We're only a few days away from the high definition broadcast debut of ESPN afternoon talk shows Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn September 27, but in the meantime viewers can feast their eyes on thse artists renderings of the new HD studios, Of course, we're more excited by the prospect of more HD sports highlights during the broadcasts, but this will have to do for now, Check out PTI's new digs with Tony & Mike after the break and just a heads up - Bill Simmons is sliding into Mike's seat for the rest of this week.


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Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption Moving to HD, New Studio

On Monday, Sept. 27, ESPN's popular weekday afternoon sports discussion and debate programs Around the Horn (M-F, 5 p.m.) and Pardon the Interruption (M-F, 5:30 p.m.) will move to new studio locations at the ABC News Bureau in Washington, D.C., where both shows will be televised in high definition. Atlantic Video Studios, also in Washington, has been the home for both since PTI debuted in 2001 and Around the Horn followed in 2002.

Erik Rydholm, executive producer of both shows, describes the move: "The new studios and the move to HD will be a great thing for viewers, but it also means all our guys' faces will be in HD, which could be a little frightening, though they are doing their best to age gracefully. The PTI set will be a little smaller and a little fancier, and Around the Horn will look like Tony Reali is in a spaceship or an Apple store." For artist renderings of the new Around the Horn and PTI studios, click here.

Fittingly, PTI co-hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon will do the first show together in the new studio Monday. For the remainder of this week, Kornheiser will be joined on set by ESPN columnist Bill Simmons, who makes his first appearance as a guest host on the show.