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Bright House bigwig acknowledges complaints about Mystro Digital Navigator
Finally, someone inside sees the light. According to quotes from a recent interview with Craig Saari, Bright House's senior director of engineering, he realizes that the Mystro Digital Navigator is patently awful, though he doesn't really have a good reason why Passport was ditched in favor of something that is almost universally despised. After the aforesaid software was rolled out en masse last week in Central Florida, hordes of customers are yelping that more functionality has been lost than gained, and even Saari confessed that the Mystro is much slower to respond to remote inputs. All that being true, the question beckons: "Why?" Why on Earth are providers like BHN and Time Warner Cable switching out the antiquated (but perfectly usable) Passport application for something that's entirely worse? We suppose we'll never know the truth, but at least BHN customers have someone, somewhere working to make things better. Or so they say.Update: So it's possible the new software was implemented for tru2way support. Makes sense, but it doesn't ease the pain of suckage.
New Bright House DVR software rolling out en masse to Central Floridians
A select few Bright House Networks subscribers in Central Florida have already been blessed (if you want to call it that) with the carrier's new "Digital Navigator" DVR software, and for better or worse, it's coming to even more of you soon. BHN has put out an announcement to notify customers in the region that the rollout should hit everyone by the end of this month, and while it claims the new look will make it "easier to find programs, give parents more parental control options and allow Digital Phone customers to have Caller ID displayed on their TV," we know all too well how these refreshes can end up in reality. Unfortunately, we have a feeling most of you won't be enjoying the change.
Bright House Networks adds Lifetime Movies HD / FX HD in Tampa
We'd be a little envious of Bright House Networks customers in Michigan, but we highly doubt you'll really be complaining about two newcomers -- even if you're not the biggest fan of either. Rather quietly, BHN has added Lifetime Movies HD (737) and FX HD (738) to the guide in Tampa, Florida, though we can't say this couple was the most highly anticipated. Ah well, at least you know someone down there is thinking of you (or your business, anyway).
Bright House Networks brings 6 new HD channels to Michigan
Chin up, Michigan residents -- or, at least the ones with Bright House Networks in their homes. As of next week, you folks will have access to a half dozen more HD channels, placing the total well above 30. Starting September 30th, you'll find CNN HD (227), ABC Family HD (259), ESPNU HD (264), Lifetime Movies (271), Disney HD (272) and Palladia HD (279) in the EPG. Man, if only we were all so lucky.[Thanks, Dean]
Bright House snags Big Ten Network, ESPNU HD and CNN HD
Bright House Networks subscribers in Michigan already noticed Big Ten Network on the EPG, but now the carrier has fessed up and confirmed that it will soon be landing in other markets. Additionally, ESPNU HD and CNN HD will be coming along for the ride, though there's no indication of when. Thanks, BHN -- we'll just twiddle our thumbs and hope they show up.[Thanks, Jamie]
Big Ten Networks lands on Bright House Michigan
Comcast, Charter and Time Warner Cable already wrapped up deals in at least some locales to get Big Ten Network out to its subscribers. Now, we've got Bright House Networks in Michigan doing the same. You all know the details by now -- more Big 10 in high-def -- but we're wondering if any other BHN markets got gifted as well. Chime in either way, will you?[Thanks, Dean]
BHN, Time Warner Cable and Blue Ridge Communications join in on Olympics fun
We'd say the flood gates are officially open. Not only are the two major fiber players in America making sure subscribers get their fill of the 2008 Olympics, but a swarm of cable companies are doing the same. Aside from Comcast, Charter, Mediacom and a few others, we've now learned that Blue Ridge Communications will be launching USA HD, CNBC HD, Olympic Basketball HD and Olympic Soccer HD (saywha?) on August 8th. Bright House Networks has revealed plans to light up NBC Universal HD (at least in Michigan), while Time Warner Cable tosses in USA HD and Universal HD for places not already gifted. Gee, thanks guys, you shouldn't have.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in][Image courtesy of Sports Photo]Read - Bright House Networks expansionRead - Time Warner Cable expansionRead - Blue Ridge Communications expansion
Bright House Networks adds a half dozen HD channels in Birmingham, AL
No sooner did Time Warner Cable toss in six new high-def stations in Wetumpka than Bright House Networks has matched it up in Birmingham. With the threat of AT&T's U-verse hanging over the existing cable carriers, BHN has apparently seen fit to add in Discovery HD (659), TLC HD (666), National Geographic HD (667), Food HD (668), HGTV HD (669) and MGM HD (684). Alright TWC, ball's in your court once again.[Thanks, Andrew]
Bright House adds 8 channels for Detroit, MI customers
Almost as good as the ongoing Tigers win streak is the news that Bright House is delivering a new pack of channels to its Motor City-area customers. With the news that half of its digital customers now enjoy HD service, it's launching Discovery HD, Animal Planet HD, The Learning Channel HD, History HD, Science HD, HGTV HD, and Food HD on the basic lineup for no extra charge, while MGM HD jumps onboard the $6.95 optional HD Package. Expect more updates as the company continues to unleash new channels to its customers across the country, so if these aren't exactly the channels you wanted, just wait a minute, they'll change.[Thanks, Dean]
Bright House Networks adds Discovery / Animal Planet HD in Indianapolis
It's turning into quite the weekend for lineup changes. Shortly after Bright House Networks added a few high-def options to the EPG in Tampa Bay, we've received word from the great city of Indianapolis that a couple of fresh ones just appeared there as well. The two in question are Discovery HD (732) and Animal Planet HD (751), both of which should keep you entertained if you decide to spend your 48 hours of leisure kicked back doing absolutely nothing.[Thanks, Patrick]
Bright House launches 4 new HD channels in Tampa, Florida
Not like you didn't know three of the four were coming, but a tipster down in the Tampa Bay area just informed us that Bright House Networks has launched four new HD channels in Central Florida. As of now, MGM HD (710), Disney HD (735) and Family Channel HD (736) have been flipped on, and the elusive CNN HD has finally shown up on slot 728. Enjoy![Thanks, Jensen]
Bright House bringing ABC Family / Disney / MGM HD to Central Florida
It said that it would be adding 50 new HD channels by mid- to late-2009, and while three newcomers isn't the hugest of deals, we suppose it has to start somewhere. Bright House Networks has just announced that it will be delivering a new trio to Central Florida: ABC Family HD (1337), Disney HD (1335) and MGM Channel HD (1306). It should be noted that the latter station will only be available to those who subscribe to its $6 / month High Definition Pack, which also includes MOJO HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, Universal HD and HD Showcase. Nice gesture, BHN, but we're still not totally over that whole CableCARD fiasco.
Bright House CableCARD customers lose four HD channels, offered an HD DVR instead
Hey, Bright House CableCARD customers -- remember those eight HD channels that popped online back in September? Turns out, you were only supposed to receive half of 'em, and reportedly, four have actually been pulled after five newcomers were added in late January. According to Arthur Orduna, the senior vice president of product for BHN, it had decided to "not to deliver those channels [HGTV HD, TBS HD, The History Channel HD and Food Network HD] to CableCard customers" as it prepared for switched digital video, and apparently, the cable company is now allowing these very subscribers to trade their beloved CableCARD in for a ho hum HD DVR. Supposedly, this stopgap will enable customers to view the entire HD lineup while they wait for an "external adapter" to be rolled out which will allow CableCARD-ready TiVos to play nice with SDV. Sounds like a pretty complicated mess from here -- anyone down in the Sunshine state dealing with this here dilemma?[Thanks, Celly and David]
Bright House Networks to add 50 HD channels over next 18 months
Not even three months ago, we got word that Bright House Networks would be adding eight new HD channels to its lineup, but now that number has skyrocketed with an announcement promising some 50 high-definition channels within the next 18 months. Reportedly, customers will see the first HD additions on February 1, 2008, as six unspecified channels are tossed in. Christian Fenger, president of BHN's Central Florida division, proclaimed that it would "triple" its HD offerings over the next 1.5 years by adding content that was "compelling, entertaining and of interest to its customers," and the firm also noted that the expansion was being made possible because of its "hybrid fiber-coaxial network architecture and long-standing relationships with the programmers."
Bright House Networks adds National Geographic HD in at least one market
One of our favorite HD channels is finally starting to get some love from Bright House Networks as it was recently added to the line-up at channel 727 in the Tampa market. This is good news from BHN fans everywhere as well as Time Warner Cable (a Time Warner company just like Engadget), as San Antonio customers can also expect to see NatGeo show up in HD in that market very soon. We've come to expect BHN and TWC to add HD channels together since they team up in the attempt to get a better carriage deal. Unfortunatly for some customers, who haven't seen a new HD channels in their local TWC market in some time, can expect not to see this one as well. With the bandwidth challenged markets the only thing that can help them is SDV, which can't get their fast enough for some, or slow enough for others. Read - TWC agrees to add National Geographic HDRead - Bright House Networks adds National Geographic HD in Tampa
Bright House Networks to add 8 new HD channels
Just like we've come to expect, when Time Warner Cable adds new channels, so does Bright House Networks. And, the latest addition is eight new HD channels that we've recently seen added to other nationwide providers. We know TBS HD is already live in at least one BHN market, but we don't know exactly when the rest of these channels will be launched which include; Food Network, History Channel, HGTV, Discovery Science, The Learning Channel, Discovery and Animal Planet. Still no word on CNN HD, but we'd bet it is added before too long.
Time Warner Cable's new HD channels in October
Some providers can't stop talking about when they'll add new HD channels, while others would rather keep things under wraps 'till the new programming goes live. While both strategies have their advantages, not communicating with your customers is usually not a good idea. It appears now that TWC has quite a few plans for HD expansion in October, as customers in at least one market can expect to see many of the same channels DirecTV has been touting including, TBS HD, The History Channel HD, CNN HD, Lifetime Movies HD, and Food Network HD. While TBS HD is expected to go live in time for the MLB playoffs on October 1st, the rest are expected on October 15th. We can only assume that TWC and Bright House Networks customers all over the country will see these channels around the same time, but without a specific announcement, your guess is as good as ours.
Is hell freezing over: Time Warner Cable to add ESPN2HD?
We have been expecting this for some time and it might finally happen, according to the general manager of Bright House Networks in Tampa FL; ESPN2HD will go live tonight on channel 704. You're probably wondering, what does Bright House Networks has to do with Time Warner Cable? Because a few years ago Bright House Networks markets were Time Warner Cable markets and although they are now managed separately, they continue to negotiate carriage agreements together to increase their bargaining power. This team work does not gurantee that if one provider picks up a new channel the other will too, but we're betting they do. (It may just be wishful thinking)
