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Cox Communications to carry Hallmark Movie Channel HD
Another month, another carrier picking up Hallmark Movie Channel HD. This time, we see Cox Communications landing an agreement with Crown Media Holdings in order to distribute the high-definition feed of Hallmark Movie Channel. The operator currently beams out the SD flavor along with Hallmark Channel, but this newly inked multi-year agreement ensures that fans of the network will soon be seeing an HD version. Exactly how soon, unfortunately, remains unanswered.
Hallmark Movie Channel HD lands network playback partner
Now that Hallmark Movie Channel HD has found a sufficient amount of carriers to air on, parent company Crown Media has inked a deal with Broadcast Facilities to "to provide full HD network playback" for the aforesaid channel. BFI owns and operates Andrita Media Center, the "largest independent High Definition (HD) digital media facility on the West Coast," and the deal requires that Andrita expand its HD network playback center "to support the origination of the Hallmark Movie Channel's extensive original and library movie content in HD on a 24 / 7 basis." Unfortunately, we haven't a clue if this is the puzzle piece we've been waiting for to swap out stretch-o-vision content with authentic high-def material, but surely it can't hurt matters.
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.
Hallmark Movie Channel HD coming to DirecTV, too
When we first heard that Hallmark Movie Channel HD was hoping to rush into households as early as April, there was speculation that DirecTV would be the first to lock it down. Curiously enough, Time Warner Cable eventually snagged that honor, but it looks as if DTV will still be carrying said channel according to a renewed agreement between it and Crown Media Holdings. Put simply, terms of deal stipulate that DirecTV "will have the right to distribute the standard-definition and high-definition versions of Hallmark Movie Channel." Unfortunately, an actual launch date was casually omitted.
Hallmark Movie Channel HD headed to Time Warner Cable
Nothing too groundbreaking here, but for fans of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, you can rest assured that it'll remain on Time Warner Cable systems for awhile longer. Reportedly, the cable operator has just renewed its distribution agreement with Crown Media Holdings for "a multi-year term." Under the new deal, TWC "will have the right to continue its distribution of Hallmark Channel as well as the opportunity for distribution of both the standard-definition and high-definition versions of Hallmark Movie Channel." If you'll recall, we were previously left in the dark as to where HMC HD would actually launch -- now, it seems we have our answer. If only things were this easy with NFL Network... [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Hallmark Movie Channel HD targets April launch date, but where?
Hallmark Movie Channel set a date for bringing its "whole-family" library of flicks to HDTV format, April 2. DirecTV will be first with the channel, but if your provider gets the SD feed, they will get HD at no additional cost, hopefully meaning only bandwidth considerations can stand in the way of a speedy rollout. Viewers can expect one large programming event per quarter, starting with the miniseries Son of the Dragon. The only bad news to report for fans of the network is that while a high definition version of the regular Hallmark Channel is coming, it probably won't be ready in 2008.Update: Multichannel News has updated its article, apparently realizing that since DirecTV doesn't have Hallmark Movie Channel, it would be somewhat difficult to carry the HD version. So, this channel will debut April 2...somewhere.
