NBC Entire Late Night Lineup Goes HDTV in 2005

BURBANK - December 13, 2004 - NBC, which was the first network to broadcast a nightly series in high-definition television with "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1999, will upgrade the rest of the network's top-rated late-night lineup into HDTV in 2005, it was announced today by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group.

"NBC has always been the late-night leader in more ways than one and this progression to high-definition television is the next logical step," said Zucker. "Our viewers will be the primary beneficiaries of this ongoing technology which will complement the creative quality of each program."

In addition, two of the network's annual signature holiday specials - "The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular" and "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" -- also will be broadcast in HD beginning in 2005.

The late-night conversion is scheduled to begin in April 2005 when NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" converts to HDTV. "Saturday Night Live" follows when the series returns for its 2005-06 season premiere in the Fall as will "Last Call with Carson Daly" which shares "SNL's" studio - 30 Rockefeller Plaza's legendary Studio 8H.

Currently NBC broadcasts 90 percent of its scripted entertainment programming in high definition - including 13.5 primetime hours and the upcoming second-season shows "Revelations" and "Medium."

As of December 1, NBC Universal Cable Group also launched Universal HD, which is currently available to more than 25 million homes. Universal HD offers the best of NBC Universal's library in HD. Programming includes unedited and uninterrupted films, Backdraft, Carlito's Way, Apollo 13 and Meet the Parents; award-winning series and franchises such as "Monk," "Law & Order SVU" and "Battlestar Galactica;" performing arts and special events, "Cirque du Soleil: Varekai;" "Music in High Places" and sports programming including the US Open and the 2004 Summer Olympics.