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Fox & Time Warner Cable cut a deal, Turkish missiles to be removed
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Fox_Time_Warner_cut_a_deal_Turkish_missiles_to_be_removed'; We can finally stand down from our posts. After extended negotiations, Fox has made a deal with Time Warner Cable that will keep its programming on there and Bright House Networks. No word on any details, but we assume the ultra contentious websites will soon disappear as détente is the new word of the day. Check the PR after the break for the (lack of) further details - we're sure to find out how much cash Fox got by how much cable bills go up in the next few months.
Poll: Will Fox actually pull the plug on New Years day?
We've seen a number of carriage disputes in the past few years but none as interesting as this. With only hours to go until midnight and 2010, Timer Warner Cable and Bright House Network customers around the country have no idea if they'll be able to watch some of the biggest College Football Bowl Games tomorrow. This is not like other disputes as none have meant that programming as popular as College Football would be withheld. The other interesting thing going on is that local broadcasters are getting serious about charging for its signal. Fox is refusing to let the issue go to arbitration or to any interim carriage agreements so it appears TWC is going to have to make a hard decision tonight. We have to say we'd be shocked if Time Warner Cable didn't cave at the last minute, but crazier things have happened and if we were one of those subscribing to cable in New York, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Dallas and Austin; we'd probably play it safe and test out our antenna today. %Poll-39395%
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 - More high-definition channels roll out (Great Falls, Montana) Read - ATMC Launches CNN HD (North Carolina) Read - Cable high-def on hold at WKTV (Utica, NY) Read - Comcast customers to see up to 64 new HD channels (Washington, Thanks, Tyler) Read - RCN Brings Digital Revolution to Lehigh Valley, PA Cable TV Customers in September; Providing 100 High Definition (HD) Channels to Customers Read - AT&T U-verse TV Adds ShortsHD and New International Channels Read - More HD Coming For Puerto Rico Read - Comcast Expanding HD in Bay Area Comcast adding History, CNN, USA, Discovery, Animal Planet, AMC in New Jersey (Thanks, Margo) Comcast adding Biography HD, G4 HD, Lifetime HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, MTV HD, VH1 HD, Comedy Central HD, Spike HD, Nickelodeon HD, The Weather Channel HD, IFC HD, WE-HD, FUSE HD, Planet Green HD, TVOne HD, and Style HD in Connecticut September 1 (Thanks, Michael) Read - Bright House Networks in Michigan adds 10 HD channels (Thanks, Kyle)
Cable companies miss tru2way deadline, insist it's no big deal
Remember that tru2way-related Memorandum of Understanding that was all the rage about this time last year? It appears the 6 cable companies haven't lived up to at least one part of their agreement, collectively missing the deadline of July 1 to have 100% of their digital cable headends compatible. No word on how close they got, but Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House still insist it's "not that far off" though we don't see how missing important milestones is helping move the technology forwards.
Verizon, Bright House Networks providing gratis coverage of HBO's inaugural coverage
Neither Verizon nor Bright House Networks can provide those oh-so-snazzy interactive mix channels like DirecTV and DISH Network can, but what they -- along with a few other providers, most likely -- can do is provide free access to HBO for a day. This Sunday (that's tomorrow for the continental US, the day after tomorrow for Point Hope, AK, Kihei, HI and surrounding areas), FiOS TV and BHN digital TV subscribers will all be given a fee-free look at HBO's exclusive live broadcast of the "We Are One: The Obama Inauguration Celebration" concert from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Better still, both carriers are providing HD feeds for those looking for the best in clarity (read: you), and those scouting the full lineup of artists and speakers can find just that in the links below. Trust us, this is like a hundred million times better than trying to get within 50 miles of The District this weekend.Read - Verizon announcementRead - Bright House Networks announcementRead - Time Warner Cable announcementUpdate: Turns out, HBO's letting anyone with a STB tune in gratis. Classy move.
Most markets will be tru2way ready by July 1st
Although you wouldn't know it from the big press events at CES, tru2way is still on track for mass deployment and July 1st is the big day. The six biggest MSOs, signed on to that date some time ago -- it should be noted that Verizon still hates the idea -- and both Time Warner Cable and Comcast are proud to re-iterate that it's actually going to happen. Ten of TWC's 22 divisions have already deployed tru2way boxes -- no 3rd party device support yet -- which is about half of its customers. Comcast has already started supporting 3rd party tru2way boxes in Chicago and Denver back in October and also expects to have every market ready by July. The MSOs also agreed -- in the same Memorandum of Understanding -- that by July, 20% of its own new boxes would be using tru2way as well. So while it appears the MSOs will be ready for tru2way in 2009, based on the announcements at CES, we'll all have to wait until 2010 before we really see the TV manufacturers fulfill their end of the deal.
American Cable Association calls out Viacom's annoying crawl
We're not sure how this demand will be received, but the American Cable Association's argument is simple: if only Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subs are in danger of losing MTV Networks channels at the stroke of midnight, why are we all bothered with an annoying crawl message? Of course, that plea is couched by statements backing TWC and BHN's reluctance to agree to new higher programming fees, but those of us eagerly anticipating a Miley-Sized surprise during tonight's NYE celebration that have a different provider could do without the interruptions.
Bright House Networks to host up MLB Network HD in Tampa Bay
We get the feeling that we'll see quite a few carriers proudly announcing carriage deals with MLB Network during the run-up to its launch (January 1, 2009), and Bright House Networks is getting us started by promising its Tampa Bay, Florida customers the channel come the new year. Starting in 2009, MLB Network will be available in SD on digital cable channel 159 and in HD on slot 744, and Joe Durkin, senior director corporate communications at the carrier, has confirmed that it will be added at no extra charge. For those unaware, the channel will carry "live games, original programming, highlights, classic games and coverage of baseball events," and its signature show -- MLB Tonight -- is obviously aiming to take viewers away from Karl Ravech, John Kruk and the rest of the gang at ESPN's 'Baseball Tonight.'
BHN gives free premiums for Florida outage, adds 4 new HD nets early
We can't possibly overstate the awesomeness of competition, and it's readily apparent in this here scenario. After many Central Florida-based Bright House Networks customers were left without TV service for around eight hours earlier this month, the outfit made known that small refunds would be given. Now, it's stepping the apology up another notch by promising a free month of Showtime HD, The Movie Channel, Showtime on Demand and TMC on Demand. Additionally, it's adding in those four high-def stations -- SciFi HD (1369), FX HD (1370), Travel HD (1365) and USA HD (1399) -- a few days early, giving you four more to enjoy over the Christmas holiday. Thanks, AT&T.[Thanks, Rob]
BHN brings four new HD stations to Tampa Bay, Florida
Well, what do you know? Two of the four HD newcomers that landed in Indy earlier today have appeared down in Tampa Bay, Florida. According to an ecstatic local, Golf HD (739), USA HD (740), Bravo HD (742) and SciFi HD (741) have all appeared in the Tampa / St. Petersburg area, keeping it somewhat in line with its Orlando-area lineup. Happy surfing![Thanks, Kaylan]
Indianapolis, Indiana gets four HD channels courtesy of BHN
Indianapolis! How's it? If you call yourself a Bright House Networks customer, it's about to get a lot better. According to a local who was surfing aimlessly in the EPG today, USA HD (739), Travel HD (748), SciFi HD (768) and FX HD (771) are all available, and we'd wager that's no accident. Flip 'er on and enjoy your new material, Indy.[Thanks, Rob]
Bright House Networks throws FX HD to Michigan subscribers
There's hardly anything more awesome than a belated gift that your weren't even expecting, and that's exactly what has been given to Bright House Networks customers in Michigan. Just days after receiving Biography HD, Golf HD, Versus HD and Hallmark Movie Channel HD, the carrier has added FX HD to the mix on slot 267. Any other stragglers out there you can tell us about, BHN?[Thanks, Dean]
Bright House Networks adding four (good) HD channels in Florida
So, there's great news, and then some not so great news. We'll start you off with the former. Bright House Networks has decided to add SciFi HD (1369), Travel HD (1365), USA HD (1399) and FX HD (1370) to the Central Florida lineup, bringing the total in the area to 40 HD channels. The rub? They won't debut until December 29th, and we all know you'll be focused entirely on college football's bowl bonanza during that time. Still, for non-sports fanatics, there's hardly a better foursome to ask for.[Thanks, Russ]
Bright House gives refunds for 8-hour service outage in Florida
With all the price hikes and complaints about quality, it's not often that you find a story tied to a cable company that's positive. And in fairness, it's totally not positive that Bright House Networks' subscribers in Florida had to deal with an eight hour TV outage starting at around 3:00PM Monday, but just bear with us. In an effort to express its "sincerest apologies," the carrier has decided to automatically issue credits to affected customers. Sure, the refund won't be huge, but it's a sentiment that's rare and much appreciated in today's cutthroat business world. The outage was unlike any other outside of times in which a hurricane had struck, and a corrupt database used to deliver programming to cable boxes was blamed for the incident. We know, you're still upset that you missed the series finale of Boston Legal and / or the trouncing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but hopefully a few pennies back on your next bill will make things easier to get over.
Bright House Networks gifts Michigan subscribers with more HD
The weather isn't enviable in Michigan right now, but the HD lineup on Bright House Networks certainly is. According to new information on the carrier's website, locals can now tune to Biography HD (249), Golf HD (233), Versus HD (274) and Hallmark Movie Channel HD (290; replaces MOJO HD). These changes come just weeks after BHN delivered a half dozen others, so we suspect customers in the state are already salivating at the thought of getting more just a few months from now.[Thanks, Dean]
BHN drops Fort Wayne NBC / ABC affiliates in Grant County, promises more HD
We certainly hope you Grant County residents in Indiana enjoy the Indianapolis anchors, because after this year, that's all you'll be seeing from Bright House Networks. Currently, this sector of the world is in a rare scenario, as its local cable carrier offers locals from both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Sadly, the Fort Wayne NBC (WISE-TV) / ABC (WPTA-TV) affiliates will be done away with after December 31st, and BHN's president of Indiana operations says the decision was based on how skewed the ratings were in the direction of Indy's locals. Not all is doom and gloom, however, as the MLB Network will join HD versions of The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, USA, FX and SciFi in the Grant County EPG next month. Six steps forward, two steps back? Deal.
Yule Log, new holiday films come to HD VOD on Comcast, Cox and TWC
Ah, is it that time of year again already? Seems like just yesterday that we were kicking back in our sofa, wondering how the New Year would treat HD DVD and sipping a hot cocoa while enjoying the faux warmth of an HD Yule Log. This year, iN DEMAND's high-def version of the famed Christmas classic will be coming to HD VOD systems on Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. In addition, iN DEMAND has created two other holiday offerings for viewers to enjoy in Winter Green and Snowman, both of which were filmed with HD cameras and are to be presented in 1080i with 5.1-channel audio. The fun begins nationwide on December 8th; full release is after the break.[Image courtesy of ByrdHouse]
LIN TV and Time Warner Cable strike a retransmission deal
This is one of those rare cases where the headline tells all: TWC and LIN TV have finally agreed to put their differences aside and strike a retransmission deal. In other words, those 17 LIN TV-owned local stations that have been dark for the past few weeks should be back online at any moment. LIN TV's President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent L. Sadusky was quoted as saying that it was "pleased to have reached a fair market agreement with Time Warner Cable," and he continued by calling the deal "a mutually acceptable economic agreement." While we can't imagine he said that with a straight face, we're just glad you folks won't have to rely on any more EPG trickery to watch the (possible) final game of the World Series tonight. Or tomorrow. Or whenever Philadelphia decides to stop acting like Siberia.[Image courtesy of Britannica, thanks Dayton Guy and Brian]
Bright House bigwig acknowledges complaints about Mystro Digital Navigator
Finally, someone inside sees the light. According to quotes from a recent interview with Craig Saari, Bright House's senior director of engineering, he realizes that the Mystro Digital Navigator is patently awful, though he doesn't really have a good reason why Passport was ditched in favor of something that is almost universally despised. After the aforesaid software was rolled out en masse last week in Central Florida, hordes of customers are yelping that more functionality has been lost than gained, and even Saari confessed that the Mystro is much slower to respond to remote inputs. All that being true, the question beckons: "Why?" Why on Earth are providers like BHN and Time Warner Cable switching out the antiquated (but perfectly usable) Passport application for something that's entirely worse? We suppose we'll never know the truth, but at least BHN customers have someone, somewhere working to make things better. Or so they say.Update: So it's possible the new software was implemented for tru2way support. Makes sense, but it doesn't ease the pain of suckage.
New Bright House DVR software rolling out en masse to Central Floridians
A select few Bright House Networks subscribers in Central Florida have already been blessed (if you want to call it that) with the carrier's new "Digital Navigator" DVR software, and for better or worse, it's coming to even more of you soon. BHN has put out an announcement to notify customers in the region that the rollout should hit everyone by the end of this month, and while it claims the new look will make it "easier to find programs, give parents more parental control options and allow Digital Phone customers to have Caller ID displayed on their TV," we know all too well how these refreshes can end up in reality. Unfortunately, we have a feeling most of you won't be enjoying the change.
