Volume 2, 2003

HDTV continues to roll in Canada

As a leader in High Definition TV production (and perhaps its biggest fan in Canada!) we are happy to report that High Definition production continues to grow, both here at Stonehenge and within the Canadian production community. This is particularly true with the end-of-summer announcement from CTV that TSN, Discovery Channel and CTV will become the first Network and Canadian Specialty Channels to broadcast in HDTV. The best news is that it will include a wide range of Documentary and Sports programs in HDTV (much of it Canadian).

To find out more about the march to HDTV in Canada, check out the new Canadian Digital Television web site at www.cdtv.ca

Infomercials get a Reality TV Makeover at Stonehenge

Speaking of Canadian produced HD programming and following hard on the heels of our successful “Built for Life in Toronto” TV spots for Ford of Canada, Stonehenge has recently completed two new 30 min. launch Infomercials for Ford, ( F150 and Freestar ) again using the remarkable HDTV HDCAM 24P format! ( F150 Infomercial Teaser )

These dynamic new vehicle launch programs were given an innovative “reality show” treatment. Avoiding the usual bland infomercial formats, they were conceived to inform and entertain, just like 'real' TV programs.

The first of the programs, the Ford F-150 “Rethink Truck” reality concept, has proven to be a big hit with TV viewers. Just 5 days into its initial 4-week run, it has already significantly exceeded its targeted response for the whole campaign run.

As consumer products and sales pitches become more complex, we have seen a remarkable surge in interest in the infomercial format (a.k.a. “Direct Response Television or DRTV"), particularly by the larger consumer brand groups that typically have steered away from this form of advertising.

Stonehenge gets Adrenaline!

Not that we needed more “adrenaline”, given our busy schedule; however, Stonehenge is pleased to announce the addition of the newest AVID on-line system: the “Adrenaline”. The new system features advanced colour correction, is High Definition-ready and is the perfect addition to meet the needs of our corporate and broadcast clients.

For more information, please contact Lynda Rinkenbach at lynda@stonehenge.ca