Where is HDNet on Comcast?
By Matt Burns 
posted September 25th 2006 12:44PM
posted September 25th 2006 12:44PM
Mark Cuban's high-def network, HDNet, cannot be found on Comcast and with hockey season right around the corner, many fans want the network not because of the Hogan's Hero's reruns but the 52 high-def hockey games they are going to broadcast this year. Comcast owns the NHL high-def broadcast rights and you would think that they would want to provide their subscribers with the most possible high-def NHL content but it all boils down to one thing: money. Comcast is blaming subscribers by stating that they don't want to watch HDNet and plus, the station is very expensive. We highly doubt that Comcast subscribers would not want to watch the station as the vast majority of HDTV owners would agree that there is a dearth of programming on their current high-def stations and we will take anything we can get. Hogan's Hero's, hockey, anything HDNet can add to the good of the HD cause would be greatly appreciated. Mr. HDNet himself, Mark Cuban, was contacted and he said that they are trying to get a deal on the table but it's going to take the subscribers saying they want the NHL in HD via HDNet. Can you hear that in the distance? That's the grassroots stating to organize into a movement.
Noticed my HD Net missing this morning, didn't know it was gone for good. Comcast is/was in the process of taking over Time Warner here in Minneapolis.
They'll be hearing from me today.
HDNet is awesome. They have some great (and varied) content. It's not a waste of bandwidth like TNT HD or even many of the broadcast networks non-primetime. I enjoyed watching some of the hockey broadcasts last year. I hope Comcast pulls its head out of its butt and adds HDNet and HDNet Movies.
Wow, hope this doesn't mean I am going to lose HDNet when Comcast completes their takeover of Adelphia. It's a pretty good station.
HDNets slogan should be the home of Canceled Series in HD...Where else can you watch such classic shows as The Agency, Boomtown, Philly, Hack, Jake 2.0, Life on a Stick, A Minute With Stan Hooper, Greg the Bunny, Robbery Homicide Division, Clubhouse, Joan of Arcadia, Dead Like Me, Summerland, Second Time Around, Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Odyssey 5, (this so sounds like the beginning of the first new episode of Family Guy last year)
Smallville has to be the only show they run thats still on.
HDNET is great, one of the highest quality HD channels (although I know that isn't necessarily saying a lot.)
Besides, who would want to miss out on Get Out! :)
HDNet is a VERY expensive channel for providers to carry. It is more than 10 times the cost of most HD channels and even far more than EPSN HD. That's saying a lot considering ESPN is traditionally one of the most expensive networks avaialble. It wouldn't surprise me if others start pulling HDNet unless they redo their pricing. Especially since bandwidth is limited for most cable systems and you can add several channels that people are also asking for at lower costs. The only one with a worse pricing scheme is INHD. I'm not a big fan of cable companies but in this case blame HDNet and their extreme pricing.
I hope Comcast doesn't get rid of INHD and INHD² - they are the only thing comparable to HDNet.
I really like their new MOJO lineup.
Um, DirecTV has it and I don't pay a ridiculous amount for it..it's included as part of the HD package for like $10. And forget the reruns and crap on it, they have Bikini Destinations on there...you just can't beat that for HD content!
Ed, not sure where you get your info. but you are wrong. see mark cuban's comments on avsforum if you want learn more. in the mean time, please don't make up pricing. it's not pricing.
I work for a cable company and do a lot of the negotiating on price for our company. I can't speak to the prices they give to everyone but I do know the contract pricing that I have seen myself. No pricing made up here.
BTW.... we carry MHD and it is a wonderful music channel at a fraction of the cost of HDNet.
-DISCLAIMER- I work for Comcast.
1 - In my market, we're clearing analog channels to make room for more digital,HD, and VOD content. The uproar this creates from customers who see their beloved analog channels being relocated (requiring a digital tuner, either uilt-in or set-top) is a nightmare, but we don't get a lot of noise from those wanting HDNet. Advantage - status quo.
2 - Some content is a quick add (NFL Network), while some is not (Disney).The reasons are varied, but generally boil down to money and PR.Families demanded Disney, and started leaving to get it, so it was aquired despite the low costs/difficulties.The HDNet demographic is neither vocal nor numerous, and unwilling to treat the content as premium (e.g. HBO, Cinemax, et al.).Advantage - status quo.
3- At least in my market, the focus is on VOD (especially expanding HD content), digital voice/phone service, and preparing our customer base for the digital "switch" by migrating our exisitng lineup to all-digital (except the legacy networks).There are only so many resources available. Advantage - status quo.
4- Comcast wants to be a leader, so we want to have more and better of everything to offer our customers.I believe we are motivated to get HDNet, (hope it's soon), as do all of my colleagues.Advantage - HDNet add.
5- INHD is going to one channel, with INHD2 being replaced by MHD (MTV's high-def baby). This indicates a willingness to undertake HD adds and changes as they become feasible/profitable. Advantage - HDNet add.
- THESE ARE NOT OFFICIAL COMCAST BULLET POINTS - but my observations, informed by the fact that I deal with it 8 hours a day.Looks good, but not quick, for adding HDNet to Comcast.
HDNet would be great (yay hockey), but I for one am hoping for Universal HD on Comcast sometime in the next couple months.