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Hulu Live TV adds a few channels from Discovery
Starting today, Hulu Live TV subscribers will have access to Discovery networks. The channels, spread across a variety of packages available on the live streaming service, include Discovery, TLC, MotorTrend, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery (ID). The prices on the bundles featuring the new channels won't change.
Discovery acquires HGTV parent company in $14.6 billion TV deal
Discovery Communications is acquiring Scripps Networks Interactive in a $14.6 billion deal announced today. Once finalized, Discovery will produce around 8,000 hours of original programming yearly and 7 billion short-form video streams monthly. It will also control approximately 20 percent of ad-supported, pay-TV audiences in the US and host eight of viewers' top 10 favorite channels.
Animal Planet offers a look at the Puppy Bowl in VR (updated)
There's something that folks look forward to about the Super Bowl every year besides the commercials. It's the Puppy Bowl. And this year, Animal Planet is stepping things up a notch with VR ahead of the big game. Before the action takes place on February 7th, you'll be able to stream event-related content in 360-video on your favorite headset through the network's website, YouTube, Samsung Milk app or Discovery's own VR apps for iOS and Android. If you're not familiar, the Puppy Bowl features 84 dogs from rescues all over the US. No, it's not an actual football game played by dogs. The canines roam around a faux stadium and play during the event. However, that doesn't take away from the adorable factor, which is always on point. [Image credit: Mark Von Holden/AP Images for Discovery Communications]
Discovery launches trio of TV streaming apps for Windows Phone
Windows Phone 8 users whose TV habits revolve around MythBusters, Cake Boss and cute pets are in luck: Discovery has just posted three apps for their platform of choice. The new Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and TLC releases share the same basic template, letting fans check show schedules and stream either brief clips or a smattering of full-length episodes. All of the apps support Windows Phone's live tiles, voice commands and calendar reminders, although they're otherwise simple; they lack the second screen features we've seen in iOS versions. If you're just hoping to watch some Auction Kings on the bus, however, you can get your fix through the Windows Phone store today.
Animal Planet critter livestreams arrive on Samsung Smart TVs, coming to Roku and Xbox Live
Say goodbye to the passé virtual aquarium. Animal Planet has launched a collection of 11 HD 24/7 Ustream-powered live streams under the banner Animal Planet L!VE, which feature animals ranging from beluga whales to cockroaches. The free critter footage is already being piped to APL.tv and Samsung Smart TVs Viewers can choose between watching ants, calves, chicks, cockroaches, beluga whales, fish swimming about in a pacific coral reef, kittens, penguins, puppies, sea nettles and wild birds. In case catching them on your smart TV or browser weren't enough, the cable channel's creature casts are coming to Roku and Xbox Live "in the coming months."
Nukotoys digital apps and physical cards available now
Back in January at CES, one of the most magical things we got to see was these new cards from Nukotoys, physical collectible cards that somehow interacted with Apple's capacitive touchscreens (probably with an invisible pattern, if I had to hazard a guess). The project seemed very cool, and Nukotoys told us that it hoped to release by year's end. They're ahead of schedule apparently, because the apps are now available on the App Store, and I'm told that the physical cards are out at retailers available to buy right now. That link above goes to the Monsterology-branded app, and there's also an Animal Planet-branded Wildlands app out, with specific "Nuko Cards" also available for each. The idea is that kids can buy packs of the cards, which will then interact with the apps when touched to the iPad or iPhone's screen, adding an animal or monster directly into the app. Nukotoys is sending some cards along to TUAW shortly, so we'll have a look at how it all actually works when those show up. In the meantime, if you've been waiting to see the product in action, you can run out and grab some cards right now. This interaction between the physical and digital is fascinating to me, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see exactly this kind of toy be very popular heading into this year's holiday season. Nukotoys has done a lot of work leading up to this release, so here's hoping it all pays off well for them.
Comcast adds Sci-Fi HD and Animal Planet HD in Boston
Oh yeah, Comcast has already added Sci-Fi HD and Animal Planet HD in a number of markets, but for folks in and around Boston, Massachusetts, they were still scraping by without. Buck up, you Bostonians -- as of today, Comcast has slipped the aforementioned channels into your HD lineup, though we've no idea if it plans on plugging in a few more as it has done elsewhere recently. Fingers crossed![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TWC on a roll in San Antonio: three more HD channels added
For the second time in the span of a week, Time Warner Cable is upping the HD ante down in South Central Texas. Shortly after subscribers in the area received Weather Channel HD and FOX Business HD, along comes word that TLC HD, The Science Channel HD and Animal Planet HD have now surfaced on the EPG. If our abacus is operating correctly, we're counting 45 high-definition channels for you folks now. Got any to you wouldn't mind loaning out? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Cephalexin]
Comcast beefs up HD lineup in DC Metro area
We could certainly get used to hearing all these HD expansion stories, but the ones most excited about Comcast's latest additions are housed all around our nation's capital. According to tipster Casey, customers in and around Baltimore, Maryland and Northern Virginia are just now receiving six new high-definition channels: Discovery Channel HD, CNN HD, TLC HD, USA HD, Animal Planet HD, and yes, Sci-Fi HD, too. Interestingly, it's said that subscribers in Washington, D.C. have yet to see the newcomers, but feel free to toss a comment in below if that status changes.[Thanks, Casey B.]
Comcast gives Twin Cities 11 new HD options
It is the season to give, you know, and while we've heard that Comcast will be on the receiving end of things when it hikes rates in 2008, at least users across the nation are receiving a boost in their HD lineup before having the family over this holiday season. Up next on Comcast's list is St. Paul / Minneapolis, Minnesota (and western Wisconsin), which is receiving 11 new channels to complement the 22 already available. Among the newcomers are CNN HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, Food HD, Sci-Fi HD, TLC HD, Universal HD, USA HD, TBS HD, History HD and FSN North HD. Reportedly, customers in the area are already able to view USA, Sci-Fi, Universal and Food, and the rest of the gang is slated to go live on or before December 17th.[Thanks, Ed]
Insight cable customers get six new HD channels, NFL Network included
Over a year after Insight Communications launched its InsightDigital 2.0 service and threw in a trio of HD channels to boot, the cable company is now giving its loyal customers five more high-definition options along with the Digital 3.0 upgrade. Reportedly, users can now tune into Discovery, Animal Planet, The Learning Channel (TLC), TBS, National Geographic and yes, even the NFL Network in glorious HD. The Digital 3.0 package will automatically be available to digital subscribers at no extra cost, but it should be noted that Insight will raise prices in January. Additionally, the operator has nearly doubled its on-demand library and includes VOD channels for HOB, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax and The Movie Channel, but we're still left with no word on any HD VOD plans.
More new HD channels on the way from Discovery, CNBC and Chiller
You know times are good when we are surprised when it is more than a week between new HD channel announcements. This week we have a few more channels for you, but not as many of details as we would like on any of them. Discovery will be launching what they are calling four new channels, but one of them is an HD simulcast of the Discovery channel. We're not sure if this will replace the Discovery HD Theater that we have all come to love, or just add even more HD content, but they will also be launching HD simulcast versions of TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel. These new channels from Discovery will be carried at launch by at least DirecTV this September. Also mentioned in the press release as coming this year is CNBC and Chiller (who?). While it is still questionable if DirecTV will carry 100 HD National channel this year, -- at least without counting sports packages -- this will certainly be remember as a big year in the transition of cable TV channels to HD. A full list of the channels announced to date after the break.
