DirecTV to carry 100 National HD Channels in 2007

We sure hope this means that the HD programming race is heating up and it's not just vapor ware. After all 2006 was a slow year for new HD channels. DirecTV has been boasting for some time about the number of HD channels they would have and today they have announced specific channels. The interesting part is that almost none only a few of the channels they announced today are currently offering HD programming. The channels announced today include.

• A&E
• National Geographic
• Bravo
• NFL Network
• Cartoon Network
• SciFi Channel
• CNN
• Speed
• Food Network
• TBS
• FX
• The History Channel
• HGTV
• The Weather Channel
• MTV
• USA Network

Currently DirecTV only carries 9 national HD channels and even with this list and as many premium channels we can think of there would still only be 30 HD channels. Throw in 20 or so for regional sports channels and is still only 50% of their claim. As much as we want to believe them, we have our reservations.

[shawn @ Jan 10th 2007 10:16AM]

they are probably counting locals to various areas as well as national broadcast.

[riconelly @ Jan 9th 2007 7:45AM]

All i have to say is :The Shield-HD, Rescue Me-HD, and Nip/Tuck-HD. yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[Jeff @ Jan 9th 2007 7:45AM]

Yeah, and the biggest question is what sort of magic are they gonna attempt to do to the HD signal in order to get all those channels to fit in their bandwidth?

They've already shown that they've got no problem using every trick in the book. Rate shaping, downrezzing, recompressing, whatever else they can figure out. They're the kings of "HD Lite".

I doubt I would bother switching back to them, no matter how many "HD" channels they carry.

[NHAnimator @ Jan 9th 2007 7:55AM]

"Rate shaping, downrezzing, recompressing"

I've tried all those methods to lose weight. Alas, I am still round.

[kbdrand @ Jan 9th 2007 8:37AM]

Actually that statement about none of them in HD is inaccurate. Out of that list the following are broadcasting in HD today (on Dish Network at least):

National Geographic
NFL (NFLHD)
Food Network
HGTV

But I am super excited about the possibility of USA (Monk, Psyched) and SciFi (BSG) coming to HD.

[Crazylink @ Jan 9th 2007 8:24AM]

Why would you need Cartoon Network in HD?

[Lonnie McClure @ Jan 9th 2007 8:34AM]

If I recall correctly, Dish Network made similar claims recently, so this holds out hope the channels will be HD from the broadcasters, not just upsampled.

Frankly, I don't see much use in upsampling channels to HDTV; just sell/lease HDTV boxes that have good upsampling circuitry for SD channels and save the bandwidth.

[Ted Brown @ Jan 9th 2007 8:48AM]

I seriously doubt the legitimacy of these claims. I don't think Cartoon Network has any plans for an HD channel and the fact that they list MTV on there when then MTV-HD channel is called MHD makes you wonder...

[Geoff @ Jan 9th 2007 9:09AM]

I wonder if they are including all local HD channels in their listing. We have 3 to 5 here in Atlanta, I'm sure every other city does too, so 10 cities is 30-50 channels

[Yaktastic @ Jan 9th 2007 9:16AM]

If this turns out to be true it might sway my decisions (I need a new tv, but don't really see the value in HD yet... just a poor guy in his late 20's) but i think there is something to be said about the number of these channels that are owned by fox/newscorp as is directv (right?) Hopefully this is pointing to a strategic push by newscorp to get more programming in HD... I have the same upsampling versus broadcasting questions (for example, will Speed be getting F1 HD signals from FOM? does FOM even output f1 in HD, i know that was an issue after ecclestone's PPV system died)

well fingers crossed, and wallets weeping.

[Erik J. Barzeski @ Jan 9th 2007 9:27AM]

DirecTV is launching two more satellites this year largely to handle the increase in HD channels. They're also converting all LA/NY locals (and all current HD channels) to MPEG-4 over MPEG-2.

[JQ Public @ Jan 9th 2007 10:37AM]

DirecTV are such experts at the Big Lie. I remember their agents' promises of "new satellites next year for more HD" two years ago when Voom was making their big push. It appears to have been a strategic bit of vaporware to keep Voom from getting a toehold.

And have HD or ED pictures gotten any better over the years? I don't think so (so why are we buying all this wonderful equipment -- in order to see sharper fuzz?). Remember, MP4 is a wonderful thing, except that the background jitters and gets all mushy as the camera pans the scene. Gimme that ol' timey MP2. In broadcast ads, DirecTV is "all 1080i"? Well, that's the number of lines and the shape of the picture. What's more important is the data density: What is the bit rate they're sending you?

[Russ @ Jan 9th 2007 11:08AM]

My questions is: Since we all know they are tight on bandwidth, I'm wondering if all these new channels are MPEG-4 equipment only? There's a hell of a lot of us that still use the MPEG-2 HD equipment that would need those new 50lbs dishes and new boxes.

[Greg Legowski @ Jan 9th 2007 12:48PM]

Russ, I'm pretty damn sure that new channels would indeed be MPEG-4 only. Why suck down the bandwidth with MPEG2? Dish has already begun that switchover, as well, and was very happy to swap out my MPEG2 HD receiver for an MPEG4 one, I'd imagine Direct would provide a simliar upgrade path.

Isn't Direct going to start carrying the Voom channels as well (as Dish already does)? That's another 15-20 channels right there...

[Joshua @ Jan 9th 2007 1:10PM]

Cartoon Network HD? Huh? And, "AWESOME!"

History Channel? SHWEET!

[Kent Wishne @ Jan 9th 2007 1:36PM]

The new channels will be mpeg4, and the new satellites are already in the air. The first one went live a couple months back, and now I get the local channels in HD. I did have to get a new box and the new bigger dish with 4 LNB's to handle the new mpeg4 encoding, so now it sits on top of my HD Tivo. Really, the only thing it is good for now is getting my local NFL team in HD on Sunday. I still can Tivo my favorite network HD shows on channels 80-88, which are the New York channels, which DirecTV provides for now. The mpeg4 box will become much more useful when these new channels launch, obviously. But by then I will need the new mpeg4 DVR. Hopefully the endless cycle of equipment upgrades will slow down now, though. I agree that it is frustrating, but it is still better than dealing with a monopoly like Charter Communications, where they can cancel a contract with NFL network or local network HD provider on a whim. At least DirecTV has a competitior in Dish to help keep them on their toes.

[brock_samson @ Jan 9th 2007 1:39PM]

Cartoon Network in HD, better yet Adult Swim in HD
If Venture Bros. & Aqua Team go HD I'll bust a nut.

[scooterge558 @ Jan 9th 2007 10:13PM]

Well first off, DirecTV already shows the NFL network in HD when they are showing a game, just not full time. Recently I called them about upgrading my very old, RCA HD box, and they were going to send out a new dish as well as brand new box.
The new dish (5LNB) so that you can pick up the local HD channels, as well as my guess would be the future roll-out of HD channels.
Certainly great news for those of us in the Charter territory, where HD is unheard of. Looking forward to watching the FX shows in HD, as well as some of the SciFi channel's offerings as well as USA's.
I will state this however, when I was on the phone ordering my new HD dish and box, I asked about the expansion of the HD offerings, and the rep I spoke with confirmed that that was going to their big push for '07, more HD channels.

[Jesse @ Jan 9th 2007 7:12PM]

Yes, the mpeg4 satellites are in the sky already. And the new dish is a 5 lnb not a 4. How do I know? I am an installer in Denver. The dish picks up 119, 110, 101, 103, and 99 degrees. Yep...lots of channels coming!

[Tired of waiting @ Jan 13th 2007 11:08AM]

Yes, I have the new 5 lnb dish and Directv has been telling me they are adding 150 HD national channels but, when? First they said 2006. I was then told late 2006, Now I am told 2007? Do they really want to keep there customers? I have freinds that have cable and they have alot of HD channels, whats the hold up! Just be honest with us and give us a date!

[Dave @ Jan 9th 2007 9:32PM]

Who cares they dont have TIVO anymore! The HR20 is junk and they want us to pay them for it while they try to figure it out. Shame on them, hope Comcast hurrys the TIVO box up

[dj4monie @ Jan 10th 2007 1:16PM]

Cartoon Network in HD! Hell yes about time! Now we can get some HD content, Anime and Adult Swim in HD! Boondocks in HD, hell ya!

But the best news I have heard in many years - SPEED IN HD! Finally, Finally! Now if ALMS will hold up their end and show all its races in HD.

Great news!

[Mike Nassour @ Jan 16th 2007 8:04PM]

It doesn't matter if DirecTV 10 new HD channels, or 100, or 1000...if this company can't do something about the mess surrounding it's alleged "flagship" receiver, the HR20, then it doesn't matter how many channels are on the bird...you won't be able to watch any of them because the bloody receiver won't work. I've now had two of them since 11/1/06 and both have had severe software problems. The day DirecTV abandoned Tivo was the day DirecTV lost it...perhaps for good.

[Nick @ Feb 8th 2007 9:08PM]

Does anyone know when DirecTv is going to offer YES and MSG in HD. My neighbors all around me have cablevision get both channels and they did not have the startup costs that DirecTV customers have to deal with.

[Dan @ Mar 30th 2007 11:59AM]

YES and SNY are already up in HD if you are in the footprint of the MYC MPEG-4 spot. They (along with any other available HD RSNs) will go national when DirecTV-10 and/or 11 are launched. These satellites are scheduled for June and September launches (but given the recent series of booster failures, may be delayed).

DirecTV made the decision to concentrate on HD local delivery first, since the majority of the HD content people want is on the networks. Therefore they have used Spaceway-1 and 2 in spot beam mode (also the most efficient way to use those satellites) to deliver HD locals (currently to over 75% of the country).

As to the channel count, if they don't have 100 "regular" channels by years end they can always fill out the number with PPV channels. Give the published list, plus the existing HD feeds of premium channels they don't currently carry, plus HD RSNs, they will probably get to 70 channels pretty easily.

Finally...the HR-20 is MUCH improved lately with the latest software. It is at least as functional as the HD DVRs from cable and/or Dish Network.

[Brad Horstkotte @ Feb 22nd 2007 6:45PM]

No, the 100 channels doesn't include locals - if you include the locals in HD, the number of new channels is I think something like 1500. However, I don't doubt that of those 100 new national HD channels, about 50% or so will be crap channels - shopping garbage, etc. - oh well, par for the course with all cable / satellite broadcasters.

I've had their HD DVR for several months, and its been working fine - it did hang once and I had to restart it, but that's it so far. Granted the UI isn't as polished as DirecTivo which I still have in the other room, but I knew that going in, so no letdown to me.

Do wish I could find a real date when some of those new channels would show up though - which is how I got here, searching...