Reality Producers Lagging as HDTV Deadline Looms By CARLOS MARTINEZ Staff Reporter Reality television producers have been slow to adopt new high definition television standards, but some fear that those who wait may be left behind by their HD competitors. “Unfortunately, as costly and expensive as HD is, it’s here to stay and we all better get used to it,” said Gary Tarpinian, president of Burbank-based reality show producer Morningstar Entertainment. High definition television which is slated to replace standard analog television by 2006, has been slowly adopted by the broadcast television networks which now show most of their prime time shows in the HD format. Under federal law, all television broadcasters must phase out broadcasting standard television signals by 2006 in favor of high definition television broadcasts, which are carried on higher frequencies than standard signals. The changeover means only those with high definition television sets will be able to watch television. Cable channels, however, have been late in adopting the format, showing only a fraction of their shows in HD. Many reality producers say they have yet to adopt the format and will continue to use the standard format until the change to HD becomes official. “You have to buy all new equipment and change the way you do things,” said Rasha Drachkovitch, president of 44 Blue Productions in North Hollywood. Although shooting in high definition is not new to Drachkovitch, he does not plan to go HD on his projects just yet. “There’s no need yet to get a bunch of Hi-Def equipment and start shooting in that format when there’s not that much demand for it,” he said. “But we’re open to doing Hi Def if the right project comes along.” Nick Dager, publisher of Digital Cinema Report, said costs will keep many from adopting the format even at risk of future deals. “It’s an economic decision that producers have to make and it’s a risk not to go HD and then get left behind,” Dager said. “Networks like to go with experience and HD is no different.” Costs for shooting in high definition are generally 20 to 25 percent higher than shooting in standard video format, due to expensive cameras and equipment along with more complicated and time-consuming postproduction work, Dager said. Need increases Peter Riordan, director of production services for Discovery Networks, the leading purchaser of reality programming today, said his network’s need for HD programming is increasing as more viewers are switching from standard definition television sets to those with HD capabilities. “There is a lot more demand for programming in HD than there ever was before and we are actively looking for projects that would work well in HD,” Riordan said. Discovery Networks operates 12 channels, including its flagship Discovery Channel, and its other top-rated channels, The Learning Channel, The Travel Channel, and Discovery HD Theater, its only channel dedicated just to HD programming which launched in June. “This year we made a $65 million commitment to provide 30 hours of HD programming and that’s a very significant step for us,” Riordan said. As part of that program, producers will be asked to develop program ideas aimed at the network’s HD Theater channel primarily, though the potential programs would also be broadcast on the network’s Discovery Channel and its sister channels, Riordan said. “We’re seeing more producers coming to us and pitching projects in HD and that’s a big change from what we’ve seen in the past,” he said. Although budgets for an hour of programming have been around $150,000 per hour for shows shot in standard definition, the network plans to improve the budgets on a case-by-case basis for those shot in HD. Jim Milio, veteran producer and cofounder of MPH Entertainment in Burbank, said more producers are realizing the importance of shooting in HD. “You see a lot more people shooting in HD or developing projects for it, but it’s really to show you can work in HD so it becomes kind of a showcase,” Milio said. “It’s becoming important to have content in HD because that’s where things are headed and you don’t want to be the guy who hasn’t worked in it.” Greater emphasis MPH itself has shot a few shows in HD and is developing a number of programs for that format, but Milio said the higher cost for HD remains an issue with other producers. But the bottom line remains making an entertaining program that people want to watch, Milio said. “If you don’t have a good story or compelling characters that draw you in, then it doesn’t matter how pretty the pictures are,” he said. The Fox Broadcasting Co. which plans to begin HD broadcasts next year, is asking its reality producers to shoot in HD format. The network is known for such reality specials as “World’s Wildest Police Videos,” and “When Good Pets Go Bad.” Fox Engineering President Andrew Setos said the network is transitioning into HD and many of its shows are already shooting in that format in preparation for the switch. The three other major networks have been broadcasting in HD for the last three years and their reality programs have been shot in that format since then. The move toward high definition television was prompted by the rapid improvements in digital television technology and by the growing demand for bandwidth by cell phone and telecommunications companies. Digital high definition television broadcasts compress signals into a narrower broadcast band, allowing current bands to be used for communications by commercial and government entities.
