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PPV movies get 24-hour clock on DirecTV
For owners of the VUDU set-top-box and even the Apple TV, hearing of some sort of "24-hour limitation" is nothing new. Unfortunately for DirecTV subscribers, they'll soon be understanding exactly what it means to have content guardians put the squeeze on PPV purchases. Though it was announced late last month, just one week remains until pay-pay-view purchases made through the satcaster have a 24-hour time limit imposed on them from the time of purchase. DTV does note, however, that any flicks in your playlist prior to April 15th won't be affected. Lovely, right?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Only half of US HDTV owners subscribe to HD programming
We'll be honest -- we US-based HDTV owners are taking advantage of our set entirely more so than those in Europe, but considering the (relative) smorgasbord of high-def options that we have here in the States, the latest data from ABI Research is quite disheartening. Reportedly, some 41-percent of American TV owners possess an HDTV, but out of those, just 56-percent subscribe to a HD programming package. Of course, we're well aware that OTA consumption is on the rise, but still, that figure is simply abysmal (though not at all shocking). The report goes on to mention that while 45-percent of respondents admitted to using pay-per-view, most did so just one time per month. Additionally, 46-percent asserted that they were "unsatisfied" with their carrier, with the primary gripes being high prices and lame customer service. Still, we're glad to see that HD recognition is on the rise here in the US, but we have a seriously long way to go before 100 million homes are signed on to high-def programming services.[Image courtesy of AT&T]
WWE HD pay-per-view events head to Cineplex theatres in Canada
We can't exactly say we saw this one coming, but considering that you can catch the Metropolitan Opera in a cinema, we suppose it's not all that shocking. Just days after WWE aired its first live event in high-definition, it has partnered up with Cineplex Entertainment to bring future pay-per-view broadcasts to the big screen. Starting this Sunday with Royal Rumble, Canucks will be able to purchase tickets for $13.95 to enjoy the carnage from within one of Cineplex's many Canadian theaters. If you're impressed, you can check out the full lineup of upcoming HD PPV wrestling events that will be shown on screen here. 'Course, it'll be hard to mimic what you're watching with all those immobile seats, but we're sure you can find a way to sneak a headlock or two in if nothing else.[Image courtesy of WWE]
WWE Royal Rumble confirmed for HD
Just as expected, the January 27, 2008 WWE Royal Rumble will indeed be airing in HD, and considering that the event itself sold out in five hours, catching it via HD pay-per-view is likely your best remaining option. Reportedly, the high-definition broadcast of Royal Rumble will be available via DirecTV and "digital cable" providers, but we're not entirely sure if it'll be accessible on every provider out there. Unfortunately, those requesting the event in HD will be dinged for an extra $10 ($49.95 versus $39.95 in SD), but hey, that's still a fair bit cheaper than snapping up a ticket from a scalper.[Thanks, gamedude420]
Royal Rumble to be WWE's first HD pay-per-view event?
Apparently, the WWE will finally be rolling out a major pay-per-view event in high-definition some 12 months after UFC did the same. According to a tipster, Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) is gearing up to offer the WWE Royal Rumble PPV event in HD when it airs on January 27, 2008. Of course, this shouldn't be too surprising considering that WWE was already planning to switch Smackdown to HD next month, but for fans of the sport, we're sure they'll be delighted to have the PPV matches in 1080i, too. We'll let you know if we hear anything official.[Thanks, DG]
Dish Network to add nine HD pay-per-view channels on September 12th
Shortly after playing down DirecTV's claims of offering up 100 HD channels, Dish Network is apparently readying nine more of its own. Of course, these additions will be pay-per-view only, but it's more HD regardless. According to a page in the latest issue of Dish Magazine, the satellite operator will "add nine new pay-per-view HD movie channels to its lineup on September 12th." The channels will occupy numbers 531, 534 - 537, 540 - 542, and 539 (which will be a simulcast of channel 9467). Keep an eye (or both) out for the new options to open up in just three weeks.
NBC Universal getting in the HD distribution biz
Details on this one are still scarce, but it looks like NBC Universal is jumping head first into the high-definition distribution business. Just months after launching the 24/7 horror channel Chiller, the firm is now releasing its first two HD titles for pay-per-view and video-on-demand. While it wasn't specifically stated which mediums would offer up the HD PPV / HD VOD niceties, folks who are graced with NBC Universal's offerings will initially find Hollywoodland and The Return for their viewing pleasure. Although the spooky The Return won't hit the tube until March 29th, Hollywoodland is reportedly available right now, so for those of you who've plunked down the coinage required to check it out, be sure to let us know how it went over.
UFC pay-per-view hits high definition this weekend
The Ultimate Fighting Championship just announced it will make its first HDTV broadcast this weekend with UFC 67: All or Nothing live from Las Vegas on February 3rd. The pay-per-view event will be available in 1080i for the princely sum of $49.95. Assuming your cable or satellite provider offers PPV HD, this seems to be a perfectly good reason to get people together around your new HDTV in advance of that other sporting event going on this weekend. There's been a lot of talk about how UFC is will -- or may already have -- pass boxing as a popular sport and this is just another sign of its growing audience. We'll be tuning in for the HD and to see Mirko "Cro Cop" make his UFC debut against Eddie Sanchez.
NDS partners with VBox to deliver HD pay-TV content to PCs
If you're the type who digs HD, but would rather catch it on one of your two (or more) HD-capable displays connected to your computer, NDS has struck a deal with VBox to bring HD pay-TV content to your PC -- without the need for potentially costly upgrades. The agreement allows PC users to receive "broadcast content on VBox's Cat's Eye PC-TV receiver," which would store / playback footage like any typical DVR, while NDS' VideoGuard PC would provide the obligatory DRM kick to keep content owners pacified. VBox's Cat's Eye Premium is a newly unveiled receiver designed to deliver content optimized for IP distribution, which essentially provides "digital set-top box functionality in a PC environment" by interfacing with the computer's USB port or PCI slot. Content is received in the same way as typical TV owners, but is channeled into your PC via USB / PCI instead of component of HDMI, and it's strapped down by NDS' USB encryption key which is required for the whole rig to operate correctly; in addition, VBox also offers routers and gateways in case you're interested in slinging that content to various machines via Ethernet. Neither NDS nor VBox made mention of just how much this snazzy sounding setup would run PC users, but hopefully we'll be seeing the deal yield some forward progress soon after CES concludes.
Comcast to trial simultaneous release of DVD and films on demand
Hot the heels of Comcast's testing of TiVo comes an announcement sure to please couch-dwellers everywhere, as the firm unveils plans to release films on demand the very same day they're released on DVD. While it's no surprise to see Comcast digging deeper into the VOD closet, this plan (initially hitting Pittsburgh and Denver) hopes to seize a potential opportunity that's currently being wasted as movies hit the on-demand scenes approximately "30 to 45 days" after rolling out on DVD. Moreover, it seems that movie studios are more than willing to lend their support, as sagging DVD sales are reportedly being (at least somewhat) attributed to the skyrocketing popularity in not moving a single inch utilizing VOD. Of course, this newfangled approach could potentially hurt firms like Blockbuster, but representatives have purportedly said that studios would be "extra cautious" not to cannibalize sales in the rental and retail industries. It wouldn't be too shocking to see VOD purchases head north if flicks are released soon after their departure from theaters, but we're sure the DVD aficionados will keep piling up those collections no matter what.[Via Digg]
DirecTV Titanium: the ultimate couch potato package
So if you like watching TV -- and we mean really, really like watching TV -- then DirecTV has a new offer that will fill your set with more content in a week than you could hope to watch in a lifetime -- but it's just a little bit more expensive than the company's regular service packages. For an eye-popping $7,500-a-year (that's about $625/month, or at least six times what you're currently paying), the company is offering membership into the so-called DirecTV Titanium club, which basically gives the wealthy couch potato access to every single bit the satellite provider streams down from up above. That's right, instead of picking up a new KIA, you could be watching every DirecTV channel (including all of the HD stations), every broadcast sporting event, and every Pay-Per-View movie -- even all the dirty ones -- not to mention the fact that you get up to ten HD DVRs to situate around your mansion and 24/7 concierge service (that means they send someone to your house to operate the remote for you). While this package certainly isn't for everyone, if you're already getting all the DirecTV content anyway (read: you're a pirate using illegal access cards), soon you'll have a better way to do it (ETA: June 28th) that won't result in a hefty fine and an embarrassing summons showing up at your door.[Via HDBeat]
