CnnHd
Latest
CNN preparing new HD-ready studio for daytime programming
Hopefully the remnants of SD programming in CNN's daytime lineup haven't been too distressing, but now you can go back to merely being freaked out by whatever fear mongering headline is hot today when the network goes HD 24/7 in the next few months. Multichannel News mentions a new studio in Atlanta is located two floors above the current home of CNN Newsroom and other daytime talking head shows, upping the size from 1,500 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft and, of course, ready for HD. With field production trucks already HDTV-prepped only affiliate footage can potentially interrupt our 1080i bliss, but honestly, we're just waiting for the return of the holograms.
CNN adds live debate feedback for widescreen HD viewers
Deciding which channel to catch the Vice Presidential Debate on tonight? Wall Street Journal's The Numbers Guy points out that CNN's HD feed includes live analyst scorecards on the side of the screen (not included in the SD broadcast). Of course, with somewhat loose interpretations of how or when to score the debates, and a lack of explanation to viewers on what the scores the executive producer admitted there's room for improvement, but it may be worth checking out tonight and during future debates. Flip between six different VP debate HD feeds, or catch Magic's Biggest Secrets on My Network TV? Decision '08 indeed.
Bright House snags Big Ten Network, ESPNU HD and CNN HD
Bright House Networks subscribers in Michigan already noticed Big Ten Network on the EPG, but now the carrier has fessed up and confirmed that it will soon be landing in other markets. Additionally, ESPNU HD and CNN HD will be coming along for the ride, though there's no indication of when. Thanks, BHN -- we'll just twiddle our thumbs and hope they show up.[Thanks, Jamie]
DISH Network rolls out 22 new HD channels
If you still believe that the fate of AMC-14 was going to get in the way of DISH Network rolling out new HD channels, you have to give up on that one because last night DISH announced the addition of 22 new HD channels including some that only its biggest competitor, DirecTV currently carries. Of the 22 channels, most are stretch-o-vision, but at least hold promise and a few have popped up recently unannounced. The biggest win is for news and movie fans as CNN HD, CNBC HD, ESPNews HD and a few movie channels top the list. The full list after the jump.[Thanks, Scott]
DISH Network adds CNN HD to national HD lineup
Hey you -- yeah, you. The one complaining about DISH Network using its remaining bandwidth to roll out HD locals instead of serving up new national channels. Looks like someone up above was taking notice, as DISH Network has indeed gone live with CNN HD. Flip on the tele and see what you've been missing.[Thanks, Alan]
CNN HD heads north to Canada on Rogers
Canadians, rejoice! Effectively immediately, Rogers cable customers in Ontario can tune into CNN HD on channel 545. 'Course, only certain shows such as American Morning, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Anderson Cooper 360 and In The Money are actually shot in high-definition, but hey, you'll take what you can get, eh? Sadly, there's no word on if / when the station will bleed out to other locales and carriers in Canada, but if you manage to spot it on your lineup (and you're not already situated in Ontario), be sure to drop us a line in comments.
Comcast gives Twin Cities 11 new HD options
It is the season to give, you know, and while we've heard that Comcast will be on the receiving end of things when it hikes rates in 2008, at least users across the nation are receiving a boost in their HD lineup before having the family over this holiday season. Up next on Comcast's list is St. Paul / Minneapolis, Minnesota (and western Wisconsin), which is receiving 11 new channels to complement the 22 already available. Among the newcomers are CNN HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, Food HD, Sci-Fi HD, TLC HD, Universal HD, USA HD, TBS HD, History HD and FSN North HD. Reportedly, customers in the area are already able to view USA, Sci-Fi, Universal and Food, and the rest of the gang is slated to go live on or before December 17th.[Thanks, Ed]
Cablevision expands HD lineup with CNN HD
Hot on the heels of Charter's decision to add The Weather Channel HD, Cablevision is claiming that its users will be able to check out CNN in high-definition. Reportedly, CNN HD will be the operator's 42nd HD "service" available to customers, and it's being made available to everyone gratis on iO TV channel 725. John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice president of product management, boasted that the firm's HD lineup has "nearly doubled in size over the last year," but unfortunately, he didn't throw out any wild claims for the future for us to hold 'em to.
Cox inks deal to get CNN HD and TBS HD
While some of us have been enjoying the MLB postseason in HD on TBS HD, those relying on Cox Communications have been out of luck. Thankfully, all that is changing, as Cox and Turner Networks "announced an agreement today that will allow Cox to offer TBS in HD and CNN HD in Cox markets." Interestingly, an actual go-live date wasn't noted, so for those out there paying for HD from Cox, fire up your set and see if either channel is already available.
Time Warner Cable's new HD channels in October
Some providers can't stop talking about when they'll add new HD channels, while others would rather keep things under wraps 'till the new programming goes live. While both strategies have their advantages, not communicating with your customers is usually not a good idea. It appears now that TWC has quite a few plans for HD expansion in October, as customers in at least one market can expect to see many of the same channels DirecTV has been touting including, TBS HD, The History Channel HD, CNN HD, Lifetime Movies HD, and Food Network HD. While TBS HD is expected to go live in time for the MLB playoffs on October 1st, the rest are expected on October 15th. We can only assume that TWC and Bright House Networks customers all over the country will see these channels around the same time, but without a specific announcement, your guess is as good as ours.
CNN HD is ready whenever DirecTV is
CNN HD launched today, but there's no one to notice, since the only carriage agreement in place is with DirecTV and since their newest bird DirecTV 10 won't be operational till later this month, they aren't ready for them. HD news is the latest rage, and CNN HD will be the first national 24 hour news channel presented in HD. And like other HD news, it will be a mix of SD and HD. Our favorite quote is, "We're not going to stretch our video." when asked how they would deal with 4:3 shots from their library clips and the newsgathering. The worst news is that they haven't upgraded their studio in Atlanta yet, so shows like The Situation Room with anchor Wolf Blitzernot won't be in HD. They are working to make it all HD by upgrading studios and the newsgathering cameras, but as we've learned, these things take time. The other thing that takes time are carriage agreements, which they say are also in progress. We've stopped trying to make sense of these negotiations, especially when you consider that Time Warner Cable and CNN HD are owned by the same company, yet CNN HD will debut on DirecTV. [Via DBSTalk]
