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Discovery HD Theater is becoming Velocity, focuses on programming for 'upscale male audience'
This is the last summer for Discovery HD Theater as it will be replaced by Velocity starting September 25th. The new channel focuses on reaching an "upscale male audience" that digs shows like Cafe Racer, Inside West Coast Customs and Mecum Auto Auctions while still promising to keep up HD Theater's rep for high quality production and picture quality. We're sad to see HD Theater fall by the wayside -- Sunrise Earth, never forget -- but if this means we can get a few new episodes of Rides it may not be a bad thing after all. On the other hand, we also remember how well this exact plan failed to save INHD / Mojo years ago. Check out a trailer (that's unfortunately low-res but is the best we could do) and press release for the new network after the break.
Discovery HD Theater thrills Baraka, Sunrise Earth fans with Lightscapes, Episode 1 June 21
Just when you thought we were all out of experiential TV, Discovery HD Theater has added Lightscapes, Episode One to its schedule. Claiming inspiration from Baraka and Sunrise Earth (seriously Discovery, where's that new season? Are we going to have to wake up early and go outside to see the sun come up? Don't make us do it.) it is apparently the first network TV show consisting mostly of timelapse photography shot on a Canon 5D Mark II. The gallery also shows a RED camera busy capturing 4K footage of Japanese media artist Akira Hasegawa's work, projecting large abstract images onto the 2000-year old Grand Ise Shrine. Ok, so it's not exactly 24, but it is the kind of thing we'll watch because it's in HD, so check the trailer after the break and set your DVR for June 21, 7:30 a.m. %Gallery-95013%
Sony, IMAX & Discovery bringing 24/7 3D home first in 2011
Since it was one of the first to launch 24/7 HD broadcasting with Discovery HD Theater, it only makes sense Discovery is blazing the 3D path, helped along by Sony and IMAX. The bad news? This three way venture won't be coming home until 2011, well after ESPN kicks off part time broadcasting and, in our opinion, leaving a wide window if a certain Dallas-based billionare wants to launch his own channel -- we're thinking "3DNet" could be a good name. C'mon Mark, you know you want to. Check the PR after the break for details, although there's no word on which documentaries we'll be seeing looped day after day (and, if our experience with HD Theater is any indication, will still be amazed by even the 50th time.)
100 straight, October 4, don't cut: WRC schedule for HD Theater revealed
We finally know exactly when Discovery HD Theater will deliver the rally racing action it promised now that the official schedule has been revealed. Our friends at Autoblog have plenty of pics to gawk over while we mark off the days, check after the break for the PR with dates and times, plus a preview trailer. We're not sold on how the new NA engines in WRC may sound in 5.1, but we'll always take more HD racing action, you hear that Bernie?
World Rally Championship racing coming to Discovery HD Theater
It's been far too long since we've had new programming to mention on Discovery HD Theater, and far too long since World Rally Championship action has been broadcast in the U.S., so it's good to hear that the two are coming together this October. Expect weekly coverage from every round in the championship in 1080i and 5.1 surround of 4WD turbocharged vehicles rocketing down narrow off road routes plus "a range of other content." Those familiar with the series can attest to the beautiful locales WRC finds itself in, and should look great on our HDTVs this fall. That brings nearly ever racing series into high definition, except For 1 notable exception.[Via Autoblog]
The complicated economics of an all HD channel
While you're kicking back and enjoying some HD content on a lazy Sunday it is easy to give little regard to the economics that make that HD content possible. Most don't care much about what makes the world go around, but if you've always wondered why there aren't more all-HD channels, this recent post over at Multichannel news is worth the read. Most notable is the challenges all-HD networks face including the fact that Nielsen doesn't even provide rating for them. If you're a big Mark Cuban fan you might also find it interesting as a number of his quotes are included like when he says "We really think that as our distribution continues to grow, we can dominate the demographic (13-34 males)."
Discovery HD Theater isn't going anywhere
When we heard that Discovery was launching new HD channels our first thought was: What about Discovery HD Theater? It appears we weren't the only ones, and the executive vice president & general manager of Discovery, Clint Stinchcomb, said that it will still be the HDTV enthusiast's "home page." While we're not sure exactly what this means, we hope that it means they are only adding channels and will continue to use Discovery HD Theater to showcase the best of their HD programming 24x7.
It came from outer space: Live HDTV from the space station this morning
Don't forget, this is the morning of the live HDTV broadcast from the International Space Station, being shown exclusively in Japan on NHK and elsewhere on Discovery HD Theater. The Sony HD camera was donated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), so that we can get the best look at space available without heading to the local IMAX theater. Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and engineer Mikhail Tyurin will host the event, while third crewmember Thomas Reiter operates the camera. Hopefully this is the first of many live broadcasts, which are preferred because it saves money from transporting extra weight in the form of tapes to and from the ISS. The broadcast kicks off at 11:30 am EST and will re-air at 9 p.m. and midnight.
