Television Industry Eyes on WRAL-HD

RALEIGH — WRAL-HD is the first commercial station in the country to broadcast the Federal Communication Commission's new digital television standard.

WRAL-HD was granted its license on June 19 when it became the first station in the country to transmit high definition video. WRAL-HD reached another milestone July 23, becoming the first commercial station to begin transmitting a

Capitol Broadcasting's CEO, Jim Goodmon (pictured below, right), says the FCC's approval of the new standard keeps broadcasters even with other technologies.

WRAL-HD begins production of high definition programming this week. Locally-produced programming will include a Durham Bulls baseball game and big band concert at a Raleigh park. However, the first HDTV sets won't be available until early next year, and the early sets likely will carry a steep price tag.