Survivor is probably the highest profile network show to still not air in High-Definition. It has been confirmed by HDTV Magazine that CBS will continue airing the long-running reality series (now in its 14th season) in the standard TV format and not in the widescreen aspect ratio. This is disappointing news for those wealthier Survivor fanatics who own a behemoth HDTV, and also kind of bad news for everyone else. I prefer everything (TV, film, sports) in widescreen and, although I can understand the reasons, can only imagine how beautiful Survivor's tropical locales would look in Hi-Def. However, before we cause an uproar and wonder how it is possible that, in an age where almost every show on TV is in HD, one of CBS's most successful franchises isn't, we should examine the practical issues at hand.
HDTV cameras are a load. I'm not as technically savvy as I'd like, but I do know that for Survivor's purposes, going from regular to HD cameras would pose a difficult transition for cameramen. Survivor relies on the stealthiness and mobility of their cameras and it may just be that CBS doesn't think that their camera crews can handle the load. Cameras are getting smaller at rapid pace, I know, but too big is still too big. CBS has been frugal in their HD camera purchases. They are the only remaining network that airs some NFL games without HD. I can't pretend to know why they don't buy more HD cameras: maybe they aren't convinced of the long-term prospects of the HD format. Who knows? The point remains: Survivor (along with Amazing Race) will not be in HD, at least not this year. When they do, however, it will be a sight to behold. -Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer