by David Bloom
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Viewers will see Oscar winners' tears of joy and losers' tight smiles in ever more excruciating detail this year, as the Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast in high-definition TV for the first time.
Though ABC has experimented with using HD cameras for the red carpet arrivals, this year only the awards themselves will be in HD, though a brief roundup of highlights from the red carpet that is part of the actual awards show will also be broadcast in high-def.
"The Academy Awards is the most watched entertainment special of the year, and ABC is especially delighted to be able to enhance the viewing experience of this great event by offering it in HDTV," said ABC Network president Alex Wallau.
The Academy Awards will be handed out on March 23.
© 2003 Reuters/Variety