The Sinclair Broadcast Group has begun airing a new commercial campaign on its stations’ analog NTSC channels to raise consumer awareness of its free, over-the-air HDTV offering. If successful, the move could spur other broadcasters to advertise their DTV channels or risk losing audience share to cable and satellite TV providers.
Sinclair will also boost the power levels of its 20 FOX affiliates across the country, to prepare for the network’s first full foray into HD broadcasts. Beginning with the fall TV season FOX will air at least six NFL games and a full slate of primetime entertainment programming per week in the 720p HDTV format.
The 2004 NFL on FOX season, which will culminate with the live presentation of Super Bowl XXXIX, premieres Sunday, Sept. 12 with doubleheader coverage of seven games. In total, FOX Sports said it would broadcast a 111-game regular season slate, including nine doubleheader Sundays, the traditional Thanksgiving Day game and two special late-season non-Sunday national broadcasts.
The PSAs will be available in :10-, :20- and :30-second lengths.
When complete, the PSAs will be available from the Sinclair Broadcast Group's new Web site, that’s been redesigned to support the informational campaign.
