markcuban
Latest
HDNet, HDNet Movies on top of HD-exclusive viewership rankings
While the amount of HD exclusive channels continues to (slowly) grow, it was Mark Cuban's own HDNet and HDNet Movies that took home the gold in the "first high-definition TV ratings" acquired by TNS Media Research. The data was gathered from set-top-boxes in an unnamed "major market," and the two channels were said to "excel in both weekday and weekend" ratings. For the week ending July 1st, the channels held between 6.1-percent and 8.6-percent of the viewers that were tuned into 100-percent HD channels, which simply leaves us to wonder what the other 90 or so percent of eyes were watching so intently.[Via BlogMaverick]
Cuban on programming: what content is only suited for HD?
Sure, this question has been around the block a time or two before, and while the emergence of channels such as Discovery HD Theater, Mojo, and MHD certainly give us clues as to what works best in HD, Cuban has taken the inquiry a bit further. It's fairly obvious that live concerts, sporting events, and travel content are far superior when viewed in high-definition, but does content exist (or should it?) that plays well on an HDTV, but not at all on a vanilla SDTV? Cuban actually suggests that concerts fit the bill in his mind, and while we can't imagine the wide array of televised music awards suddenly vowing to become HD only, we will agree that it's (marginally) above a snorefest when heard in 5.1. Truth be told, it's hard to imagine any content only suitable for HD, unless glorified infomercials about luxury items (you know, to somewhat fit with the HD demographic) are considered valuable programming. Nevertheless, feel free to read Cuban's take on the whole ordeal, and don't be shy, sound off below with your best rebuttal.
Got a great idea for a HD show?
HD's biggest fan and supporter Mark Cuban is looking for ideas for a new show on HDNet. He is soliciting comments on his blog, so if you have a good idea for a show, head over and make it happen. He does warn "If they have anything to with sports or a deck of cards", that they will be deleted, so keep those great ideas for your own HD network. Lets just hope that this actually leads to some more great content on HDNet.
Cuban claims that broadcast networks are missing HDTV opportunities
One of our favorite egomaniacs has once again stepped atop his soapbox, and with relatively awful sentence structure and nearly illegible paragraphs, Mark Cuban has managed to blast broadcast networks for missing the opportunities HDTV presents -- or at least that's what we deciphered. He suggests that while streaming internet video may be the "hot sexy thing" right now, the limited "internet bandwidth available to the home" puts a theoretical cap on the "quality and simplicity of video delivery." Of course, he forgets to mention the bandwidth crisis that every major cable provider out there is now facing, as the aging copper wiring simply can't keep up with the HD explosion in its current state. Nevertheless, he states that "HDTV is the internet video killer," and also says that the ease of receiving HD broadcasts on your television (really?) will prove a more viable outlet for advertisers to use in the long run as HD becomes more and more common in American households. Mr. Cuban (apparently) insinuates that broadcast networks should seize the opportunity that HDTV presents to elicit funding for those crisp, bright HD commercials -- but let's be realistic, we've already learned that HDTV "has no business model," and tapping that FF button happens just as rapidly regardless of whether the plug is in paltry SD or 1080i. Moreover, ole Mark didn't hold back from plugging his own HDNet channel as being a frontrunner in the HD ad revolution, but we'd recommend he figure out a way to cram more HD channels through an antiquated pipeline before complaining over a lack of HD channels to advertise on.
Cuban teams with Dell to offer bundled HDNet Blu-ray content
Now that Dell's riding high on the Blu-ray bandwagon, what more could you ask for when picking up that now-BD-equipped M1710? How about a free flick from Mark Cuban? While we can hear the groaning in the back, ole Mark has decided to plug his very own HDNet by partnering with Dell and tossing in a free Blu-ray title -- "HDNet World Report Special: Shuttle Discovery's Historic Mission" -- with each XPS M1710 notebook. Although further details on the deal weren't readily available, it was implied that future Blu-ray equipped machines would also grace buyers with free BD titles of Cuban's choosing, and while you might not agree with Mark's antics, you can't really complain with free.
Magnolia Pictures' The Architect to hit theaters and discs December 5
Mark Cuban has been pushing for day-and-date releases and giving customers choices on how they want to experience content; for those who decide to check out The Architect when it's released they will certainly have plenty of choices. With a day-and-date theatrical, cable, DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray release you can check it out on any format you want -- no BitTorrent Mark? -- but it remains to be seen if this type of release will spread to other studios. The Architect is a film about a mother who is trying to get the housing project where she lives torn down and rebuilt, and brings the original architect to see what has become of it. No word on any HD extras, the DVD has an MSRP of $28.98 while the high definition versions are set for $34.98[Via MovieWeb]
Mark Cuban: I would buy an HD DVD player today and wait for a dual box
Yes, we are fully ignoring the rest of this interview with Mark Cuban concerning his HD networks and business to focus on the ongoing format war. If you want to read it there is actually quite a bit of other interesting commentary on why HDNet isn't carried on more cable networks, how he plans to use Dan Rather and in the second part posted today, why the Emmys weren't broadcast in HD and what he thinks of the digital TV transition. But we must post about HD DVD and Blu-ray at least twice each day so we'll focus on that. Interestingly, he first says he would rather get a cheap HTPC and run high definition content off of that, but otherwise would choose HD DVD right now and a combo player later. This is a viewpoint seen in more than a few AV forums around the net, is Mark just a part of a niche HD DVD market or is this evidence that even a billionaire who can afford a 103-inch plasma HDTV thinks Blu-ray is way overpriced?
American Airlines Center loaded up with nearly 500 Dell flat-panel HDTVs
Sometimes it isn't the size that matters, but rather the quantity that is more impressive. Dolphin Stadium may have their gigantic HD billboard but, the home of the Dallas Mavericks is going to have nearly 500 Dell HDTVs installed in it. That's right, we said Dells. The tally starts with 185 42-inch plasmas for the luxury suites and commons, 23 50-inch plasmas for the more 'up-scale' areas, and 276 23- and 32-inch LCDs on the concourse. This is starting to be the trend and most major venues have flat-panels installed but not many use Dells. This could be a big coup for the computer maker. The American Airlines Center can hold 19,200 fans during the basketball season (18,00 during hockey) so that makes a whole lot of people staring at these Dell screens while they are waiting for their $6 beers.
Mark Cuban is offering you a job in the movie biz...
Mark Cuban has a problem and it is kind of our fault. He wants people to go to the theater instead of staying home and enjoying their beautiful high-def TVs. O.K. he didn't say the last part but you can still feel his pain via his blog. Mr C. is concerned with the amount that studios/theaters spend on advertising verse how much tickets cost. It is definitely something that industry leaders are concerned about. Do you know that a studio might spend $12 bucks per person in ads and marketing to get you in the theater's seats? We all have spent a good amount on our home theaters, so what would get you out of your Berkline Theater Seats and away from your cheap bag of popcorn? Mark Cuban wants to know and is willing to pay you good money if it works.[via DVguru]
Dan Rather leaving CBS for HDNet?
Could happen, according to the New York Times. Dan Rather has been frustrated by his role on 60 Minutes as of late and is looking to leave CBS soon, enter our deep-pocketed friend Mark Cuban. He is apparently offering Rather his own hour long news show on HDNet, and the opportunity to be the first big name in high definition news. For his part, Rather says he hopes to take advantage of it. News programming in high-def has been very slow to roll out and such a big name jumping in could provide some needed attention to get the ball rolling. [Via Digital TV Facts]
Less than 1 percent of TV ads are in high-def
The reasons why are covered pretty well in this Mediaweek article. They speak to a bunch of advertising executives and receive great responses that indicate who gets it and who doesn't. Many, if not most of us use DVRs and when you see the picture switch to SD, you know its time to hit fast forward or pause. A couple of the executives quoted acknowledge that fact, and that an SD advertisement is basically telling the customer not to watch. HDNet founder and HD Beat friend Mark Cuban breaks it down nicely "Agency employees don't have HD at home. Where you find agencies with HDTV penetration, they push for HD. Where not, not." Additionally, producing in HD only drives up costs $10,000, which is a relatively small amount.As evidence of someone who probably doesn't have an HDTV at home, Peter Gardiner thinks watchers aren't sitting around waiting for high-def ads. Does anyone have his email address? There are comments on a few posts he may want to read.
HD-DVD titles on the way from Magnolia
Magnolia Home Entertainment, the distribution side of our good friend Mark Cuban's 2929 Entertainment, has announced they will be releasing five HD-DVDs in May. Bubble, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, The War Within and the TV series Bikini Destinations and HDNet World Report Special: Shuttle Discovery’s Historic Mission.Reuters pegs the prices for the three movies at $29.98 and the two TV sets at $26.98. No specific release dates yet although it is good to see more content announced. If my math is correct, that should give us 25 movies on the shelves by the end of May, hopefully enough to keep early adopters busy as the Blu-ray launch approaches.
NASA and HDNet team up to broadcast shuttle launches in HD
NASA and Mark Cuban have hooked up to make sure every shuttle launch and landing at Kennedy Space Center is filmed and broadcast in high definition through 2010. The press release doesn't mention if this is an exclusive agreement or not, but they will also be distributing the HD feed to other networks so whenever you do start getting your news in high definition (if you don't already), your shuttle clips should be that way also.Shuttle launches are still a pretty cool event to watch, and its only logical they'd be best to watch in high definition, finally we'll have some footage beyond whatever IMAX movies are on this week.
