If one could pick an actual date for the arrival of winter in Indianapolis, it is November 15. It is then when the cold, constant rains begin, followed by three months of intermittent clouds. However, this year, November 15 was greatly brightened by the first regularly scheduled live, locally produced HDTV broadcast. WTHR (DT), the Indianapolis market's NBC affiliate, started broadcasting local news programming in HDTV. And did they do it right! Several segments of the inaugural evening news production originated from a large regional "plate-grass" retailer - H H Gregg, Inc. WTHR used this origination not only to highlight their remote HDTV capability, but also to convey basic knowledge relative to making an intelligent HDTV purchasing decision. This information is supplemented on their web site (WTHR.com). Over all, they did a super job. Last month I was invited to the WTHR studios by their Director of Engineering and Operations, Al Grossniklaus, for a "sneak peak" at their extensive production and technical renovations necessary to accomplish local HDTV origination. This digital infrastructure renovation continues to be a work-in-progress with additional HDTV audio and video capability being continually added. The WTHR inaugural HDTV broadcast contained an impressive amount of remote HD originations, including the H H Gregg segments. Clearly not all spots were in HD; however, the expectation is that more and more will come as they gain equipment and infrastructure. Although there were a few expected production glitches and picture resolution variances, the overall result was a very bright, sunny November 15 - and it will only get better. Congratulations WTHR! Ed