DirecTV raises its HD channels claim to 160, disses Dish for juking the numbers
We hadn't even finished counting Dish's 200 channels claim when DirecTV pops up with plans to add a whole slew of new HD networks as well. By its reckoning, tossing ESPNU HD, WGN HD, MSNBC HD, some additional DirecTV Cinema Channels and more puts it over 160 "around the clock HD channels", and executive VP Derek Chang couldn't resist tossing in a link to count them for yourself. He's laid the gauntlet down for Dish to put its channel lineup up for similar scrutiny, we'll see if the end result of this duel is more clarity in the channel/choices count wars. Check the full press release after the break.
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DIRECTV Continues To Deliver More Full Time HD Than Any Other Provider With The Addition Of Over 30 New HD Channels -Bringing DIRECTV's HD Lineup to More Than 160
MSNBC HD, ESPNU HD, Travel Channel HD, Hallmark Channel HD, Lifetime HD and Univision HD Are Among the New HD Channels to Begin Launching in May
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Apr 20, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV, the world's most popular video service, continues to deliver more full time HD channels than any other television provider in the nation with the addition of over 30 new HD channels. These new channels will begin rolling out in May and will continue in the following few months bringing DIRECTV's total HD channel lineup to more than 160.
Among the 30 new HD channels that DIRECTV will begin launching next month are:
CSN Bay Area HD
Showtime Beyond HD
CSN California HD
Showtime Next HD
Encore HD East
Showtime Women HD
ESPNU HD
Starz Cinema HD
FSN Florida HD
Starz In Black HD
GolTV HD
Telefutura HD West
Hallmark Channel HD
TMC Xtra HD East
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
Travel Channel HD
HBO2 East HD
Univision HD East
HBO Zone HD
WGN HD
Lifetime HD
Additional DIRECTV Cinema Channels
MSNBC HD
"From day one we have led the way with HD and, to the dismay of our competitors, that has not changed," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. "While DISH Network is very skilled at grossly inflating their HD numbers, you'd be hard pressed to find an actual list of comprehensive HD channels that match their recent claims. We invite consumers to go to DIRECTV.com/hdchannels to see a list of all of DIRECTV's more than 160 HD channels. We challenge DISH to publish a list of all their full-time HD channels so consumers can decide and count for themselves."
In addition to the new HD channels, beginning this June, DIRECTV will launch a suite of 3D channels, which will include N3D(TM) powered by Panasonic, ESPN 3D, a 3D DIRECTV Cinema channel; and a 3D DIRECTV on Demand channel.
DIRECTV continues to lead the industry with the most sports in HD by broadcasting exclusive interactive sports packages like NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and NCAA(R) MEGA MARCH MADNESS(TM) all in crystal-clear HD. DIRECTV will also continue to add HD content to its DIRECTV on Demand platform. In addition, DIRECTV delivers local HD programming to 138 markets, representing 92 percent of U.S. TV households.
