Yes, Dear," "Everybody Loves Raymond," Becker," "Judging Amy," "The Amazing Race," "Wolf Lake," and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." CBS will also broadcast 12 college football games in HDTV this season.