HD Content

Both Major studios and public broadcasters are turning all HD

TV channels with high budget are already strongly committed in shooting most of their new programs in the HD format:

  • In 2003 75% of MGM's production was HD.
  • 80% of WB’s television content is shot or transferred to HD.
  • 80% of Disney’s production is already in HD and they plan to it to be 100% in the next four years.
  • Public broadcasters are more cautious in their approach of the HD format.
  • Public network are producing between 2 and 28 hours of HD programs per week.
HD format, however, involves higher investment for TV channels.

According to Discovery Communications Inc. chairman and CEO John Hendricks the added expense of shooting in HD is now roughly between $ 25,000 and $ 30,000 in additional costs for an hour of HD programming (15 to 20% more than an equivalent SD program).

Production drivers:

  • Maintain or increase the audience when the massive take-off of HDTV will occur.
  • The demand for HD programs, underlined by the increasing penetration rate of HD equipments and the DVD success
  • The development of HD video, which presents an additional outlet to TV channels for studios.
  • The decreasing cost of producing in HD.
  • Government support
The Introduction of DVD - an Added Value for the Viewer

Increased quality of pictures

  • Improved quality of picture and sound are the two main reasons supporting purchases
  • Immersion in TV programming is increased – fewer barriers between the viewer, largely passive, and the content, which comes to him
  • The taste of viewers for programming introduced deeper into reality is also underlined by the overall success or real TV

Additional content bonuses:

  • Introduction of a new diversity in programming, with exclusive content (making-ofs) and an extended choice for the viewer
  • This taste for diversity is also underlined by the success of multi-channel programming

The added value of DVDs has been sufficient to outpace initial hindrances, which no other technology targeting higher quality of picture (16:9, early HD trials) has been able to do since colour TV.