…And More TV Viewing Means Higher Ratings and Ad Revenue.
(Editor's Note: SJL and Nexstar What Don’t You Get?)
News from TVPredictions.com
HDTV Owners: The New Homebodies?New study says watching high-def has become a social event, keeping more Americans at home.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (December 7, 2006) -- Financially strapped movie theater owners may have a new reason to be concerned. High-Definition TV owners are more likely to stay home for their entertainment.
That's according to a new study by Synovate and reported by Marketing Daily. The research firm found that more than half of Americans are staying home more than they did two years ago. The biggest reason: HDTV. The widescreen, crystal-clear picture has turned watching television into a social event. Will HDTV keep movie lovers at home?
"The party is built around the wide-screen TV," says Steve Levine, senior vice president for technology, telecom and consumer electronics at Synovate.
Synovate surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults over the age of 18 and found that roughly 30 percent said they have a high-def set at home. Of this group, 47 percent said they are watching television in a social setting more often than before.
Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCChttp://www.dtv.gov
"Burning down is only one way to destroy a city. This time the people of Erie need help that can't be delivered from the nozzle of a hose."
--Pat Howad Erie Times-News 12/10/06--
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10 comments:
It also means more people sitting around getting fat eating nacho chips and watching mediocre programing. Let's face it...bad prime time programming in HD is still BAD PRIME TIME PROGRAMMING. It's too bad that content can't keep pace with technology.
Now that was an intelligent comment. I wish I could fight your arguement but I can't.
Other's feel the way you do too and tomorrow's post from an EMGR reader will fit to your thinking. I hope you jump in as well on the discussion then.
Hi Jack,
In your opinion when do you really see the Erie local stations moving to digital? I just moved here from Baltimore last year and it drives me nuts that I cannot enjoy HDTV.
Thanks
That is a two part question; carrying network programming in HD and local conversion of things like news and syndicated.
If you read some older posts you will note that WJET-TV and WFXP have both indicated a date with the FCC of digital for October 2008. NEXSTAR, who owns the station has not formally announced that they will be HD but they are converting all their other stations as we speak. My sources there indicate that the same is expected to happen. For WJET there is a good reason why it is pushed back as their digital assignment will change to DT 24 from the current DT 58. They can’t broadcast an analog and digital on the same frequency so one has to go off before the other goes on. There is no similar excuse for WFXP. In fact, FOX would help them with equipment they have been supplying all their affiliates.
WICU is in the same situation as WJET. However there has been no indication by SJL that either WICU or WSEE will ever be HD. Actually, we can’t even count on WSEE as it is today being on the air since they haven’t even started on a digital and have passed their Construction Permit date with the FCC.
As to original HD programming, that my friend is probably 5 to 10 years away. It will come with the normal wearing out of equipment for the sale of the stations to a new owner who has more imagination and deeper pockets.
As representatives from SJL have indicated on EMGR, they are in self denial about the FCC and the transition date. CBS is not happy either.
Hi Jack,
So to follow up to that post, you think October 2008 before football and other nationally televised HD shows will be available in Erie?
As of now for over-the-air, yes. I am sure you have considered satellite such as Direct or DISH which would give you footbal in HD.
It is possible that FOX could go earlier but I have had no indication of that.
If a certain station is sold in the market, it could move faster. I think we will get a better idea of all of this in the first quarter of next year.
Read tomorrows post and jump in. Your experience in Baltimore should be helpful to others.
When I was visiting Hanover, Pa. to see relatives, I was impressed by what both Harrisburg & Baltimore had to offer in HD. If I lived in that area, I'd definitely have an amplified outdoor antenna with a rotor. It must be a shock for the former Baltimore resident to see the lack of HD in the Erie area. Strange thing today, I was helping my Uncle in Greenfield township with an antenna for his new HDTV. He was impressed with the cleaner pictures on Erie's 4 DTV channels and was even more impressed that he pulled in WKBN's HD signal (CBS) along with the WYFX sub carrier that has Fox programming. It's hard to say if receiving WKBN was a fluke there but it would be a plus to watch CBS in HD since WSEE is still dragging it's heels and fighting the FCC all the way to 2/17/2009.
The "HD Advantage" sure helped out WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo.
I am so glad that you agree. WKBW was the last to go HD and since then their ratings have shot up with the other ABC affiliates. That is one reason why they feel so confident about emerging from Chapter 11.
It perceived that it is the other stations in the group and the amount they paid with interest that has put them into this bind.
Almost the same situation we see locally.
Notice that no employees will be terminated.
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