ACC Tourney in HD?

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/16664153.htm

 

BV, can you share any info about the logistics of shooting/broadcasting these games in HD? I'm surprised how many featured ESPN games aren't in HD. Is it a cost issue? Logistical one? I'm really curious how it all works.

 

Cost is an issue and logistics, too. While the market is growing, there is a limited number of HD ready production trucks that are equipped to handle a live sporting event once you rule out the Network owned trucks. I know that one company has been requested to build an additonal truck for ESPN. After running the numbers came back to ESPN with a quote of $14,000 per game with a guarantee of 145 dates per year. ESPN declined.

This is the way most HD trucks are built, on a commission basis for a specific production facility/Network. At present, there are approximately 15 HD ready trucks that aren't committed solely to one content provider in the nation. Booking a truck requires around a 6 month lead time.

Also, on the logistics front, the biggest problem is delivering content as a syndicator. Presently, only one syndicator, King World, provides any HD programming and that is Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. The reason is the technical incompatibility of network HD protocols.

ABC uses a different format from ABC/ESPN and CBS, all of those are different from a FOX station. Many of the network stations' HD receiving gear is locked down on the Network feed and is unable to pick up any other sat feeds. Throw in the low power small network/independent stations who possibly lack any basic HD capabilites at all, and delivering in HD to a full syndicated network becomes quite the task. I would imagine a syndicator like Raycom/LFS would be looking at roughly 1/3 of their 35-40 syndicated network stations being able to accomodate/broadcast to handle an HD event like the ACC Tourney.

That's kinda quick and dirty look at it. Too bad I don't really have any idea what I'm talking about.

 

I understand !

 

Glad I could clear it up. Basically, it costs a shitload more money and stations are gonna have to upgrade their hamsters.


More info:

http://www.newsobserver.com/734/story/541449.html

 

bout fucking time.

anywho, vito, i think i know the answer to this question, but you seem to have insight.

a few weeks back espn was running a college b-ball game. it wasn't on hd on time warner. he has directv and said it was in hd. i'd bet about all of my life savings that he's full of crap because a network doesn't run hd on one broadcast for a company and not run hd for the other.

he's really an idiot when it comes to stuff like that.

 

Not likely but there is the possibility that TWC was having problems turning the HD signal. Shit happens.