Fox Animation - why add the black bars?

[Suppafreak]

Why does FOX adds black bars during the FOX Animation block on Sundays. You can see that there is a picture behind the bars if you view the HD broadcast on 4:3 TV. It looks like the cartoons already made for a 16:9 ratio.

Does anyone has any ideas?

 

[teachsac]

SImpsons is not made in 16:9. I don't think King of the hill is either, which is being cancelled after 2009 season. Don't expect that one to go HD. Simpson's was supposed to go HD, but it was delayed. Maybe next year.

S~

 

[Suppafreak]

Yes, but I can certainly see the picture extending behind the black bars. If you view the HD feed on 4:3 TV, you can see a thin line at the top on each side of the screen. The black bars do not cover entire area.

 

[teachsac]

Conversion artifacts. Watch them on a 16:9 set. There is nothing there.
S~