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Mojo's new HD auto series, Test Drive
Mojo, the network formerly known as INHD, is putting its latest offering on the street. The new series, Test Drive, is all about guys and cars and it's in HD to boot. We know, women drive cars, too. But with segment titles like "Chick Magnets," somehow you know that Mojo hasn't changed its target demographic. Beyond the standard exotic car test drives, there are segments with a "news you can use" bent -- "Taking on Traffic," "Surviving the Concrete Jungle," and "Road Rage," for example. Look for the series to debut this October.
INHD to become Mojo
Ah, good 'ol INHD. Home of random sporting events, Howard Stern and Tour-de-Gorge, they have somewhat struggled to find a footing in this crazy world of HDTV but hopefully, a name change can make the differences. We kind of knew this was going to happen and as of May 1st, they are going to adopt the name of their primetime programming block: Mojo. This programming has apparently been very good to the male oriented station and now that there are more HD stations constantly throwing competition their way, INHD must feel that perhaps it will allow the station to regain some of its lost mojo. (you knew we had to drop the phrase eventually) All we know is that if they keep producing food-to-face cramming action, we will keep watching; mojo or no mojo.
INHD2 is dead, long live INHD1...err, Mojo
In Demand president Rob Jacobson confirmed the rumors we've been hearing about INHD, INHD2 will shut down January 1st and merge its programming with INHD1. There's also "a good chance" that the singular channel will adopt the name of its current primetime programming block, Mojo. The network is also considering adding additional nights of original programming to the Mojo block. More original HDTV shows, less Tour de Gorge should make everyone happy, we think.[Thanks, Chris]
INHD1 and INHD2 to be rolled into one?
HDSportsguide.com is reporting that INHD1 and INHD2 will be rolled into one at the end of this year. As much as we hate to loose an HD channel we can see how this works for everyone. There really isn't enough original HD programming from iN DEMAND Netowkrs to justify two HD channels and maybe this will lead to more cable providers using the space from INHD2 for another HD channel.
INHD might just come to Dish Network
We here at HDBeat have always been skeptical about the whole Dish Network carrying INHD thing. INHD is owned by a group of cable companies so it just doesn't seem in their best interest to allow Dish, or DIRECTV, to carry their station. But then again, that would be illegal. Something apparently happened as Dish withdrew a formal complaint against the station. Could this signal a deal in the works between the provide and the station? We sure hope so as that brings Dish Networks national HD lineup to a whopping 31 stations - extending their lead over DIRECTV even farther. 31 one HD stations...wow. Oh but we have more good news. Hometheaterblog found some uplinks over on satelliteguys.us forums that include 15 HD regional sports stations along with NHLHD and NBAHD stations. What more could you want?Read: INHD Imminent for Dish NetworkRead: Complaint withdrawalRead: Dish Network uplinks
Details on Doctor Danger
Following up on a story from June about INHD launching a new set of programming called Mojo, the currently-cable-only network has released more details about what the star of the series, Doctor Bob Arnot, will be adventuring about doing. The hourlong series premiere is September 17 at 9PM Eastern and Pacific (8 Central), and has the good doctor traveling to Africa, enjoying the finer aspects of life in Somalia (setting of a famous helicopter movie currently delayed for Blu-ray)The rest of the seven-episode season will air during the fall, and each episode will run for 30 minutes. Among some of the other things planned for the series:
Is Dish Network quietly adding INHD to their HD line-up?
The forums over at SatelliteGuys.US are a blaze with speculation that INHD is coming to Dish Network. Apparently, Scott Greczkowski (post count 15,385) is reporting that Dish up-linked INHD to both the 61.5 and 129 satellites on channel 9468. No, that station isn't available yet, if ever. This is just a rumor right now folks and as much as we would love to see Dish Network add yet another high-def station, this doesn't make much sense. A few cable companies including Comcast iN Demand Holdings, Inc., Cox Communications Inc., and Time Warner Entertainment–Advance/Newhouse own INHD. Therefore, this station is something that the cable companies can say is exclusive to them rather then their archrivals, the satellite companies. So unless there was a large licensing contract included here, it just doesn't make sense. We will see, but as we said before, we sure would love to see Dish Network acquire the station.[Thanks, Han]
If you could have one HD station, what would it be?
Yesterday's INHD2 topic got us thinking. There are tons of HD stations out there, well, maybe not tons, but at least a lot of 'em. The only issue is that if you don't have the right provider, then you might not be able to get it. Dish Network has the most stations but they don't even have everything. Dish is missing the INHD stations for one. Doesn't it just make you so angry that you are paying an arm and leg for their service but yet, you are still not getting the programming you want. .So we are wonder what provider you have and what is the number one high-def station you want and they don't have?
High-def poker tournament on INHD
INHD is going to broadcast the Vegas Open starting on July 2 at 10:30 pm est. This poker event will be filmed in the Ceasars Palace's "open and luxurious" 14,500 square foot poker room which will provide plenty of HD goodies to look at. This isn't a major poker tour event with the buy-in at only $1,060 but it should still be a good time to watch. Who among us hasn't wished for the World Poker Tour to be broadcast in HD? We all have and while this event might not have the star power of the WPT, it will beat it hands down on picture quality.
INHD introduces MOJO TV lineup for adventurous men
INHD is rolling out a new programming block Mojo, a lot like Cartoon Network's Adult Swim albeit aimed at "men who live accomplished and adventurous lives". Apparently if you are one, you'll just know. Basically, they are targeting the early adopter demographic they feel is the most likely to own an HDTV with what they think they we want to watch. Several of the shows kick off June 18, with a few more to follow later, all will air primarily on Sundays and Wednesdays during prime time.
Did you catch the NBA's dual SkyCam special HDTV broadcast?
As we told you about previously, the NBA debuted a whole new way of broadcasting their game last night for HDTV owners. I caught it and came away pretty impressed. The angle provided by the two SkyCams was far superior to the usual camera angles used. It brought you in a lot closer to the floor and made it feel like sitting close to courtside instead of simply being in the arena way up in the upper deck.One of my complaints about NBA broadcasts in high definition in the past has been how far out the cameras zoomed. There was often too much empty court or stands in the view and the players seemed small and far away (although amazingly detailed). Maybe having a bigger TV would have helped, but I don't and so I'm complaining. With these new camera angles I did not have that complaint at all.(Sorry about the painfully SD screenshot, but hopefully you can get an idea of the angle as Chris Wilcox goes in for a dunk)
Anyone else checking out NBA TV's "Silent Game"?
In case you missed it, today the NBA is broadcasting a game between the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, with no announcers, and all sound coming from the arena announcer and courtside mounted mics. So far so good, it's so much like being there I stood in line for 20 minutes to get a beer from my own refrigerator. The only weird thing is going to commercial breaks because there's no segue.It's being broadcast in high definition on INHD1, so check it out This also an excellent opportunity to check out DARKONATION in action, recently freed from the Detroit Pistons who played the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier today. I didn't catch that game (too busy playing Fight Night), was it broadcast in high definition or another disappointment?
New Years Marathons INHD
The New Years day marathon has become a bit of a tradition, with my favorite always being all the Twilight Zone episodes on the SciFi channel. But today I've been switching back and forth between the Lions game and the two INHD channels.INHD1 is currently running all their "Fields of Glory" episodes where the explore different sports facilities and their history, great stuff. On INHD2 they're playing all-IMAX all day, from 8 this morning till 7 tomorrow morning. So far I've explored ice caverns at the North Pole, climbed sequoias in California, surfed, played w/ sea otters and rode along in an Indy car all from the comfort of my couch.
INHD uses HD for public service
What a fantastic e-mail we just got from the folks over at INHD; they're using high-definition and Dolby 5.1 in what may be the first ever HD Public Service Announcement. Starting this Saturday, you can see the debut program from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The sixty-second spot is part of the "Drug Abuse and HIV: Learn the Link" program.The full one-minute informational message will be on both INHD and INHD2, while shorter segments will air at various times afterwards on both networks. Hats off to the network for spreading an important message via the high-def medium. We see this as a compelling announcement, simply because people who see shows in HD for the first time literally get glued to the set. Using high-definition to get the public's attention is a superb way to get a message across!
