Big HD Tick for X Factor USA

TV3 has confirmed it will screen The X Factor USA in HD.

Simon Cowell’s contest for new American idols launches 7.30pm Thursday and will screen Friday nights as well.

Credit to TV3 for going the extra distance and airing X Factor USA in HD within hours of its US transmission — while TVNZ continues to air in SD American Idol and its latest hot-off-the-satellite attractions, The Jonathan Ross Show and the upcoming Charlie’s Angels.

HD satellite delivery may cost broadcasters extra in bandwidth but what’s the point of claiming HD kudos if you’re not committed to maximising it?

TV3 slipped up when it opted for an SD feed of the Royal Wedding.

But generally it screens everything it can in HD (and would air even more if its deal with NBC-Universal Media didn’t preclude series licensed under an earlier non-HD agreement from airing in HD for subsequent seasons, like House, Law & Order and Special Victims Unit).

It won’t be known until closer to transmission if X Factor USA will have 5.1 audio, as TV3 will access it off the satellite only four hours before it’s broadcast.

Meanwhile, for the latest on the X Factor USA countdown, see The Hollywood Reporter’s comprehensive coverage and Entertainment Weekly’s take.

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2 Responses to “Big HD Tick for X Factor USA”


  1. Warning: preg_replace(): Unknown modifier '/' in /home/customer/www/screenscribe.net/public_html/wp-content/themes/headlines/includes/theme-comments.php on line 66
    September 22, 2011 at 8:40 am

    Maybe they’ll show the new series of Hawaii Five-0 next week as well seeing as series two started in the US this week. Then I could always dream …

  2. Hey Phil, do you know if TV3 will be screening the Bathurst 1000 in HD next month? It will be V8 Supercar’s first ever HD telecast.

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