KVOA led the charge into high definition in April 2007, when it became the first Southern Arizona TV station to make the move.
Nearly 3 1/2 years later, we're still waiting for the second.
But fear not, local-news fans who want to get the most out of their 52-inch LCD television sets. KVOA's three competitors all have plans to go HD in the coming months.
KOLD News Director Michelle Germano said the station is constructing a new set for the TV personalities' high-definition look that is due to be finished sometime in September.
Julie Brinks, vice president and general manger of Journal Broadcast Group's Tucson operations, said KGUN converted its operation and infrastructure to accommodate HD this year and will make the jump by the end of the year.
Bob Simone, president and general manager of KMSB, said his newscasts will move to high definition early next year.
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"We will not have a full HD facility for a while, since we need to purchase or retrofit quite a bit of equipment," Simone said.
Print Exclusives: Star's online delayed articles
For years, newspapers have stumbled over themselves to make their print products obsolete, not only putting almost everything in the print edition online, hours before it shows up on doorsteps, but also adding extras that readers won't be able to find in the edition they paid for.
Readers were left with few reasons to pick up the print edition. The Arizona Daily Star has joined a handful of other newspapers around the country in bucking the trend with timed print exclusives.
With its Print Exclusive campaign, the Star will designate content for the Sunday paper that will not be posted on its StarNet website until the following Tuesday afternoon.
"The goal is to show our print and e-delivery readers that we value them the most," said Star Executive Editor Bobbie Jo Buel. "After all, they are the ones who pay to read our newspaper."
Buel said the Star is singling out "major enterprise news stories" for Print Exclusive status, as well as popular features such as Greg Hansen's Sunday Notebook and the Political Notebook. She said the lineup could change over time.
"Most Sunday enterprise stories take several days to report and write. Investigative pieces can take months. Greg harvests items every day of the week for his Sunday Notebook, and the same goes for Political Notebook," Buel said. "The 'Print Exclusives' are a way to tell paying customers that we appreciate their support of our local journalism."
TV pilot to shoot at Old Tucson
"Stardust and the Bandit," a low-budget sitcom pilot said to mix the sensibilities of "30 Rock" and "Blazing Saddles," will be shooting Monday through Sept. 3. It's about a mob accountant assigned by witness protection to work at Old Tucson.
The show is a joint venture between Old Tucson Productions and filmmakers Dick Fisher ("The Brothers McMullen"), Sarah Sher ("Have Coffin Will Travel") and Ari Palos ("The Spirituals").
Producer Frances Causey said the cast and crew consist of 100 people who are working for deferred salaries, meaning they won't be paid unless the show is picked up for airing.
The Scoop
Phil Villarreal covers local media for the Star. Contact him at pvillarreal@azstarnet.com or 573-4130.
Lake Mead's drops raise prospect of unaffordable Hoover Dam electricity
