16:9 HD Spots
Spot providers that produce 'widescreen' spots and deliver to
local broadcasters for airplay should understand that their spot will probably
air in a letterboxed 4:3 frame. Some cable providers in larger markets and most satellite
providers have the capability of inserting full 16:9 HD spots. And some
larger market local broadcasters (especially O&O's) have the ability of airing
full 16:9 HD spots. However, very few local broadcasters air their spots
in full 16:9 HD because they have not upgraded their plant to include an HD spot
server. Network programming that passes through the local broadcaster may contain national spots in full 16:9 HD.
This is because the local broadcaster is simply passing the signal from the
Network through their equipment to the transmitter. So, just because you
see a full 16:9 HD spot during Network programming, it doesn't mean the station
has the capability to air their local spots in full 16:9 HD.