ESPNHD
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ESPNHD | |
Type | Cable Television Network |
---|---|
Country | ![]() |
Availability | National |
Founder | George Bodenheimer |
Owner | The Walt Disney Company (80%) Hearst Corporation (20%) |
Launch date | March 30, 2003 |
ESPNHD, launched March 30th, 2003 is a high-definition simulcast of the cable television network ESPN, both owned by Disney that broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ESPNHD along with sister network ABCHD use the 720p HD line standard because the ABC executives proposed a progressive 'p' signal resolves fluid and high speed motion in sports better, particurally during slow motion replays.[1]
Generally all Bristol studio shows (except for College Gameday and Friday Night Fights) and most live events on ESPN are produced high definition. ESPN is one of the few networks with an all-digital infrastructure. Shows that are recorded elsewhere − such as Jim Rome Is Burning (Los Angeles); Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn (Washington, D.C.); and Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith (formerly) and Cold Pizza (New York City) − are presented in a standard definition, 4:3 format with stylized pillar boxes. ESPN, however maintains a policy that any video that originates in high definition must remain in HD when aired on ESPNHD.
Recently the network has come under considerable scrutiny from industry technicians and early adopter HD consumers due to a recent noticeable degradation in picture quality, specifically during live events. It is unclear whether this is the result of over-compression, rate shaping or bit starving from cable and satellite providers or something amiss in the ESPN distribution chain.[2]