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Cablevision and Charter gear up for DOCSIS 3.0 rollouts
Comcast nabbed the first US DOCSIS 3.0 deployment award by pushing the technology out to select Minnesota residents in April, but both Charter and Cablevision are making sure to not fall too far behind. During its most recent quarter earnings call, Cablevision COO Tom Rutledge noted that DOCSIS 3.0 would be "operational this year," with around 20% of its footprint going live in 2008 and 100% to be covered by mid-2010. Charter is also poised to introduce the lightning fast broadband capabilities to its loyal customers, with CEO Neil Smit affirming that it would be launched in at least some markets "later in the year." We'd like to think this means we can all look forward to 100Mbit/sec cable internet in the not-too-distant future, but who knows how long it'll take those other MSO's to join the bandwagon.[VIA DSLReports]Read - Cablevision DOCSIS 3.0 rolloutRead - Charter DOCSIS 3.0 rollout
Cablevision, common sense win network DVR appeal
The process took over a year, but it looks like common sense prevailed in Cablevision's appeal of its network-DVR copyright infringement case. You might remember that Cablevision had planned to roll out "remote-storage" DVRs a couple years ago that would play programs off Cablevision servers instead of storing shows locally, but shelved the plan when the networks sued over the concept, claiming that separating content storage from playback would essentially constitute rebroadcast and infringe on their copyrights. The networks won the first round, but it seems like the technical distinction between local and remote storage wasn't enough to convince the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that Cablevision was "broadcasting" anything -- the court just lifted the injunction barring Cablevision from supplying remote DVRs to its customers. We're still big fans of managing our own content locally, but this is definitely a win for the consumer, as it'll mean cheaper equipment costs and hopefully a larger selection of media available on demand -- too bad we're also betting that the networks will try and appeal this one to the Supreme Court.
Verizon harshes on Cablevision for keeping MSG HD close to the chest
Despite the fact that DirecTV has somehow managed to wrestle MSG HD away from the grasp of Cablevision (the station's owner), most other carriers aren't having as much luck. A recent post by Verizon's Eric Rabe slams Cablevision for its refusal to cooperate with the Cable Act's program access rules in high-definition, noting that it has resorted to going back to the FCC in an attempt to force things forward. Rabe even calls Verizon out, noting that "it's pretty obvious that Cablevision is trying to circumvent the FCC's program access rules by denying Verizon MSG in HD." We don't doubt that there are two sides (one of which is being hidden here) to this story, but in theory, we have to agree that we wish MSG HD was available for more providers. So yeah, go get 'em Verizon -- just don't get too cocky.[Thanks, Tim]
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.
Cablevision to introduce 15 new HD channels
Let's face it: particularly in the Empire State, Cablevision simply has to elevate its game. With DirecTV and DISH Network offering a multitude of high-def options and Time Warner Cable dishing out a slew of its own, Cablevision has been properly left in the dust. Now, however, the carrier is deciding to do something about it by adding 15 new high-definition channels to its lineup. As of now, we know that Nickelodeon HD, AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, WEtv HD, Weather Channel HD, FX HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, FOX News HD and Travel Channel HD will be added, but the rest of the gang remains a mystery. Don't sweat it, though -- select subscribers will see the entire lot as early as July 28th, while the entire service area will be good to go by August 1st.[Thanks, Tom]
Cablevision adds Versus / Golf Channel content to VOD lineup
Outside of the Planet Green HD addition, Cablevision subscribers haven't had a whole lot to applaud over recently. For fans of Golf / Versus, however, we reckon you all can stop moping around and point your remote to an all new video-on-demand outlet. Starting this week, the carrier will begin offering its iO TV digital cable customers free access to VOD content from Versus and Golf Channel, but sadly, none of it will be shown in high-definition. Maybe one day...
Cablevision's got Planet Green too
How do you add a new HD channel without adding a new channel? Simple, if you're Cablevision in New York. Just wait for Discovery to switch Discovery Home Channel to the new eco-focused Planet Green HD and new channel here we come. Either way, Time Warner customers aren't the only ones having all the green fun (if being a TWC customer can be called fun where you are) check channel 172 and the video on demand section for all the new programming.
Fuse HD VOD channel coming to Comcast
Fuse is coming to Comcast subscribers via an HD video-on-demand offering starting in July, with original series, interviews and music videos. The Cablevision-owned network's all-high definition content goes live to approximately 7 million digital cable customers, with Comcast the first provider signing up for the service. We don't know how USA TODAY's content will tie into it, but there's a few more HD choices in the bin for you.
Cablevision's Rainbow Media snaps up Sundance Channel for $496 million
Don't peek -- which would you think is cheaper? A fiber-to-the-premises network touching 36,000 residents and businesses, or a 12-year old television channel? If you guessed the latter, you'd be badly mistaken. While iProvo was sold for a mere $40.6 million, Rainbow Media, the cable programming subsidiary of Cablevision, had to cough up nearly half a billion dollars ($496 million, to be precise) in order to claim the Sundance Channel as its own. Yes, the Sundance Channel. Richard Greenfield, an analyst with Pali Research, seems to think that Cablevision may try to combine its newest acquisition with Independent Film Channel, which just so happens to have a high-def counterpart. Of course, it's hard to say what will happen with it so soon after the buy, but if the sale ends up creating another (or more widespread) HD channel, we're all for it.
Cablevision joins the wireless party, plans to cover NYC with WiFi
Comcast, Time Warner, and Bright House all threw down in the new Sprint-led Clearwire venture yesterday, but it looks like Cablevision wants in on the fun as well: the company announced today that it's spending $350M on a new wireless broadband network in New York. Unlike the Clearwire partnership, Cablevision is apparently going to use straight-up WiFi for the service, but it's not revealing any details at the moment, saying only that it'll run at 1.5Mbps and eventually handle voice as well. The plan is to get up and running in NYC within two years, and existing customers will be able to log on for free -- and if this really is straight-up WiFi, we'd bet a lot of other people will be joining the fun as well.
Bermuda's CableVision adds CNN HD and NFL Network HD
One may assume that Bermuda residents / visitors wouldn't even care to spend a spare moment inside watching the tube when the weather outside is so lovely. Said person obviously hasn't heard of Thursday night football on the NFL Network. Starting this month, Bermuda's CableVision has tossed in two new HD networks -- CNN HD (400) and NFL Network HD (407) -- which brings the grand total on the carrier to ten. It also noted that the HD surcharge will remain the same at $12 per month. If you haven't found a way to blow that incoming stimulus check (and you've got a thing for travel), um, here's your sign.
Hallmark Movie Channel HD could hit Cablevision
Since launching in Q1 2008, Hallmark Movie Channel HD has found its way onto Time Warner Cable and DirecTV, and now it has discovered yet another home: Cablevision. A recently announced agreement between the carrier and Crown Media Holdings will give it the "right to distribute both the standard-definition and high-definition versions of Hallmark Movie Channel," though it's not specifically stated if it will choose to carry the HD variant. Sure, it's not the most thrilling possibility, but one additional high-def option is better than none, we suppose.
Cablevision / Optimum coaxing CableCARD users back to HD STB
It seems The Man is still trying to hold CableCARD users down, as just a month after Bright House and Time Warner users in various locales were forced to either revert to a carrier-issued HD STB or lose out on a few HD channels, along comes Cablevision trying to do the same. This time, however, Cablevision / Optimum actually had the nerve to print up flyers and mail 'em out to CableCARD users informing them that they'll need to switch to the box they (likely) intentionally snubbed to begin with in order to catch the high-def action on the Voom HD family. Worse still, it tries to coax said users into ditching their card by offering an HD cable box gratis for a full year. Needless to say, SDV support for CableCARD can't come quickly enough. %Gallery-18706% [Thanks, Ramon]
Cablevision moving Voom HD package to switched digital only
Cablevision is making the move to switched digital video, with its 15 Voom HD channels going SDV-only in April and May. Of course this means that CableCARD users won't be able to get them any more. There were around 14,000 such devices on Cablevision as of last December, most notably Tivos, so the company is offering a free HD set-top for a year. While not the most elegant of solutions, it should at least tide people over until the tuning resolver that fixes this gets sorted out. Of course, maybe the Voom HD channels aren't important to every viewer, but others will inevitably follow and the offer is set to expire June 30. Such is life on the way to 500 HD channels, we suppose.
SNY to deliver every New York Mets game in HD
While we heard that all 144 Blue Jays games would be aired in glorious high-definition on one channel or another, SNY has just announced that it "will produce every New York Mets regular season game -- in 2008 and beyond -- in high-definition." Previously, SNY had delivered just the home games in HD, but now you won't be forced to rack up those airline miles in order to catch your beloved Mets in something more than SD. The fun gets started when the home team travels down to Florida to take on the Marlins at 4:00PM on March 31st. Of course, you still may want to catch a game at the upcoming Citi Field every now and then -- we can only imagine how 12,000 square feet of HD signage will look in person.[Thanks, Tom D.]
New Gallery HD series teaches you to paint like the masters
Tired of spending way too much loot on art classes? If so, it's time to make good use of Gallery HD (part of the VOOM HD collection), as it's gearing up to air an all new series that aims to teach aspiring painters "how to emulate the style of the world's greatest artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and many others." The Forger's Masterclass series is scheduled to include ten half-hour episodes starting on March 3rd, and will be hosted by John Myatt, whose "stunning forgeries of Matisse, Chagall and Klee notoriously fooled the art world in the 1990s." If you're already anxious to grab your brush, make sure you're tuned into channel 9472 (DISH Network) or 714 (Cablevision) at 8:30PM just under a week from now. Oh, and lay down some plastic first -- things could get messy.
Cablevision adds over 100 Discovery titles to VOD lineup -- HD versions not included
Just a week after Cablevision announced that it would be offering up fresh new DVD releases through its VOD service, we're now hearing that fans of Discovery Channel will have even more reasons to stop by. Reportedly, the cable operator is adding some 100 titles from Discovery Communications to its free video-on-demand lineup, which will include the likes of Man Vs. Wild and Mythbusters along with TLC favorites Trading Spaces and LA Ink. Additionally, you can expect to receive instant gratification from Animal Planet programs such as Orangutan Island and Planet's Funniest Animals, and if that still wasn't enough, an unspecified amount of material from Discovery Kids, The Military Channel and The Travel Channel will also be made available via Discovery on Demand. So, Cablevision -- when exactly can we expect such lavish gifts in high-definition?[Via MultichannelNews]
Cablevision offering up new DVD releases through VOD
No sooner than Comcast announced that it would soon be offering up select films via HD VOD the same day they landed on DVD, Cablevision has come along and attempted to stay level. Unfortunately for it, the firm's Popcorn DVDs On Demand service, which is available to iO TV customers, looks to be SD only for now. Of course, it still enables subscribers to watch new releases on launch day from the comfort of their couch, but a twist is thrown in by forcing renters to have the film shipped to their door (on DVD) as well. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an option for only renting right now, so you'll be coughing up $19.95 (plus shipping) for any DVD / VOD purchase you choose to make. As it stands, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Kingdom, Eastern Promises and Sydney White are slated to kick things off, with American Gangster becoming available on February 19th.
Cablevision finally gets around to adding ESPN2 HD
We're not exactly sure how adding a 45th HD channel to the lineup will affect Cablevision's 44 Days in HD promotion, but we're pretty certain the subscribers who have been waiting ages for ESPN2 to finally go HD on their provider won't care. Yes, the poor, tortured Cablevision customers can finally look forward to catching the Deuce in high-definition, as today marks the first time it'll be broadcast as such to iO TV users. You've waited long enough, so without further ado, head on over to channel 735 (and feel free to be extra celebratory this weekend).
Cablevision launches 44 Days in HD promotion
Just recently, Cablevision added HD iterations of HGTV and Food Network, bringing its total high-definition channel amount to a fairly respectable 44. Apparently, just hitting that milestone isn't good enough, as the provider is now going to be trumpeting a different HD channel over the next 44 weekdays. The "44 Days in HD, on iO TV" promotion will reportedly "recognize a different high-definition channel available to the company's iO TV digital cable customers each weekday," presumably blasting customers with "daily press releases, banners on iO TV and the Optimum.net consumer web portal." The scheme is supposed to showcase Cablevision's ability to offer up a plethora of HD channels "without any of the extra fees and charges phone and satellite TV providers impose on customers," but honestly, it sounds more like hot air than anything.
