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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]
MTVNHD is live on Sky+ HD
You knew it was coming, but today's the day. MTV's international poster child -- MTVNHD -- has officially launched on slot 384 for Sky+ HD customers across the pond. Granted, you'll have to subscribe to the Music Pack in order to gain access, but that might be a bullet you simply have to swallow. And just think, it gives you one more reason to work out that sound system you just put together -- bonus score![Thanks, Martin]
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]
CC Communications brings HMC / History HD to Northwest Nevada
CC Communications isn't the biggest cable company we've ever seen (one of the smallest, actually), but even it knows that high-def is a must-have in today's competitive programming age. The carrier -- which serves the greater Fallon, Nevada area -- is bringing Hallmark Movie Channel HD and History HD to its OnNow! lineup, moving the grand total up to 39. Get your work week started right by catching these two on December 15th.
TWC plans new HD additions for Columbus, Ohio
Not that Columbus, Ohio is really lacking in the HD department, but given the intense competition for your pay-TV dollars there, it's no surprise to see Time Warner Cable planning another wave of additions. On or after December 28th, customers in the region will find Adult HD On Demand, CNBC HD, ESPNews HD, ESPNU HD, Bravo HD, Speed HD, Golf HD, USA HD, MLB Network HD, Toon Disney HD and SciFi HD. The carrier is also throwing in PBS Sprout and MLB Network on the SD side, and it's moving around a bunch of existing channels to new slots. For all the dirt, tap the read link.[Thanks, ESavage]
Cox to bestow new HD channels upon Northern Virginia
Aw, c'mon NoVa -- you should know that Cox Communications wouldn't leave you hangin'. After blessing the Hampton Roads area with 13 new HD channels a week ago, the carrier is now slated to bring quite a helping to residents of Northern Virginia. Starting tomorrow, locals should receive Hallmark Movie Channel HD (743), Planet Green HD (749), Weather Channel HD (752), AMC HD (753), WGN HD (754), FOX News HD (756), SPEED HD (757) and FX HD (758). Better still, another wave should be coming between now and February, and on it will ride FOX Business HD (755), Cartoon Network HD (759), WE HD (760), IFC HD (761), Comedy HD (762) and BET HD (763). Our tipster Ryan says the information came straight from the channel guide on 742, so you know it's the real deal.[Thanks, Ryan]
Virgin Media looks to beef up linear HD lineup
Virgin Media's in a pretty big hole compared to Sky on the HD front. As it stands, VM has a single linear high-def station (BBC HD), while Sky delivers 29. Pretty easy choice, right? Virgin Media's CEO Neil Berkett, in a presentation to the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, noted that it was looking to "level the linear content playing field versus Sky," and also mentioned a "plan to add linear high-definition channels." Unfortunately, he failed to elaborate on a quantity or time frame for delivery, but at least we know it's on the front burner. In fact, a company spokesperson added after the conference that it was "in ongoing discussion with a number of broadcasters with regard to new SD and HD channels and [that it was] currently evaluating HD plans for 2009." Here's hoping "evaluating" turns to "results" in the not-too-distant future.
Waco, Texas launches WCCC-TV government access HD channel
Here's an interesting one. The city of Waco, Texas has just launched its very own all-digital HD channel for government access use. WCCC-TV (Waco City Cable Channel) is thought to be the first of its kind in Texas, and it can currently be viewed on Grande channel 410. Since earlier this year, the staff at the station has been "creating all new programming and numerous short segments about Waco, its people and government all in 1080p HD." Of note, the HD channel was completely funded by two cable operators (TWC and Grande, we presume) and not a dime of city tax funds were required to pay for the new studios or equipment. Nice touch!
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]
Cox bringing 5 new HD stations to San Diego, California
Cox may have upset some San Diego residents by acting all proud of those 19 new HD VOD slots, but it's backing things up with five linear stations that are sure to juice up that holiday spirit. Starting on December 29th (far off, we know), subscribers in the region will find FOX News HD (737), FX HD (743), SPEED HD (756), Cartoon Network HD (750) and E! HD (749) in the program guide. If, for whatever reason, you're simply unsatisfied with those additions, Cox is promising that "more HD channels will be added soon." Good luck deciphering its definition of "soon."[Thanks, Gary]
Star Choice launches Big Ten Network HD December 16
Some would say it's too late for football, but with plenty of time left on college hockey & basketball schedules, the Big Ten Network is headed to Canada's Star Choice. The SD version should be available now, with the high definition feed scheduled to launch December 16. No word what package you'll need to get the channel full time, but a free preview is promised all this month on channel 265.
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]
The Sportsman Channel coming to DirecTV, HD not far behind?
In case the likes of RFD HD and World Fishing Network HD weren't enough to keep you planted in your overalls, The Sportsman Channel is gearing up to give DirecTV viewers some of that tasty outdoor goodness. The network has just recently inked a distribution deal that will see it added to the satcaster's CHOICE XTRA package in January 2009. Best of all, we're also hearing that TSC will be developing content in HD and will transition to a high-def channel in due time -- of course, there's no telling when that will happen, but if DirecTV is serious about maintain its clout in the HD quantity department, it'll be reeling it in just as soon as it's available.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]
Mediacom adds A&E, History and SciFi HD in Des Moines / Ames, IA
We're feeling for you Iowa -- it has been far, far too long since Mediacom gifted you folks with any new high-def content. Thankfully, something finally snapped into place, and now customers in the region have access to SciHD (839), A&E HD (847) and History HD (848). Our gracious tipster also notes that MOJO HD is still in the guide stinking up the place, but if we had to bet, we'd say another high-definition station should take its place soon.[Thanks, Brett]
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]
Comcast plans a trio for Northern Indiana / Southwest Michigan
While your pals would likely look at you funny if you told them this news after exclaiming "we're expecting!," we totally understand. Reportedly, Comcast is fixing to drop FOX News HD (265), FX HD (267) and SPEED HD (237) on its Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan markets on December 16th. If that combination sounds familiar, it's because it is -- Reston, VA and Pittsburgh, PA have also received the same trifecta. Go on, let all your geeky joy our in comments below.[Thanks, Grant]
Comcast Networks officially adds five new HD channels
Ah, ha! So this explains all that high-def adding going on in Comcast markets. While these five channels aren't exactly the same ones launched nationwide, the Comcast Networks website has officially declared E! HD, Versus HD, Golf HD, Style HD and G4 HD active. There's no way to know if these are coming to your market or not, but it sure looks all-encompassing from here.[Thanks, Peter]
Comcast adds USA HD, Discovery HD and SciFi HD in Pennsylvania / Delaware
While the residents of the Steel City just received a trio from Comcast, it looks like other markets in the state (as well as Delaware) are preparing to receive three others. Specifically, subscribers in the Philadelphia suburbs of Willow Grove / Montgomery and Bucks Counties, as well as New Castle, Delaware, will be seeing USA HD, SciFi HD and Discovery HD shortly, with potentially unfounded promises for lots more in the future. Don't worry about tomorrow, though -- just enjoy what you've been blessed with today. Full release is after the break.[Thanks, Margo]
Cox bringing Oklahoma a few new high-def channels
We have all ideas that the Sooner fanatics in Oklahoma are entirely too focused on making plans to attend the BCS National Championship game to bother with a few new HD channels from Cox, but we suppose this news will be relevant eventually. Based on a revamped high-definition lineup on the carrier's site, a number of new stations are on the horizon. A dedicated Versus HD (716) and AMC HD (795) will arrive today, while SPEED HD (728), FX HD (753), Cartoon Network HD (774) and FOX News HD (789) will land on December 31st; finally, Comedy Central HD is destined to "come soon." Go on, enjoy that well deserve spot against Florida -- but don't forget to check out your refreshed EPG while you're at it.[Thanks, Doc]
Comcast plans HD additions for Connecticut markets
Comcast has been on fire of late, adding in high-def stations in more markets than we care to count. The next dot on its warpath is Connecticut, and starting today, it's planning a whole heap of HD channels for a variety of areas. In Middletown, viewers will see CNN HD (196), SciFi HD (217) and AMC HD (222) added within the next 24 hours, while Bravo HD (243), CNBC HD (244), Hallmark Movie Channel HD (252), QVC HD (281), E! HD (284) and Cartoon Network HD (287) will land in Hartford on Wednesday. Plainville, Vernon, New Haven, Norwich and Old Lyme all have HD newcomers of their own to deal with soon, so hop on past the break for the full list.[Thanks, Erik]
