WealthTV
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WealthTV 3D joining handful of 3D networks
The network we love to hate has made it a long way in the four years since we promised to never cover it again because of its ridiculous claims. Not only is it still on the air, but Herring Broadcasting has announced it will be adding a linear 3D channel to the existing handful of 3D channels that includes ESPN 3D, n3D and 3net. No word on any broadcaster carriage agreements, yet, but WealthTV 3D has spent two years producing original 3D content in anticipation of the launch and viewers can currently tune in online via Roku boxes. Some of the 3D content has been available via Verizon FiOS VOD since 2010 and while we have long since laughed off the CEO's reaction to our feelings about his channel, our opinion of WealthTV probably isn't going to be changed by adding another dimension.
Boxee Box v1.1 update includes improved browser, playback controls and more
Early previews of a new update for the Boxee Box mentioned a couple of different version numbers, but now the company has settled on v1.1 for the software update (sorry, still nothing for PCs) it's rolling out over the next few days with a slew of new features. VP of Marketing Andrew Kippen confirms the "huge browser update" he'd mentioned earlier is included with the following features: favorites, history, a better UI to show more of the picture and include more options, plus expanded HTML5 capabilities that should fix login problems for HBO Go. There's no mention of iPad support, but the whole on screen display has been trimmed with a new seek bar for more precise FF/Rewind action, along with support for customized local metadata and NFO files, a new MLB.tv app and two new content partners including the worst TV channel ever and SnagFilms. One thing that's been removed? Volume controls, which Boxee says "improves consistency" and makes it the same as any standard Blu-ray player. As usual, the update will be issued automatically, but if you just can't wait you can force it manually, check the source links for details, more screenshots and a full changelog.
Verizon FiOS chooses "the worst TV channel ever" for some 3D VOD
Now we know we promised to never cover WealthTV again, but honestly, FiOS signing up to put its 3D content on video on-demand (and well ahead of the holiday projection it had put out for jumping on the 3D bandwagon) is kind of a big deal. In case you've forgotten: This is the same network where the CEO, Robert Herring Sr., decided to defend his "small family-run business" from negative comments on our podcast while it was apparently engaged in a dispute with Time Warner Cable, which we shared a parent company with at the time. We addressed how laughable that claim was at the time and are eager to let bygones be bygones, so we'll take a look at the "new" WealthTV 3D and let listeners on the podcast next week know how it turns out, fair enough Rob? P.S. If it still sucks, we won't hesitate to throw you under the bus again. Hearts and kisses.
WealthTV conspiracy theorists issue anti-Engadget press release
Note from the editor: Okay, I'm trying not to crack up here, but publicity-hungry "small family owned business" WealthTV (which, according to their site, is "headquartered in a 40,000 square foot, high definition state-of-the-art facility in San Diego" -- yep.) issued an anti-Engadget linkbait press release, accusing us of being the long, long tail arm of Time Warner, and "big business at its ugliest." As it happens, this WealthTV network -- which, I, personally, have never even heard of until a few days ago when we wrote a story on it here -- apparently recently went to the FCC to protest Time Warner Cable's "monopolistic program access practices" because the provider didn't pick them up.Of course, I probably don't have to tell you what an imbecilic accusation it is that some nefarious executive at TWC -- which is only partly owned by Time Warner -- was able to pull strings at Time Warner, which pulled strings at AOL, which pulled strings at Weblogs, Inc., which pulled strings with me, in turn resulting in some pretty hilarious verbal commentary by long-time editor Ben Drawbaugh on the Engadget HD podcast. But just so we're extra clear with the conspiracy theorists in the house that aren't convinced, WealthTV obviously wasn't paying too close attention to how we do our thing.Knocking on Time Warner Cable is something of a pastime and running joke between myself and Peter Rojas on the original Engadget podcast. Hell, I'd like to take this occasion to remind everyone that in the five years I lived in New York, I had nothing but problems with Time Warner Cable as a consumer (whereas in the last year and a half I've been in San Francisco I've had nothing but amazing experiences with Comcast -- go figure). Might also be worth a quick link to the post where we called a TWC CableCARD installation a "fiasco" -- in the headline, no less!But then again, since they totally busted us, we should probably come clean about a few Time Warner Cable-mandated stories I've had the team put in the hopper for this week: WealthTV so broke, the bank asked for their calendar back WealthTV so broke that when someone saw 'em walking down the street with one shoe and said, "Hey, you lost a shoe." WealthTV said, "No, we found one." WealthTV so poor when you ring the doorbell they say, "DING DONG!" Look, WealthTV, if it makes you guys feel any better, we promise we'll never, ever cover your channel again. Thanks for reminding us all that cash and class are obviously two very different things.Yours,RyanP.S. -Release posted after the break, including the contact email / phone number of the channel's PR rep. Enjoy!
Charter adds WealthTV to 11 Louisiana cities
Although WealthTV has been available in select areas for awhile now, the channel is finally making its way down to the Bayou. Reportedly, Charter Communications added the station to the HD lineup in 11 Louisiana cities, including Thibodaux, Bourg, Slidell, Hammond, Marksville, New Roads, Pointe Coupee, Opelousas, Jennings, Church Point and Eunice. Unfortunately, Charter failed to mention if it would be rolling WealthTV out to other areas, but as we always say, we'll take any additions that we can get.
