TBS HD Sets Sept. 1 Debut

fredfa · 06-26-07, 11:59 AM

TBS to Go High Def September 1st
By Anthony Crupi MediaWeek June 26, 2007

Turner on Tuesday announced that it will launch a high-definition simulcast of TBS on Sept. 1.

TBS original series like My Boys and The Bill Engvall Show are already shot in high-def; older acquisitions (Seinfeld, Friends, etc.) will be upconverted to the 1080i HD format.

“With the launch of TBS in HD, we will bring an outstanding line-up of comedy programming to our viewers in a video format that is on the fast track to becoming the industry and consumer standard,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “We are extremely proud to bring TBS to the HD world.”

Once the feed goes live, all TBS fare––including its coverage of Major League Baseball’s Division Series Playoffs and the National League Championship Series––will be available in high-def.

To maintain consistency and avoid the diminished visual experience of pillaring, all commercials on TBS in HD will be presented in a widescreen format.

Turner launched an HD version of its flagship drama network, TNT, in May 2004.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cab..._id=1003603758

fredfa · 06-26-07, 12:02 PM

The TBS News Release:

TBS To Bring New Definition to Comedy with TBS in HD

High-Def Service Slated To Launch Sept. 1

Comedy is about to be defined in a whole new way as TBS prepares to enter the HDTV arena with the launch of TBS in HD in September, it was announced today by Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. The HDTV simulcast of TBS’s East Coast feed will offer viewers a stellar line-up of comedy that includes such exclusive programs as the TBS original series My Boys and The Bill Engvall Show, which are being shot in high-definition; first-run series like Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, which recently set an ad-supported cable ratings record; hot contemporary sitcoms like Seinfeld, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Sex and the City; and highly rated comedy specials like World’s Funniest Commercials. TBS in HD will launch Saturday, Sept. 1.

"With the launch of TBS in HD, we will bring an outstanding line-up of comedy programming to our viewers in a video format that is on the fast track to becoming the industry and consumer standard," said Koonin. "We are extremely proud to bring TBS to the HD world."

"TBS is an excellent choice to be among the latest high-definition offerings from Turner Broadcasting," said Coleman Breland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Turner Network Sales. "With the very best comedy line-up on television, TBS in HD is certain to be a big draw for viewers."

In addition to the network’s top-rated line-up of comedy programming, TBS in HD will also showcase high-def presentations of TBS’s exclusive coverage of the Major League Baseball’s Division Series Playoffs and the National League Championship Series.

TBS in HD will be broadcast in 1080i 24 hours a day and use Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound across all TBS in HD programming. In addition, TBS in HD will present all of its programming, including promotional content and commercials, in 16:9 wide-screen, giving viewers a consistent viewing experience.

WaldorfSalad · 06-26-07, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredfa

[To maintain consistency and avoid the diminished visual experience of pillaring, all commercials on TBS in HD will be presented in a widescreen format.

Turner launched an HD version of its flagship drama network, TNT, in May 2004.

Anyone care to speculate if TBS HD programming will be presented in stretch-o-vision like TNT?

Marcus Carr · 06-26-07, 12:14 PM

Going from unstretched to s t r e t c h e d is NOT a consistent viewing experience.

Amel · 06-26-07, 12:18 PM

ahh

thats good news

stretched or not, get rid of the damn side bars!

Howie · 06-26-07, 12:19 PM

I wonder if we'll finally get to see Seinfeld in HD? I seem to recall a thread about that last year, but I'm not aware that any HD episodes aired anywhere. Hopefully they won't be shown in that stretchy-vision.

bicker1 · 06-26-07, 12:20 PM

I find it a bit strange that TBS is going HD before F/X and USA, both of which are networks from similarly strong companies, and both of which could present substantially stronger HD offerings.

fredfa · 06-26-07, 12:21 PM

TBS has the baseball playoffs this year.

I would assume they need a few weeks to get things rolling before the games begin.

fredfa · 06-26-07, 12:22 PM

The TBS press release specifically mentions Seinfeld.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howie

I wonder if we'll finally get to see Seinfeld in HD? I seem to recall a thread about that last year, but I'm not aware that any HD episodes aired anywhere. Hopefully they won't be shown in that stretchy-vision.

mx6bfast · 06-26-07, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaldorfSalad

Anyone care to speculate if TBS HD programming will be presented in stretch-o-vision like TNT?

Man I hope not. Not only that, will all programs be listed as HD?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amel

stretched or not, get rid of the damn side bars!

So you'd rather see people with fat heads instead of a more true looking picture that happens to have side bars? Do you like the look TNT HD uses?

Jeremy W · 06-26-07, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mx6bfast

Man I hope not. Not only that, will all programs be listed as HD?

I'm sure it will be stretched, and everything will be "HD." Turner will probably do all of their networks like this, and I hate them for it. Why anyone thinks sending out a distorted picture is a good thing is beyond me.

McDonoughDawg · 06-26-07, 12:51 PM

I get TBS OTA feed through Comcast Cable in Atlanta. The last couple of years, they had been showing the Braves home games in HD. It was hands down some of the best looking HD you will see. That is the ONLY true HD content I have seen on TBS in the last 2 years.

This year, they quit showing the home games on TBS in HD. Hopefully, the HD they show in their shows, will rival the baseball HD from years past.

uncrules · 06-26-07, 12:56 PM

Besides D*, I wonder what other providers will carry TBS-HD. And boo to stretch-o-vision coming to TBS-HD.

rebkell · 06-26-07, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncrules

Besides D*, I wonder what other providers will carry TBS-HD. And boo to stretch-o-vision coming to TBS-HD.

Yeah, and when will they carry it? When also includes D*.

afiggatt · 06-26-07, 01:09 PM

If they want people to see the baseball playoffs in HD on TBS-HD, isn't a September 1 start-up date cutting it way too close? How many cable companies will have added TBS-HD to even a few of their regions by the start of October? The pattern has been to take months to add a new HD channel across most of their franchises and many areas still don't have channels that were added to other Comcast & TWC franchises many months ago. D* will presumably have TBS-HD when/if their new satellite starts up, so that may be it for TBS-HD.

It took Verizon Fios two weeks to roll out the last 3 HD channels added (Food, HDTV, Lifetime Movies) across all their states. And two of those HD channels has been around for close to a year prior to that.

With the number of high profile HD channels that are starting up this fall, I hope the cable companies and Verizon are making plans to add them much more quickly than they have been.

schroedk · 06-26-07, 01:12 PM

My money's on stretch-o-vision like on TNT-HD, which I personally can't even watch. I'll watch HD on TNT when it's actually HD; if not, I actually prefer to watch the SD feed from DirecTV. I watch TBS a lot, too, primarily Seinfeld, Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond reruns. Thankfully I will have the complete Seinfeld series on DVD by November when Season 9 comes out and it looks fantastic streamed through my MG-35 in it's normal 4:3 aspect ratio, so I won't have to worry about that one.

123HDTV · 06-26-07, 01:18 PM

I think you'll see the pace step up. Most companies have already announced HD offerings for the fall. TBS is late out of the gate, but, not unexpected with their announcement. It was pretty widely assumed they would be in HD for the playoffs. Any cable operator who isn't ready for them now is asleep at the switch. This means Comcast and Cablevision and Time Warner will have slow deployments.

With more and more HD customers they really are at pressure point to make sure they're on top of things.

AlanSaysYo · 06-26-07, 01:24 PM

I'm not excited... this is going to end up being worse than TNT HD in terms of stretched programming. The absence of pillar bars is a step backwards.

chitchatjf · 06-26-07, 01:43 PM

Stretched SD commercials are OK on a TRUE HD program.

SD shows should be pillarboxed.

fredfa · 06-26-07, 01:44 PM

TBS announced months ago it would be providing an HD channel before the baseball playoffs start. This date is about what was expected.

It has the rights to all Division Series games (conflicts will be shown on TNT HD) as well as the NLCS this year, then the ALCS in 2008.

The unofficial start date for many new HD offerings on DirecTV seems to be Sept. 5. But given the heavy emphasis on sports programming, it seems clear TBS will be offered at the latest by the time the baseball playoffs begin, with three games on Wednesday, October 3.

Jeremy W · 06-26-07, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitchatjf

SD shows should be pillarboxed.

But I need to use every pixel on the brand new 42" TV I just bought from Walmart!

Ken H · 06-26-07, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker1

I find it a bit strange that TBS is going HD before F/X and USA, both of which are networks from similarly strong companies, and both of which could present substantially stronger HD offerings.

TBS going HD was a lock due to the MLB deal. FX is also due for HD, as the Turner Atlanta HD facility is being built out.

bicker1 · 06-26-07, 02:11 PM

Does TBS actually provide any original drama programs? (Going to their website to check.)

Jeremy W · 06-26-07, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken H

FX is also due for HD, as the Turner Atlanta HD facility is being built out.

But FX is owned by Fox...

Ken H · 06-26-07, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy W

But FX is owned by Fox...

Your completely right! My bad, sorry.

Berk32 · 06-26-07, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker1

Does TBS actually provide any original drama programs? (Going to their website to check.)

No...

TNT = "We Know Drama"
TBS = Comedy

They set it up that way a few years back.

roachxp · 06-26-07, 03:05 PM

I was waiting for this I was getting tired off see the TBS HD commerical for their comedy on TNT.

DeathRay · 06-26-07, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredfa

The TBS press release specifically mentions Seinfeld.

yes, but they say "older acquisitions (Seinfeld, Friends, etc.) will be upconverted to the 1080i HD format."

that could mean stretchytime.

nhlfan79 · 06-26-07, 03:25 PM

I wonder if this covers WTBS-DT here in Atlanta...

CycloneGT · 06-26-07, 03:29 PM

I think that what he means is that its been long known that Seinfeld was remastered in High Definition, but it hasn't beens shown in HD yet. The PR states that Seinfeld would be "upconverted", but I think that some of us hold out hope, that they it may eventually get shown in True HD instead of upconversion.

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fredfa AVS moderator AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tarpon Springs FL 34688 Posts: 45,632	TBS HD Sets Sept. 1 Debut TBS to Go High Def September 1st By Anthony Crupi MediaWeek June 26, 2007 Turner on Tuesday announced that it will launch a high-definition simulcast of TBS on Sept. 1. TBS original series like My Boys and The Bill Engvall Show are already shot in high-def; older acquisitions (Seinfeld, Friends, etc.) will be upconverted to the 1080i HD format. “With the launch of TBS in HD, we will bring an outstanding line-up of comedy programming to our viewers in a video format that is on the fast track to becoming the industry and consumer standard,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “We are extremely proud to bring TBS to the HD world.” Once the feed goes live, all TBS fare––including its coverage of Major League Baseball’s Division Series Playoffs and the National League Championship Series––will be available in high-def. To maintain consistency and avoid the diminished visual experience of pillaring, all commercials on TBS in HD will be presented in a widescreen format. Turner launched an HD version of its flagship drama network, TNT, in May 2004. http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cab..._id=1003603758 __________________ The Latest TV News, Comments, Reviews and Ratings

06-26-07, 12:02 PM	#2 \| Link
fredfa AVS moderator AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tarpon Springs FL 34688 Posts: 45,632	The TBS News Release: TBS To Bring New Definition to Comedy with TBS in HD High-Def Service Slated To Launch Sept. 1 Comedy is about to be defined in a whole new way as TBS prepares to enter the HDTV arena with the launch of TBS in HD in September, it was announced today by Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. The HDTV simulcast of TBS’s East Coast feed will offer viewers a stellar line-up of comedy that includes such exclusive programs as the TBS original series My Boys and The Bill Engvall Show, which are being shot in high-definition; first-run series like Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, which recently set an ad-supported cable ratings record; hot contemporary sitcoms like Seinfeld, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Sex and the City; and highly rated comedy specials like World’s Funniest Commercials. TBS in HD will launch Saturday, Sept. 1. "With the launch of TBS in HD, we will bring an outstanding line-up of comedy programming to our viewers in a video format that is on the fast track to becoming the industry and consumer standard," said Koonin. "We are extremely proud to bring TBS to the HD world." "TBS is an excellent choice to be among the latest high-definition offerings from Turner Broadcasting," said Coleman Breland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Turner Network Sales. "With the very best comedy line-up on television, TBS in HD is certain to be a big draw for viewers." In addition to the network’s top-rated line-up of comedy programming, TBS in HD will also showcase high-def presentations of TBS’s exclusive coverage of the Major League Baseball’s Division Series Playoffs and the National League Championship Series. TBS in HD will be broadcast in 1080i 24 hours a day and use Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound across all TBS in HD programming. In addition, TBS in HD will present all of its programming, including promotional content and commercials, in 16:9 wide-screen, giving viewers a consistent viewing experience. __________________ The Latest TV News, Comments, Reviews and Ratings

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Amel Jigga Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Clearwater Fl Posts: 626	ahh thats good news stretched or not, get rid of the damn side bars!

06-26-07, 12:21 PM	#8 \| Link
fredfa AVS moderator AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tarpon Springs FL 34688 Posts: 45,632	TBS has the baseball playoffs this year. I would assume they need a few weeks to get things rolling before the games begin. __________________ The Latest TV News, Comments, Reviews and Ratings

06-26-07, 12:51 PM	#12 \| Link
McDonoughDawg Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 597	I get TBS OTA feed through Comcast Cable in Atlanta. The last couple of years, they had been showing the Braves home games in HD. It was hands down some of the best looking HD you will see. That is the ONLY true HD content I have seen on TBS in the last 2 years. This year, they quit showing the home games on TBS in HD. Hopefully, the HD they show in their shows, will rival the baseball HD from years past. __________________ Peachtree City Golf Cart Rider Last edited by McDonoughDawg; 06-26-07 at 06:17 PM..

06-26-07, 12:14 PM	#4 \| Link
Marcus Carr HDTVangelist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Baltimore City Posts: 6,755	Going from unstretched to s t r e t c h e d is NOT a consistent viewing experience.

06-26-07, 12:19 PM	#6 \| Link
Howie Frequent Lurker Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 215	I wonder if we'll finally get to see Seinfeld in HD? I seem to recall a thread about that last year, but I'm not aware that any HD episodes aired anywhere. Hopefully they won't be shown in that stretchy-vision.

06-26-07, 12:20 PM	#7 \| Link
bicker1 AVS Special Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 7,463	I find it a bit strange that TBS is going HD before F/X and USA, both of which are networks from similarly strong companies, and both of which could present substantially stronger HD offerings.

06-26-07, 12:56 PM	#13 \| Link
uncrules Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 688	Besides D*, I wonder what other providers will carry TBS-HD. And boo to stretch-o-vision coming to TBS-HD.

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afiggatt AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 4,294	If they want people to see the baseball playoffs in HD on TBS-HD, isn't a September 1 start-up date cutting it way too close? How many cable companies will have added TBS-HD to even a few of their regions by the start of October? The pattern has been to take months to add a new HD channel across most of their franchises and many areas still don't have channels that were added to other Comcast & TWC franchises many months ago. D* will presumably have TBS-HD when/if their new satellite starts up, so that may be it for TBS-HD. It took Verizon Fios two weeks to roll out the last 3 HD channels added (Food, HDTV, Lifetime Movies) across all their states. And two of those HD channels has been around for close to a year prior to that. With the number of high profile HD channels that are starting up this fall, I hope the cable companies and Verizon are making plans to add them much more quickly than they have been.

06-26-07, 01:12 PM	#16 \| Link
schroedk AVS Special Member AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Rushville, IL Posts: 1,746 Classified Rating: 100% (16)	My money's on stretch-o-vision like on TNT-HD, which I personally can't even watch. I'll watch HD on TNT when it's actually HD; if not, I actually prefer to watch the SD feed from DirecTV. I watch TBS a lot, too, primarily Seinfeld, Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond reruns. Thankfully I will have the complete Seinfeld series on DVD by November when Season 9 comes out and it looks fantastic streamed through my MG-35 in it's normal 4:3 aspect ratio, so I won't have to worry about that one.

06-26-07, 01:18 PM	#17 \| Link
123HDTV Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 342	I think you'll see the pace step up. Most companies have already announced HD offerings for the fall. TBS is late out of the gate, but, not unexpected with their announcement. It was pretty widely assumed they would be in HD for the playoffs. Any cable operator who isn't ready for them now is asleep at the switch. This means Comcast and Cablevision and Time Warner will have slow deployments. With more and more HD customers they really are at pressure point to make sure they're on top of things.

06-26-07, 01:24 PM	#18 \| Link
AlanSaysYo AVS Special Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,016	I'm not excited... this is going to end up being worse than TNT HD in terms of stretched programming. The absence of pillar bars is a step backwards.

06-26-07, 01:43 PM	#19 \| Link
chitchatjf FIOS fan! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lawrence MA Posts: 2,934	Stretched SD commercials are OK on a TRUE HD program. SD shows should be pillarboxed.

06-26-07, 01:44 PM	#20 \| Link
fredfa AVS moderator AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tarpon Springs FL 34688 Posts: 45,632	TBS announced months ago it would be providing an HD channel before the baseball playoffs start. This date is about what was expected. It has the rights to all Division Series games (conflicts will be shown on TNT HD) as well as the NLCS this year, then the ALCS in 2008. The unofficial start date for many new HD offerings on DirecTV seems to be Sept. 5. But given the heavy emphasis on sports programming, it seems clear TBS will be offered at the latest by the time the baseball playoffs begin, with three games on Wednesday, October 3. __________________ The Latest TV News, Comments, Reviews and Ratings

06-26-07, 02:11 PM	#23 \| Link
bicker1 AVS Special Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 7,463	Does TBS actually provide any original drama programs? (Going to their website to check.)

06-26-07, 03:05 PM	#27 \| Link
roachxp Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MILFORD, MA Posts: 790	I was waiting for this I was getting tired off see the TBS HD commerical for their comedy on TNT.

06-26-07, 03:25 PM	#29 \| Link
nhlfan79 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 123	I wonder if this covers WTBS-DT here in Atlanta...

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CycloneGT Super Best Friend Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Boyds, Maryland Useful Posts: 15 Posts: 6,443	I think that what he means is that its been long known that Seinfeld was remastered in High Definition, but it hasn't beens shown in HD yet. The PR states that Seinfeld would be "upconverted", but I think that some of us hold out hope, that they it may eventually get shown in True HD instead of upconversion.