Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • December 2003 (Revised October 2005)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

High-Definition TV: The Grand Alliance

By: Thomas R. Eisenmann
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:23
ShareBar

Abstract

Describes political and economic forces that influenced the development of an all-digital, high-definition television (HDTV) standard in the United States between 1986 and 1996. Outlines the stakes for various government and industry participants in the standard-setting process. Contrasts the market-led approach used in developing U.S. HDTV standards to the government-led processes employed in Japan and Europe, where billions of dollars were invested in R&D but the resulting analog standards were soon abandoned. Concludes with a series of unresolved policy issues facing U.S. regulators in 1996, for example, whether to intervene to resolve technical disputes between the broadcasting and computer industries, whether to mandate or simply authorize use of an HDTV standard, and whether to set specific deadlines for broadcasters' deployment of HDTV technology.

Keywords

Decision Choices and Conditions; Investment; Policy; Management Practices and Processes; Emerging Markets; Standards; Business and Government Relations; Networks; Research and Development; Technology Adoption; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Technology Industry; Japan; Europe; United States

Citation

Eisenmann, Thomas R. "High-Definition TV: The Grand Alliance." Harvard Business School Case 804-103, December 2003. (Revised October 2005.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Thomas R. Eisenmann

Entrepreneurial Management
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • March 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Interior Collab

    By: Lindsay N. Hyde, Thomas R. Eisenmann and Tom Quinn
    • February 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Enstitute

    By: Lindsay N. Hyde, Thomas R. Eisenmann, Kumba Sennaar and Sarah Mehta
    • January 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Kavnia Coffee

    By: Lindsay N. Hyde, Thomas R. Eisenmann, Kumba Sennaar, Sarah Mehta and Jiyoon Han
More from the Author
  • Interior Collab By: Lindsay N. Hyde, Thomas R. Eisenmann and Tom Quinn
  • Enstitute By: Lindsay N. Hyde, Thomas R. Eisenmann, Kumba Sennaar and Sarah Mehta
  • Kavnia Coffee By: Lindsay N. Hyde, Thomas R. Eisenmann, Kumba Sennaar, Sarah Mehta and Jiyoon Han
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College