January 25th, 2010 
joel Blogs are the thing to P&T readers.
When we asked how often you read Erie-based blogs, two-thirds of respondents said that they were connected to local blogs at least weekly.
Peyton Manning
So I’m watching the Colts put the hurt on the Jets on my sib’s 50″ 120 Hz HDTV. The WSEE/CBS pass-through looked amazing. The game footage, the graphics, replays and the commercials were sharp and effective.
But then they went local. Actually the upsampling of the standard def spots and promos didn’t totally fall apart, but compared to the net, the local origination left a lot to be desired.
Now I know that the cost of changing over the local side is in the millions, and considering that we are still in a recession, that kind of capital outlay is difficult. But if not now, then when?
How soon for local HDTV?
- I can't see it happening in the foreseeable future (63%, 25 Votes)
- It will take 3 years (23%, 9 Votes)
- Between 12-24 months (13%, 5 Votes)
- Sometime in 2010 (1%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 40
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Actually I thought that WKBN had a sharper picture than WSEE did when carrying the network feed. There was a lot more microblocking on WSEE than on WKBN as well and WKBN carries TWO HD signals for CBS on 27-1 and Fox on 27-2.
i actually think the two stations are not created equal here. WJET/WFXP have brand-new HD news cameras, editors and, of course, HD digital transmitters…just about the only thing holding them back from making the transition is their studio setup! WICU/WSEE on the other hand have a hodge-podge of shooting equipment, editors etc. that would require a more substantial investment to go HD with local content.
one thing is for sure here: the first station to start broadcasting local news in HD will attract a LOT of eyeballs from the other one.
All I can say is…”Amelia Segal in HD!!”
One thing that has me hoping in that it happens in the near future is that at least when the do a weather or school closing crawl now, it doesn’t switch out of HD and the crawl is full screen.
Never had any problems with my WSEE feed. In fact I can get CBS19 out of Cleveland as well as WKBN and I think there all great as far as clarity. WKBN local segments are much better in picture than WSEE. 19 Action News is in HD and is really sharp.
Big Guy, locally I can’t see it happening until local advertisers make a stink about it. Why should the locals make that cash-output until the advertisers demand it? (Yes, I know that a forward-thinking owner would do that on his own, using the quality-upgrade as a selling-point, and, if not, simply doing it as a matter of pride…) These days, local owners (especially those with the initials of BL, SJL, etc.) are in the business to make a quick, short-term profit. Quality doesn’t matter to them. Why should they put out several thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars to put out a local product that is of the quality that the network produces? As long as the local advertisers don’t bitch about the quality of their product (ON AIR, not what they are shown in the edit suites at the stations), why should the local managers put that much dough-re-mi into the over-the-air product? It doesn’t make them any more money, and that is all that matters to these people anymore. They aren’t broadcasters, they are businesspeople.
The days of Mike Csop and Jim Vrenna and Bill Podbielski and Brady Louis caring about the QUALITY of the signal, about the QUALITY of the local product are over. It sucks, it’s wrong, but, it’s (to quote Bruce Hornsby) “Just The Way It Is”…
CHA-ching is all that matters anymore. If the local advertisers are willing to have their product look like shit compared to the national feed, then that’s what it’s going to be for the forseeable future.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34619571/ns/business-media_biz/
I think the future will be NBC, CBS, etc will be direct over cable without free OTA TV. And local news updates over cable like 35 use to do.
It would be unfortunate for those without any cable or satellite due to cost. I see Jet airing NAB spots regarding OTA TV going away. It would be interesting to see how NFL games would be distributed to “home” markets like those required Buffalo games to Erie without local stations in the mix.
They can’t care about quality… watch any show in HD and then when it switches to local commercials it makes my eyes burn.
what’s going on at 12? WSEE news is on in place of their 11 pm newscast. and WSEE is on black…
More quality control from Brian Lilly and company.
I predict about 2-3 years for the local stations to go full HD. As said somewhere else in the comments, it would take a while to get all the equipment upgraded, and a significant investment. I think 24 and 66 will be the first.
12/35 won’t go until Brian Lilly is forced to by the others in town. He is toooo cheap to spend the money.