The company recently announced that it would increase production of HD broadcasts by up to 60% compared with last year’s output. This month the network also launched a digital archive of its 2005 NFL broadcasts in HD, which will make the programs available on demand for repurposing and further distribution.

HD endeavors such as these are thought to be potentially lucrative in the sports world. FSN COO Randy Freer believes that the passionate nature of sports lends itself particularly well to HD broadcasts. By producing an overall sharpness and clarity, HD broadcasts get the viewer “closer to the action,” which lends to the excitement of a live broadcast event. Additionally, the wide dimensions of an HD (the aspect ratio of HD is 16:9 instead of the standard 4:3 screen) allow for a better view of the playing field. In baseball, for instance, one can view home, first and third base all in one shot. Watching a hockey game becomes easier as fans can see both corners at once. (This is especially good news for notoriously zealous hockey fans who’ve long awaited NHL’s return from the recent strike.)  

FSN HD, the company’s high def sports channel, will include over 450 regional basketball, baseball and hockey games. So that no one misses a show, Fox will broadcast the games in standard def, or SD, and HD on separate channels. Rather than having two production trucks per event, which would be financially unfeasible, Fox hired Mobile Television Group to renovate their trucks to include both HD and SD equipment.  

In addition to increased HD filming, FSN also improved its system of archiving for selected HD broadcasts. Resulting from a co-design with IBM and Sirius Computer Solutions, the network recently launched a digital archiving system that makes NFL games available on-demand for repurposing and further distribution.

The new archive uses a traditional broadcast format along with encoding standards like ASI and MPEG that combine to allow easier transmission of digitally compressed HD NFL broadcasts. These broadcasts can now be easily sent directly from production trucks at the stadium to the archive located at Fox’s Los Angeles headquarters. The system also includes faster transference of large volumes of data, with storage tapes that can accommodate up to three NFL HD broadcasts, which typically require about 115 GB of storage.

Traditionally, the broadcast videotape and production system was harder and more costly to deploy. This improved method of managing content is intended to manage costs while keeping Fox competitive as it continues to develop pricey high definition content.

With digital transmission currently required by government mandate as early as 2007, (although proposed legislation may push back the deadline to 2009) the demand for HD-related technology continues to increase. However, consumer interest in HD is still challenged by the fact that HD television sets are still high-priced luxury items. And although exposure to HDTV is increasing, there are still many viewers that don’t know what they’re missing. In order to showcase the capabilities of the HD, Fox Sports is sponsoring a club with DirectTV at the Key Arena in Seattle. Other such events at various locations may be in the works but nothing definite has been announced.

Freer sees the future of HD in this market as something that will “continue to grow with 85–90% of all events locally and nationally produced in HD.” Freer said that the network’s goals in regards to HD are to “be a leader in sports production,” as well as to “meet the needs of our distributors, as it drives conversion from analog to digital.”


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