07-20-2007, 02:16 AM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tampa, Florida
Age: 25
Posts: 15,783
|
Suns to televise season in HD
link
Quote:
Phoenix will be 1st NBA team to broadcast entire schedule in format
Five years ago, Suns executives pledged to one day lead the industry in the use of technology to improve the fan experience, both inside and outside US Airways Center.
Next season the team will take the next step in that vision, becoming the first NBA team - and first Arizona pro sports franchise - to broadcast its entire regular-season schedule in high definition.
"This is something we've talked about for a while," said Rick Welts, Suns president and chief operating officer. "The last couple seasons we've done about 10 HD broadcasts, but the costs keep coming down, there's better equipment, there's better production facilities. It really was the right time."
The driving force behind the decision was the team's recent success and popularity. There's a simple rule in the sports business: Not much matters if the product doesn't pique curiosity. Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has led the Suns to three consecutive Pacific Division titles and has molded them into perennial championship contenders. Shawn Marion, Amaré Stoudemire and Steve Nash are among the league's more popular players.
As a result, the Suns have become the hottest ticket in town. They ended last season with 71 consecutive sellouts. Season tickets for next season sold out in May, the first time that has happened in nearly a decade. The franchise plans to have 1,000 tickets available for public sale before every game next season.
"We didn't want a 'sold-out' sign on the arena before the season even started," Welts said. "We want a couple to be able to get two tickets and watch a game. But this heightens the importance of making this decision . . . It was important that we do everything possible to make every telecast next season a special event."
High definition television - in roughly 30 million U.S. homes - is a digital broadcasting system with a much higher resolution than traditional formats. It delivers a sharper image because of the increased number of pixels the digital signal puts on the screen, which is perfect for sports.
The technology's popularity among fans rocketed four years ago when the NFL began broadcasting regular-season games in high definition. Suddenly, the cuts on an offensive lineman's arms came into focus. Crowd shots were more clear. Viewers saw a wider field. Action was crisp and sharp.
The Suns expect a similar splash, although it will come at a cost. Production costs will increase 25 to 30 percent per game, according to Dan Siekmann, the team's director of broadcasting. Unlike many pro teams, the Suns produce all games on local television with a 20-person crew. Their local games will be shown on KUTP My45 and FSNAZ.
NBA partners ABC/ESPN and TNT televise all national games in high definition.
"I feel like we're hitting the pinnacle and it's about time," Siekmann said. "I'm thrilled just to be at this level."
Welts called the switch an investment. The bottom line, he said, is high definition improves the Suns brand.
"Quality," Welts said, "wins over time
|
|
|
|
Suns to televise season in HD
Linear Mode
