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Cox adds six more HD channels to Kansas lineup
Although Topeka's CBS affiliate is about to be dropped by Cox Communications if it doesn't decide to pay up by midnight, the cable carrier is apparently trying to make up for said inconvenience by tossing in six new HD channels in the Kansas market. Exactly two months after these very folks were gifted with HGTV HD and Food Network HD -- and under three months after receiving CNN HD, TBS HD, Discovery HD and TLC HD -- along comes word that a half dozen newcomers have just stepped in. More specifically, a user report shows Travel Channel HD, Animal Planet HD, Science Channel HD, Versus / Golf HD, Cinemax HD, and NFL Network HD all showing up in the EPG and being available for viewing. We know, it would sting to lose CBS, but you folks definitely can't say you're starving for high-def.[Thanks, Cory T.]
Topeka, Kansas' CBS affiliate about to be dropped by Cox
As enthralled as we are to see new HD channels arrive in varying parts of the world, it's equally depressing to hear when any vanish. Nevertheless, we're looking at yet another classic battle between station and carrier in Topeka, Kansas, as the region's CBS affiliate (WIBW-TV) is threatening to remove its analog and digital HD signals from Cox unless it ponies up in a hurry. Needless to say, WIBW feels that it's not being compensated fairly from Cox for its retransmission of signals, and unless the two parties strike a deal before midnight on Friday, citizens in the area will have to bust out the antenna (or switch to satellite) to catch the looming March Madness. So, what exactly is WIBW asking for? A penny a day for each Cox subscriber.
Cox Arizona adding seven HD channels in March
Look out, desert dwellers, as Cox Communications is all set to dish out seven new HD channels to Arizona residents next month. On deck is TBS HD, Discovery Channel HD, Science Channel HD, Food Network HD, Animal Planet HD, Golf / Versus HD and History Channel HD. As of now, we've no idea where these will fit into the EPG, but you can phone up Cox and start to gripe if the whole lot doesn't arrive on March 18th.[Thanks, Ian Z.]
Cox adds ten new HD channels in Hampton Roads / Virginia Beach
Well, would you look at that. Nary 48 hours after we heard that Cox Communications was getting set to upgrade its fiber optic network in the Hampton, Virginia area, subscribers in said region are already reaping the benefits. Reportedly, Cox has dished out not one, not two, but ten new high-def options to customers in Hampton Roads / Virginia Beach. Wondering what those newcomers are? Try The CW HD, CNN HD, NHL Network HD, TLC HD, Versus / Golf HD, Animal Plant HD, Science Channel HD, Travel Channel HD, Food Network HD and yes, NFL Network HD as well. Talk about a solid way to start the weekend.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Cox adds nine HD channels in Lafayette, Louisiana -- for a price
Considering that Charter provides 44 HD options to its Louisiana subscribers, it was about time that Cox Communications did something to make its lineup look even close to comparable. Thankfully, the cable carrier has finally saw fit to add in nine (unnamed) high-def channels to its Lafayette lineup, and better still, subscribers will also see a boost in internet speeds. The move brings Cox's total HD count in the area to 33, but alas, it won't come free. Oh no, customers can expect programming packages (save for basic cable) to cost around $2 to $3 more per month for the boost in service after April 1st, but there's always satellite if you feel the value's just not there.
Cox upgrading fiber optic network in Hampton, Virginia
In an apparent attempt to fend off competition from Verizon, Cox Communications has just announced its intentions to upgrade the fiber optic network in and around the Hampton, Virginia area. If you'll recall, the company already upgraded its network in Newport News and began deploying switched digital video in certain locales, but this latest initiative will reportedly provide "additional capacity to expand its digital television programming" and boost internet speeds in Hampton. For subscribers that may see brief outages as the work takes place, you'll reportedly be notified two days prior -- you know, so you can mentally prepare for living sans cable for a few moments that afternoon.
Cox vows to keep analog signals around for three years after cutover
We already heard that the FCC was giving broadcasters a bit more flexibility with the 2009 digital TV switchover, and apparently, Cox Communications is taking full advantage of its rights. According to the cable company's own website, it will be keeping analog signals around for three full years after US television stations switch over to digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009. More specifically, the firm states that it "recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs [after the cutover date]," thus it has promised to continue offering "analog broadcast signals for at least three years after the deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable." And if you were curious, Cox also proclaims that said signal will be "down-converted from its digital format," but doesn't stop to encourage site visitors to, oh we don't know, apply for a coupon and pick up a DTV converter box. Either way, it's this or hand out free STBs.[Image courtesy of ViandsEnterprises, thanks Student Driver]
Cox Oklahoma adding HGTV, Travel Channel, and Food Network in HD
Just last summer, AT&T rolled its U-verse service into Oklahoma City and threw the ball back in Cox's court. Now, the latter is beefing up its own lineup ever so slightly in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Starting on February 12th, subscribers in both regions will purportedly be able to tune into HGTV HD, Travel Channel HD and Food Network HD on channels 737, 744 and 745. We know -- you all were wishing for a few more than three, but hopefully it's just a sign of things to come, eh?[Thanks, Philip]
CNN, Golf / Versus finally added to Cox's New Orleans lineup
Although Cox inked a deal to snag CNN HD (and TBS HD, mind you) some three months back, it seems as if customers in New Orleans, Louisiana are just now getting a taste. According to a tipster, Cox has just recently threw CNN and Golf / Versus into the high-definition lineup, but stations such as History Channel HD, Science HD and NHL Network HD are still sorely missing. Anyone else enjoying the (admittedly late) newcomers in the area?[Thanks, Jose R.]
Cox brings HD VOD to Northern Virginia
Not even a month after Cox Communications blessed those in Northern Virginia with 11 new high-definition channels, the cable company is now giving NoVa residents even more HD options. Similar to the rollout seen last summer in Southern California, Cox is giving customers in Fairfax County access to over 20 Starz! and Showtime on-demand flicks in HD. Interestingly, it's still a bit unclear whether any additional HD VOD content was added aside from films on those two channels, so for any Cox subscribers located in this here region, why not fire up your service and give us the skinny?
Cox customers in Kansas get two more HD channels
Not even a fortnight after Cox Communications added four new HD options to its Kansas lineup, along comes news that two more channels have popped up sans warning. According to tipster Kevin, the provider has added HGTV HD and Food Network HD on channels 627 and 628, respectively. The more the merrier, right?[Thanks, Kevin O.]
Cox Arizona getting VOD via SSD-based servers
It's one thing to get video-on-demand, but it's another thing if that content is being served up via Concurrent's MediaHawk 4500. Apparently, Cox Communications' Arizona division will be using the aforementioned media server -- which automatically detects failures and re-routes streams to alternate paths -- to dish out VOD content to its customers. Additionally, the unit relies on solid state discs, presumably making everything a bit snappier for the end user. We're not told whether HD material will be included in this VOD rollout, but nevertheless, deployment is scheduled to begin in Q1 of next year.[Via Multichannel News]
Cox says it's bidding on 700MHz spectrum
Looks like being partners in a company called "SpectrumCo" just isn't what it seems -- although Comcast and Time Warner Communications have already dropped out of the 700MHz auction running, upstart Cox Communications has announced that it's ready to bid at least the $4.6B minimum in January's auction to try and get a little piece of the pie. Cox says it's trying to bundle all its products together, and that the airwaves will allow for greater mobility and convergence -- or, put more simply, "We like having options." Of course, it's got to muscle out all the other players first, but at this point it certainly seems like anything could happen.
Cox deploys SDV solution in Virginia, hopes to expand HD offerings
Those following the inner workings of Cox Communications ought not be too terribly surprised here, but the company has reportedly selected BigBand Networks to provide a switched digital video solution. Better still, the cable operator also announced that it has "begun to deploy the solution in its Northern Virginia market." James Kelso, vice president of video engineering for Cox, was quoted as saying that "BigBand's SDV solution gives us the ability to dramatically expand programming -- particularly high-definition channels -- at a low cost-per-subscriber." Regrettably, there's no mention of what other locales can look forward to SDV next, and while Cox doesn't exactly say what new HD channels we can expect to see utilizing this newfound bandwidth, we'll be waiting in tense anticipation.[Via MultiChannel]
Cox initiates HD VOD rollouts with HD Movies on Demand
We knew it would just be a matter of months before Cox Communications found the means to offer up HD video-on-demand -- after all, you can't lag behind your main competitors for too long without stepping up, right? Nevertheless, the company has announced that customers in San Diego can now access "more than 20 high-definition titles" via the HD Movies on Demand channel, and the library of HD flicks should hopefully grow as time goes on. On deck to receive the HD VOD luxuries are Northern Virginia and Oklahoma City, with other unnamed markets to get tapped "later this summer." So, for those San Diegans looking for a good HD movie to soak in on Independence Day, why not give Cox's latest offering a whirl and tell us how it goes?
Cox hoping to add capacity for 50 HD channels by year-end
Finally, a figure we can (halfway) believe. While competing carriers blurt out obscene numbers in the race to magically crank out HD channels that don't even exist yet, Cox Communications president Pat Esser came back from Cloud 9 by suggesting that his company is "aiming to have the capacity to offer 50 HD channels by the end of 2007." Unfortunately, he did make certain that we took note of the word "capacity," but explained that the firm would be eying a number of bandwidth-optimization tools and techniques including "system upgrades, retirement of analog channels, statistical multiplexing of HD signals, and switched digital video." Of course, it was reported that Cox would try to expand capacity to hold 100 HD channels by the end of 2009, but considering that it can hopefully rid itself of analog support, even that seems somewhat reasonable.
TiVo partners with Brightcove to offer Internet video
In an attempt to differentiate its product from the flood of DVRs and HTPCs on the the market today, TiVo has just announced a partnership with video publisher Brightcove to provide their broadband-capable customers with on-demand content. TiVo owners with Series 2 boxes will have access to "an as-yet-undisclosed set of Web-based programs" from the Cambridge, MA startup when the new service goes live this June, and although the initial round of programming will be free, the two companies plan on allowing content providers to charge for their material in the future. This move would seem to strengthen TiVo's position in the marketplace -- which may already see a boost in the near future if the rumored deal with Cox Communications materializes -- as their core business of providing hardware and guide services is quickly being being usurped by cheaper, and some might say better, alternatives.[Thanks, Dave Z]
Cox Communications mulling partnership with TiVo?
It's been over a year since we launched the TiVo Deathwatch, and not only is the company still alive and kicking, a new survey being conducted by Cox Communications may indicate that TiVo is about to enter into a partnership with the nation's third largest cable company. Thomas Hawk reports that users on on the TiVo Community Forum are buzzing about a questionnaire that was sent to Cox Enterprises customers who currently subscribe to one or more of the company's other services, but get their TV via satellite. Among a slew of questions about DVRs in general and TiVo specifically, is one which reads in part, "If Cox were to offer digital cable service with a TiVo branded DVR for about the same price as you are currently paying for satellite service each month, how likely would you be to switch from satellite TV to Cox cable that featured this TiVo branded DVR service?" Take this for what you will, but these questions would seem to indicate that the two companies are, at the very least, involved in backroom talks of some sort, and possibly even in the planning stages of building co-branded equipment. Combined with TiVo's recent courtroom victory over EchoStar, their current partnership with Comcast, and a surprising renewal of their service contract with DirecTV, a deal with Cox may be just the ammo we need to put the Deathwatch down for good.
