WWE to Offer HD Programming

STAMFORD, January 15: World Wrestling Entertainment will
begin delivering several shows on various networks in HD, beginning January 21.

The shows to begin broadcasting in HD include WWE’s
Monday Night RAW and A.M. RAW on USA, ECW: Extreme Championship
Wrestling on SCI FI Channel, and Friday
Night SmackDown on The CW. In addition, WWE
will also broadcast its pay-per-views in HD, starting with Royal
Rumble on January 27.

WWE has built new sets for RAW and SmackDown for their HD debuts. The switch to HD comes after a series of upgrades
to the company’s television studios in Stamford, Connecticut, including $20
million in renovations. The WWE also worked with NEP Supershooters to build two
new production trucks, and will lease a custom transmission truck designed for
HD transmission.

“The move to high-definition programming is another step in
WWE’s ongoing mission to provide fans with the most engaging, exciting product
possible, and our programs look spectacular in HD,” said Mike Grossman, the
senior VP of television operations at WWE. “This upgrade will be the first of
many technological advances for our brand in 2008.”

—By Ned Berke