NG
Sorry - that's not correct.
Japan was running a proper satellite HD service (using their analogue MUSE transmission system and an early version of what became 1080i - then called HiVision) throughout the 1990s, with test transmissions in the late 80s. I think they were up to 8 hours a day of HD using MUSE by 1992 - and for most of the 90s NHK had an HD production truck based in Europe to cover events here in HD (as very few other companies had HD facilities). The BBC and NHK (the Japanese equivalent of the BBC) produced a drama series in HD HiVision in 1989 called "The Ginger Tree" starring Samantha Bond ISTR.
The BBC and other European broadcasters were also broadcasting HD test transmissions using the digitally assisted analogue component HD-MAC system in the early 90s - with both the Albertville 1992 and Barcelona 1992 Winter and Summer Olympics being covered in HD (1152i). I watched BBC HD test recordings in the late 80s and early 90s - including stuff done at Wimbledon.
ISTR that the US (closely followed by Australia) launched their HD digital OTA platforms in 1998 - though initially most content was SD upconverted and it took a long time for some stations to add digital transmissions alongside their analogue services.
ISTR that the US Shuttle coverage you mention was in 1998, and was the first US HDTV broadcast via a regular OTA scheduled service, though earlier US HD test broadcasts had taken place throughout the 1990s.
noggin
Founding member
I live in the States, and almost
every single channel
is available in High-Definition. We had ESPN in HD since 2004. We even had the first ever HD broadcast-a Space Shuttle launch- in 1999!
Sorry - that's not correct.
Japan was running a proper satellite HD service (using their analogue MUSE transmission system and an early version of what became 1080i - then called HiVision) throughout the 1990s, with test transmissions in the late 80s. I think they were up to 8 hours a day of HD using MUSE by 1992 - and for most of the 90s NHK had an HD production truck based in Europe to cover events here in HD (as very few other companies had HD facilities). The BBC and NHK (the Japanese equivalent of the BBC) produced a drama series in HD HiVision in 1989 called "The Ginger Tree" starring Samantha Bond ISTR.
The BBC and other European broadcasters were also broadcasting HD test transmissions using the digitally assisted analogue component HD-MAC system in the early 90s - with both the Albertville 1992 and Barcelona 1992 Winter and Summer Olympics being covered in HD (1152i). I watched BBC HD test recordings in the late 80s and early 90s - including stuff done at Wimbledon.
ISTR that the US (closely followed by Australia) launched their HD digital OTA platforms in 1998 - though initially most content was SD upconverted and it took a long time for some stations to add digital transmissions alongside their analogue services.
ISTR that the US Shuttle coverage you mention was in 1998, and was the first US HDTV broadcast via a regular OTA scheduled service, though earlier US HD test broadcasts had taken place throughout the 1990s.