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Dish Network satellite 129 outage knocks out HD channels nationwide - Update: Fixed!
If your Dish Network-connected TV is claiming total signal loss, then at least take comfort in the fact that you're not alone. While the company hasn't revealed exactly what the problem is, Facebook and Twitter posts indicate a "technical issue" with satellite location 129. The really bad news comes when we learned that bird is responsible for carrying many HD channels and HD locals (check the links below for a list of all channels on 129). Switching over to SD channels will let you watch (if that can really be called watching TV) most content in the short term -- DBSTalk posters advise hitting menu and selecting 1 on your remote to pull up the guide if you're having trouble. If you currently hide standard-def channels, press menu, then 8, then 1 and uncheck the "HD only" box to see the working channels for now. We'll keep checking for any updates on the situation, but for now you're on your own in a 480-line wilderness, so good luck. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Dish has a new webpage up to help customers deal with the situation here, while those who can't get through on crowded helplines are advised to check out @dish_answers on Twitter. Update 2: Dish's site linked above indicates it has "identified the issue" and estimates it will be fixed overnight. Update 3 (9/14): According to Dish Network's official Twitter account, things should be up and running again now. Satisfied? P.S. - Another helpful DBSTalk post recommends a guide data update by pressing Menu, then 999 and then the right arrow.
DirecTV's latest HD add is Telefutura in Miami, but who needs more channels anyway?
In a surprisingly rare occurrence these days, DirecTV has a new HD channel to announce, now that it's carrying WAMI / Telefutura in the Miami area. Unfortunately, if you're a primarily English speaking customer there's not much to report, and according to a recent interview with Multichannel News, DirecTV thinks that's just fine. Executive VP Derek Chang told the site that after cracking 100 channels it became "more about the overall experience" (unless that experience is a new DirecTiVo) and that everyone has most of the important stuff in HD. Of course, we know from some of our readers comments that missing AMC, BBC America and more is leaving some of "the important stuff" out. That sounds like poll time to us, so whether you're DirecTV subscriber or not, pick one of the options below and let us know how you feel about their channel lineup. %Poll-66631% [Thanks, cypherstream]
DirecTV to add a few HD channels from HBO next week
If you've been waiting for new HD channels from DirecTV, and not just 3D, congratulations, as forum posts on DBSTalk reveal HBO Signature HD and HBO Family HD are headed to the service on the 30th. Of course, if you're not signed up for the HBO pack of channels it won't do much for you, but at least the rumored delay of the next season of Mad Men gives the satellite company a little more time to get AMC HD up and running. [Thanks, Joe]
DirecTV raises its HD channels claim to 160, disses Dish for juking the numbers
We hadn't even finished counting Dish's 200 channels claim when DirecTV pops up with plans to add a whole slew of new HD networks as well. By its reckoning, tossing ESPNU HD, WGN HD, MSNBC HD, some additional DirecTV Cinema Channels and more puts it over 160 "around the clock HD channels", and executive VP Derek Chang couldn't resist tossing in a link to count them for yourself. He's laid the gauntlet down for Dish to put its channel lineup up for similar scrutiny, we'll see if the end result of this duel is more clarity in the channel/choices count wars. Check the full press release after the break.
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 - Cablevision Launches ESPNU In Standard-Definition And HD Read - Cable Tech Pavilion to Highlight 3DTV, Tru2way Read - Rapids To Regionally Broadcast 2010 Games On KWGN/Channel 2 In High Definition Read - Fox Sports Kansas City announces Royals High Definition TV schedule Read - All Regular Season Cards Games in HD on FSM Read - Digital age coming for Comcast TV subscribers (Boulder, CO) Read - Suddenlink changing cable, Internet service in Alexandria area (Louisiana)
AT&T's U-verse: now with 100+ HD channels in every market
Look out, pay-TV providers -- AT&T just broke out the big stick and announced that it's now beaming at least 100 high-def channels in every last one of its markets. In fact, that's more HD channels than any local cable competitor in any existing U-verse market. Just in case you were wondering, customers won't be dinged any extra for the new additions, with HD service being included with the U450 tier and available for $10 per month with any other U-verse TV package. So yeah, we're stoked as can be for those with access to this stuff, but can we get a little market expansion going on now that the century mark has been passed?
DISH Network pulls up 30 stations short of 150 HD channels goal
It was a valiant effort, it really was, but unless DISH Network pulls 30 channels out of its back pocket this afternoon, it will fall short of its 150 HD channel goal. If you'll recall, the satcaster proudly proclaimed that it would be offering 150 high-def channels before the year's end, and with just hours to go (in this part of the world, anyway) before 2009 begins, it looks like failure is in sight. Now, there's nothing at all wrong with 120 high-definition stations -- we mean, hordes of cable subscribers would do unfathomable things for that many options -- but it's certainly good to call DISH on the rug in order to get those extra 30 out on the double. Let's make a deal, DISH -- you provide the remainder to the people within 30 days or so, and we'll pretend you meant before Chinese New Year.
Poll: With over 100 HD channels, are you switching to satellite?
Phew. Talk about a whirlwind of high-def announcements this week. No sooner did DirecTV trumpet its march to 130 HD channels did DISH Network hit back with a nice round 150 figure. Cablevision tried its best to garner some attention with a boastful press release to celebrate the big six-o, but it's clear who the two HD leaders in America are now (with Verizon breathing down their necks in a few 'hoods). That being said, are you finally getting the itch to throw caution to the wind and toss a dish upside your house? Are you really ready to say goodbye to those cable company bundle discounts? And if 130 / 150 isn't enough, what milestone will the satcasters have to reach before you cave?[Image courtesy of WikiMedia] %Poll-17598%
DirecTV announces next 44 markets to get HD locals
Not quite a month after DISH Network unveiled its summer / fall HD locals, DirecTV is continuing to excite by announcing its next 44 markets that will receive HD locals. According to the company, it will be providing local HD broadcasts in 121 cities by the end of 2008, which will reportedly represent 88-percent of US TV households. Just after 30 some-odd new HD channels go live on August 14th, it will begin rolling out HD locals to cities like Augusta, GA, Baton Rouge, LA, Boise, ID, Chattanooga, TN and El Paso, TX. There are 39 more markets to scan through in the read link -- here's to hoping your locale is listed!
Cablevision trumpets 60 HD channels, DirecTV / Verizon chuckle
Maybe Cablevision just pulled the trigger without looking, but rather than holding its head in shame after hearing that Verizon hit 100 HD channels (at least in NY) and DirecTV would soon reach 130, it decided to pump out a release bragging about reaching the mighty six-oh. Granted, 60 high-def stations is way more than some carriers offer in some locales (TWC, we're looking at you), but the timing is comical regardless. Cablevision will soon be adding 15 new high-definition channels to its iO TV lineup, with some regions seeing them as early as today. The newcomers are: AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, Fox News HD, FX HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, IFC HD, Nickelodeon HD, Science HD, SPEED HD, Spike HD, The Weather Channel HD, TLC HD, Travel Channel HD and WE HD. Oh, and before you Cablevision subscribers gripe over "just" having 60, remember the folks in much worse situations.
DirecTV to boast 130 HD channels on August 14th, 1080p movies later this year
Now this is what we're talking about! On the very same morning that Verizon trumpets its achievement of hitting 100 high-def channels in New York, along comes DirecTV to make that figure look second-rate. The satcaster has just announced that it will be hosting upwards of 130 high-definition channels on August 14th, which means that 30 or so newcomers are just weeks away from going live. All of the channels will be transmitted in the MPEG-4 AVC standard, and if you're curious, it also plans to provide "movies in 1080p" later this year. Included in the new stations will be Showtime Extreme HD, Showtime Showcase HD, Planet Green HD, ABC Family HD, additional DirecTV HD pay-per-view channels and 23 more regional sports networks in high-def 24 hours a day. Any other carriers feel like doing the leapfrog today?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Where Is HD? integrates VOD into listings
Not too much to say beyond the title, but everyone's favorite high-def lister has now begun to integrate video-on-demand offerings into the lineups. It should be noted that VOD listings aren't totally implemented just yet, so if you see a few holes in your own carrier's list, rest assured that plugs are on the way.
Where Is HD? adds HD-ready channels to listings
Your favorite HD locator has been updated yet again, barely a week after colored genres and printouts appeared. This time, the refresh brings in HD-ready channels, which are networks that do not currently produce any bona fide HD content, yet are apt to make the switch in short order. For example, here in the frigid town of Barrow, Alaska, we see that 5 StarMAX and Independent Film Channel HD are both being included for the 99723 zip code as HD-ready. On a related note, a listing of HD News is now available for those fervently checking their listings on a daily basis.
Where Is HD? adds colored genres, printable listings
Yeah, we're still not thrilled that Where is HD? lists TBS HD, TNT HD and other stretch-o-vision networks as broadcasting 100-percent high-def material, but aside from a few minor gripes, it's still a fairly useful service. Recently, the HD locator tool has added in colors to differentiate between genres (locals, sports and movies currently), and just in case you feel like printing your listing out and posting it up for grandma to peek when she house-sits, there's an option for that as well. Now, if only we actually had a domicile in 96740...
DirecTV relies on Where Is HD? data for quantity comparisons
We're not entirely sure how long this has been going on, but on DirecTV's "Stomps the Competition" page, it relies on data from Where Is HD? in order to stack cable providers up against itself and DISH Network. In reality, there's no question that DTV currently holds the crown as the provider of the most HD in America, but given the pool of complaints from commenters about the accuracy of Where Is HD?, we're curious to know if the figure shown is just an average of zip codes sampled or something else. Overall, it's a petty matter -- after all, 55 HD channels on cable is a heck of a lot more than a huge chunk of cable users get today, so it's not like DirecTV is giving coax an unfair rub. Check the full spread below.[Thanks, Cody] %Gallery-19843%
Where Is HD? lays out your options when selecting a provider
There's really no other way to say it: Where Is HD? is one of the -- if not the -- most incredibly tool to date for folks yearning to see if they've made the best choice for an HD provider. Early last month, we laid out the basics for you to digest, but the Where Is HD? website takes things one step further by enabling you to input your zip code and browse through the various providers available to you. Best of all, it not only includes cable and satellite carriers, but OTA options and fiber operators as well. Heck, there's even a percentage listing to tell you how much content on each channel is actually being aired in high-def. Eager to see what's readily available in your neck of the woods? Tag the read link below and eat your heart out.
The definition of an HD channel?
This has become the year of new HD channels and while we can't get enough HD, Mark Cuban brings up a good point on his blog. There are lots of new HD channels, but not so much actual HD. Of course this is nothing new, even the earliest so-called HD channels showed mostly SD material, and even today most HD network show as much SD as HD. There are of course a few 24x7 HD networks, but most of them are inundated with reruns. This persistent problem seems to be getting worse as we'll soon have one HD network that isn't HD at all, and others that don't plan to do much HD in their first year. Don't get us wrong we're not complaining, but we think now might be a good time for the industry to come up with a definition of an HD channel.
HD version of Hallmark Movie Channel coming in Q1 2008
Those who've found themselves skipping right over the Hallmark Movie Channel solely due to its standard-definition nature can start rejoicing, as Crown Media Holdings is reportedly set to launch an HD simulcast of the station next year. Henry Schleiff, president and CEO of Crown Media, owner of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, "unveiled plans for Hallmark Movie Channel HD during a second-quarter conference call," and he also noted that it would "include the presentation of many Hallmark Channel original movies in their pure high-definition form." No word on a hard launch date just yet, but look for it to show up sometime in Q1 2008.
DirecTV to deliver 70 HD channels by the end of Q3?
We've heard so many promises from DirecTV that we hardly take them seriously anymore, but according to CEO Chase Carey, the satellite provider will indeed be beaming out "70 HD channels" by the end of Q3. Reportedly, the comments were uttered during the firm's second-quarter conference call, and it was noted that there were deals currently in place for 90 HD networks. Furthermore, Carey stated that it had "20 or 30 channels that would need a couple of months to get an HD feed online, which is why it will grow from 70 to over 100 in those few months." Again, this is far from the first assurance we've had that the elusive "100 HD channels" are actually coming soon, but considering that the DirecTV 10 is successfully in orbit and the DirecTV 11 should be headed there soon, maybe there's some truth to this one.
Comcast hands out six more HD channels in Colorado Springs
As Comcast continues to rollout more digital / HD channels around the nation, Colorado Springs has become the latest city to be blessed with an increase in HD options. Reportedly, the operator has launched six HD channels in its Colorado Springs market -- Cinemax HD, Versus / Golf Channel HD, Universal-HD, MHD, National Geographic HD and A&E HD -- bringing the area's total to 19. Best of all, the half dozen new choices come at an oh-so-bearable cost of nada if you're already a digital cable subscriber with an HD-enabled set-top-box.
