I'm very excited about this press release:
CHICAGO, December 17, 2003 -- WGN-TV takes another giant step forward for Chicago sports fans this season with today’s announcement that beginning in April 2004, all WGN-TV Cubs, White Sox and Bulls home game telecasts will be produced in the high definition television format. Approximately 70 home sporting events will be available in HDTV on WGN-DT, making WGN one of the leading HDTV sports programmers in the country. Chicago viewers will be able to view the broadcasts on
WGN-DT channel 19 in 1080i format with 5.1 surround audio.“We’re proud to continue WGN’s pioneering legacy by bringing this exciting new technology to our viewers,” commented WGN-TV VP/General Manager John Vitanovec. “We couldn’t do this without the support of the Bulls, White Sox and Chicago Cubs and we’re happy they join us in our commitment to provide the finest in sports programming for Chicago television viewers.”
·Chicago Cubs: WGN-TV begins a 56th season as the home of Cubs baseball by ushering in the HDTV era. Catch the action, the ivy, and Dusty Baker’s National League Central Division Champions in crisp detail!
·Chicago White Sox: Catch HDTV action live with new manager Ozzie Guillen’s squad in the newly redesigned U.S Cellular Field.
·Chicago Bulls: HDTV telecasts of the “new look” Bulls team will be available in November 2004 on WGN-TV games broadcast from the United Center.
WGN-TV kicks off the New Year in HD by broadcasting the 115th Rose Parade on January 1, 2004 beginning at 10am CT on WGN-DT, channel 19. The show, produced by WGN-TV’s sister station KTLA in Los Angeles, is a New Year’s tradition that is more than a century old.
In addition, Chicago viewers can watch more than ten hours of HDTV programming per week on the WB during the ‘03/’04 season, including hour dramas “Everwood,” “Gilmore Girls,” “One Tree Hill,” “Smallville” and “Angel” and half- hour shows, “What I like About You,” “Run of the House,” “Reba,” “Like Family” and “All about the Andersons.”
Digital TV (DTV) is a broadcasting technology that uses digital signals instead of analog signals. This transmission format offers the viewer a wider aspect ratio (16:9) with clearer, sharper images. Programming on WGN-DT is available only to those users utilizing a digital television set. WGN-DT began transmitting on January 5, 2001 from atop the Sears Tower.
That's a lot of Cub games in high-def.
Bring It!