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Rush HD preps an SD channel for Canadian viewers
This one falls a bit outside our weekly expansion roundup, by virtue of being one of the few channels going in the other direction. AdrenalineHD just got approval to launch an SD version of Rush HD in Canada, so long as 95% of its content is the same. Far be it for us to question the laws and standards of the land of Terrence & Patrick, but we're completely taken aback by this one. We guess those former Voom channels have to do anything they can to avoid the fate of Monsters HD.
High Fidelity HDTV channel suite hits Rogers in Ontario
Ready or not, High Fidelity HDTV is now vying for your attention on Rogers Digital Cable in Ontario, Canada. The so-called HD Nature & Adventure Package will bring along Oasis HD, Treasure HD, Equator HD and Rush HD, all four of which are currently in "free preview" mode for customers with an HD set-top-box. Conveniently, there's no mention of what happens after the three month window of free viewing closes, but you can phone up Rogers to find out how much it'll cost you to keep looking.
High Fidelity HDTV nabs 20 IMAX originals
Canadian broadcaster High Fidelity HDTV has just acquired the exclusive rights to a number of IMAX originals, and it's not just keeping them for itself. A total of 20 IMAX films will begin airing in December on its suite of HD channels: Oasis HD, Equator HD, Treasure HD and Rush HD. Among the titles are The Secret Of Life On Earth, Fires Of Kuwait, Hail Columbia, The Nutcracker, T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous, Space Station, Into the Deep, Destiny in Space, China: The Panda Adventure, Blue Planet, Ozarks: Legacy and Legend, Heartland, L5: First City in Space, The Last Buffalo, Skyward, The Dream is Alive, Mission to Mir, Galapagos, Survival Island and Mountain Gorilla. Thank goodness it didn't have to ask the CRTC for permission to add 'em, though.
Voom goes HD VOD
We're still not sure how the Voom / DISH Network spat will end, but Voom is moving on, unveiling a companion HD VOD service for the Voom HD and Rush HD channels it distributes around the world. There's apparently no word on any operators actually signing on to the service yet, but once available viewers can expect just five hours of content per month. Hopefully that number can grow as the channels add more original content, but if it doesn't, we don't see too many people beating the door down asking for this on demand network to be added.
Drift Style racing series premieres on Rush HD tonight
Joining NASCAR, Indy, off road and Mustangs in this season's HD racing schedule is a brand new series focused on drift racing. Rush HD premieres Drift Style tonight at 8:30 p.m. on the Voom HD network. If you're (still) not familiar with the sport, its a competition mixing speed with style as drivers take their heavily customized street cars around the track. We're glad to see more new original content on Voom, for more info on this weekly series check the full PR after the break.
Voom's Rush HD launches in UK on Sky
Sure, securing Voom Networks' Rush HD may not be quite as exhilarating as snagging NASN, but we're betting that those in the UK on Sky will take any additional high-def they can get. As of today, the extreme sports channels is now available on EPG slot 452 to Sky HD subscribers, which brings the grand total on the carrier to 17. The launch marks the international debut of the network, and while a company spokesperson noted that there were no current plans to bring any other Voom channels to the UK, users may see Rush content made available on the 1080i Sky Anytime video-on-demand portal.
RUSH HD delivering HD documentary on downhill skiing
Nah, RUSH HD's forthcoming documentary won't be the first high-definition program dedicated to taking a look at downhill skiing, but what better way to get you all jazzed up about the onset of winter than a fresh look at "the original extreme sport?" Okay, so maybe the Yule Log in HD takes the cake, but we're still slotting this in for second. Scheduled to air this Saturday night at 10:30PM EST (7:30PM PT; 9:30PM C), The Thin Line: Life on the Edge takes a look at what has fueled the sport over the years and includes interviews with some of its most notable figureheads. Additionally, there looks to be quite a few nasty spills crammed into the 90-minute feature, and if you're desperate for a taste a few days early, click on through for a look at the trailer.[Thanks, Erik M.]
