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HD channel expansion roundup
Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say!Read - More high-definition channels roll out (Great Falls, Montana) Read - ATMC Launches CNN HD (North Carolina) Read - Cable high-def on hold at WKTV (Utica, NY) Read - Comcast customers to see up to 64 new HD channels (Washington, Thanks, Tyler) Read - RCN Brings Digital Revolution to Lehigh Valley, PA Cable TV Customers in September; Providing 100 High Definition (HD) Channels to Customers Read - AT&T U-verse TV Adds ShortsHD and New International Channels Read - More HD Coming For Puerto Rico Read - Comcast Expanding HD in Bay Area Comcast adding History, CNN, USA, Discovery, Animal Planet, AMC in New Jersey (Thanks, Margo) Comcast adding Biography HD, G4 HD, Lifetime HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, MTV HD, VH1 HD, Comedy Central HD, Spike HD, Nickelodeon HD, The Weather Channel HD, IFC HD, WE-HD, FUSE HD, Planet Green HD, TVOne HD, and Style HD in Connecticut September 1 (Thanks, Michael) Read - Bright House Networks in Michigan adds 10 HD channels (Thanks, Kyle)
RCN's Analog Crush nears completion, 100 HD channels coming soon
RCN's Analog Crush initiative has been steamrolling for a few months now, and according to the cable carrier, the elimination of old school analog is all but complete in its major markets. By the end of January, RCN anticipates 100% digital penetration in the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Chicago markets, which will free up spectrum in order to get more HD (and SD, and international) programming onto the EPG. In fact, the company is hoping to surpass 100 high-definition channels by March, which makes us wonder why every other cable company out there isn't on this very same warpath.[Image courtesy of TJooning]
RCN extends relationship with Highgate Hotels, will provide HDTV to weary travelers
RCN has stuck its nose (and HDTV services, for that matter) in all sorts of lodging chains before, and you can mark it down for another thanks to a revamped agreement with Highgate Hotels. The multi-year contract enables RCN to provide the company's New York portfolio of hotels with its own digital TV / HDTV services sans a set-top-box; additionally, the carrier will be delivering third-party VOD content. At first, the operator will upgrade existing service to the DoubleTree Metropolitan, Radisson Lexington and Park Central Hotels, and it expects to have all five phase-one Highgate properties operational by February 2009.
RCN pipes HD programming into Boston's Mandarin Oriental luxury hotel
This isn't the first hotel deal RCN has managed to land, and we have every reason to believe it's far from the last. The cable carrier's lastest grab is the Mandarin Oriental luxury hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, where it will deliver HDTV programming, all-digital cable and a dedicated data network connection to serve as the hotel's failsafe for internet connectivity. The multi-year deal will bring the services to 136 guestrooms, 12 luxury suites and the condominiums, apartments and retail stores located within the hotel. Now, if only we could afford a room to check it all out, we'd be set.
RCN brings the Analog Crush to Washington, DC
Project Analog Crush is in full swing, and RCN's next target is the nation's capital. The carrier is reclaiming analog spectrum and converting it to all digital in the Washington, D.C. area next month, and it's hoping to use all that freed bandwidth to deliver 75+ high-definition channels in the near future. Be on the lookout for notification of the changes real soon -- you'll be needing a digital converter box or CableCARD if you're still tapping into pure analog cable.
RCN gifts Chicago with a whole slew of new HD channels
Over the weekend, RCN decided to give locals a few more compelling reasons to not switch to one of those other carriers. A whole mess of new high-def stations appeared on the EPG, including a number of HBOs and premium channels and a handful of standard stations. We're talking MyNetworkTV (WPWR Chicago), Lifetime HD, ABC Family HD, Disney HD, Toon Disney HD, FOX News HD, FOX Business HD, ESPNews HD, Speed HD, NHL HD, Golf / Versus HD and all of the previously hinted-at premiums. Tap the read link for the full rundown, and get ready to spend some serious hours in front of the tube.[Thanks, Nick]
RCN keeps up the good work, rolls out all-digital cable in NYC
It was inevitable, really. As RCN's quest to smash analog and introduce all-digital cable to all of its markets continues, we've finally received word that it will do so in the Big Apple. Starting next month, the carrier will begin switching its New York network to all-digital, which will obviously enable it to "reclaim existing analog channels, improve the picture quality, make the network easier to maintain, and dramatically increase the number of standard and HD channels it can offer to subscribers." RCN CEO and President Peter Aquino even stated that it hopes to offer "approximately 100 HD channels or more in the future," which couldn't possibly sound sweeter. Now, if only we knew how long it would be before "in the future" became "today."
RCN "unfurls digital freedom" to Pennsylvania subscribers
RCN has been delivering the Analog Crush in a number of its markets, but this particular one was just too succulent to pass up. According to the carrier, it has "unfurled digital freedom" on its Delaware County, Pennsylvania subscribers, loosing them from the bondage that is analog. Starting next month, the company will begin transitioning said market to all-digital service, enabling it to "reclaim existing analog channels, improve the picture quality, make the network easier to maintain, and dramatically increase the number of standard and HD channels it can offer to subscribers." If RCN CEO and President Peter Aquino isn't blowing smoke, the outfit will be able to "increase its HD channels to more than 75 channels at launch -- with many more on the way." Man, maybe "unfurl" was the best explanation.
ESPNU HD preps for launch Thursday
After ESPNews, now it's time for ESPNU to make the jump to 720p, as promised last year, on August 28. So far Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, RCN, Atlantic Broadband and Broadstripe are signed on to distribute the channel, with ESPN "working on" deals with other providers. The debut event is the Vanderbilt vs. Miami (OH) football game at 7:30 p.m., with ESPN's fourth U.S. high definition station expecting to air over 200 HD events in its first year -- Thursday and Saturday live college football games, plus basketball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling and hockey. Coupled with a 15-year agreement to air SEC matchups on its family of networks, there should be plenty of SPEED on tap for ESPNU HD.
RCN giving New York City a taste of Analog Crush
New York is next in line after Massachusetts and Chicago, with the New York Times' CityRoom blog reporting it is next in RCN's plan to rid itself bandwidth-wasting of analog cable TV. Starting October 1, basic cable customers will suddenly become digital cable customers, with a few extra channels for their trouble. Of course we're more concerned with the potential of adding more HDTV over the ten already added recently, but first things first. Expect official word to go out in September, with rates expected to stay the same -- at least until next year.
RCN signs on to provide Chicago's TheWit Hotel with HDTV
With the battle in full force between AT&T and local cable carriers RCN / Comcast, we're seeing more than just price wars breaking out. RCN has decided to flex its muscle in a different way by inking a deal to provide Chicago's TheWit Hotel with HDTV programming. Currently, the venue is still under construction, but by the time the doors swing open for guests in May of 2009, the carrier should have high-def material piped to all 298 rooms. Mmm, the sweet, sweet scent of competition in the air.
RCN & Comcast dropping analog cable en Mass.
New England cable customers better get used to the digital cable box, as both RCN and Comcast made moves in the last week to shrink analog lineups with an eye towards eliminating them entirely in the future, making room for more HD. Comcast says its HD stations in Western Massachusetts will go from 30 to 50 by the end of the year, plus more VOD options, while analog customers can expect to have their channels halved within the next two years. Meanwhile RCN kicked off project Analog Crush on July 4 to go all digital, planning to double its current 40 HD channels and increase to more than 100. Dedham is first on the chopping block, while other Boston-area residences will go digital throughout the rest of the year. Got a TV still connected to analog? Check out the links below to find out when you'll be moving to digital or losing service entirely.Read - RCNRead - Comcast
RCN delivers 10 more HD channels to New York City
Possibly in response to competition from Verizon's FiOS or just as part of its general expansion plans, RCN put ten new stations in its NYC lineup today. Starting with the usual HD VOD expansion, the new channels are Discovery Channel-HD, Animal Planet-HD, The Learning Channel-HD, HGTV-HD, The Science Channel-HD, Lifetime Movie Networks-HD, Food Network-HD, Travel Channel-HD, VERSUS/Golf-HD and NFL Network-HD. RCN's New York City service covers parts of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Sounds to us like its time to invite Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz over to watch some TV.
RCN adds HD VOD and 7 new channels
Sure the promised 100 HD channel future is not yet upon us, but that doesn't mean RCN customers shouldn't be able to get plenty more HD when they choose. Narrowly missing its June deadline the company is ready to start offering high definition video on-demand, plus seven new channels (if you don't already have them): Discovery Channel-HD, Animal Planet-HD, The Learning Channel-HD, The Science Channel-HD, Lifetime Movie Network-HD, Food Network–HD, and Travel Channel-HD. Sounds like enough of a reason to cancel that family vacay to us.
RCN going all digital in Boston, Massachusetts
RCN already pulled the trigger and shot down any remaining analog stations in Chicago earlier this year, and now the time has come for the same merciless execution to hit Boston. Starting next month, the cable company will be nixing analog channels in order to "make room for more digital channels." Notably, RCN will be offering up converter boxes gratis for those currently without ($2.95 per month for additional ones), although it's estimated that 80% of the carrier's Bay State subscribers are already well equipped for the digital shift. Mum's the word on when this change will enable it to toss in a few more high-def offerings, but here's to hoping it's sooner rather than later.
RCN gives VOD library a kick in the pants
Earlier this year, Comcast took a long look at its VOD library and realized things were looking scarce. Apparently RCN has done the same, as it has just announced a new initiative to upgrade its on-demand technology in order to nearly double subscribers' content choices. Aside from boosting SD and HD choices, customers should also see a "more intuitive on-demand portal and virtual on-demand channels for easier accessibility," but unfortunately, we're not told exactly what new material will surface in high-def. Nevertheless, digital subscribers in Boston, Chicago, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. can expect to see a revamped VOD library "by June."
RCN livens up Boston's HD lineup once more
While Verizon seems somewhat uninterested in delving into the heart of Boston with its fiber-based TV service, RCN is pulling out all the stops to stay competitive with those other guys. Just days after gifting Bostonians with the Discovery suite of HD channels, along comes word that seven newcomers have hopped on board since. Effective immediately, users in the region can turn their attention to A&E HD (184), Biography Channel HD (185), History Channel HD (186), Travel Channel HD (188), FX HD (189), Lifetime Movie Network HD (190) and CNN HD (192). Now, if only Josh Beckett would get healthy (and in a hurry), all would well in the world, eh?[Thanks, Michael J.]
The Smithsonian Channel HD comes to RCN
First came DirecTV, then came Charter and Verizon, and now -- at long last -- RCN cable subscribers can look forward to fixing their eyes on The Smithsonian Channel HD. Sure enough, the network managed to land a high-definition carriage agreement with RCN Corporation, and while we're left to assume that it'll be hitting all of the firm's nationwide systems (please, pretty please!), we are told that this deal brings the channel's availability up to some 22.5 million households across the US. Sadly, a definitive launch date wasn't mentioned, but be sure to keep a close eye on that EPG, alright?
RCN unleashes four new HD options in Boston, Massachusetts
Hey, non-Comcast users in the greater Boston area -- feeling a touch of envy after the aforementioned carrier gifted its subscribers with Sci-Fi HD and Animal Planet HD last month? For those of you with RCN, your provider has done you one, er, two better. Reportedly, RCN has added four new high-definition channels to its lineup: Animal Planet HD, TLC HD, Discovery Channel HD and Science Channel HD. Needless to say, you'll be doing a lot of brain feeding in between Celtics matchups from here on out.[Thanks, Michael J.]
RCN adds MGM HD in Chicago
Moving one closer to the promised 100 HD channels, RCN has added MGM HD in Chicago. Previously noted as coming to DirecTV and FiOS, we're still waiting to see MGM's 4,100 movie-based channel and VOD platform on a few other providers, but ACE Communications, Antietam Cable and Armstrong Communications subscribers should have it soon. Meanwhile, RCN customers can feel comfort knowing that at least a small piece of the date-TBD 100 HD channel future, is now.
