foxsports
Latest
Fox, Dish Network deal means no network TV blackout, FX & sports networks back on
Just that fast, it's like it all never happened. Fox and Dish Network have cut a deal to restore programming from the giant's channels including 19 regional sports networks, FX and National Geographic Channel. No word yet on the terms of the deal, but the key is it arrived in time to avoid a possible November 1 Cablevision-style (still ongoing btw, and getting nastier than ever with allegations of cable recommended piracy and unfair dealing) blackout of Fox in many cities during the World Series. Check out the press release after the break, or just go through and queue up a few episodes of Always Sunny in Philadelphia on the ol' 922. [Thanks, Justin]
Fox, Dish play the blame game over disappearing FX, sports networks
The latest carriage dispute is already a few days old and shows no signs of breaking yet, as Fox and Dish Network square off. Naturally both have issued the usual press releases and promotional websites blaming the other but at the moment, the only thing to know is for Dish customers, Fox regional sports networks, National Geographic Channel and FX are off the air. For its part, Dish is throwing in CBS College Sports, NBA TV, NHL Network, NBig Ten Network and a few others for affected customers. Of course, that doesn't do much for missing the conclusion of pennant races in baseball or preseason NBA games hitting many of those RSNs, though Fox claims things could get worse -- November 1 Fox and MyNetworkTV could be next to go.
DirecTV quickly signs up the first baseball 3D broadcast
After being left out of the Masters 3D presentation, DirecTV isn't missing out on this one. It's teaming up with FSN Northwest and YES Network to bring home two games between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners on July 10 and 11, although they will only be viewable by customers in the normal home footprint of both sports networks. Unfortunately it looks like the flyover states will miss out on the games, but those with a 3DTV and DirecTV will already have enjoyed plenty of World Cup action, and can look forward to the All-Star Game on July 13. Multichannel News indicates YES Network COO Ray Hopkins said other networks will have the "opportunity" to cut deals regarding the games, so if you're on another broadcaster but live in the home areas there's a possibility you will see them as well. Expect six to eight 3D camera angles, including a few from lower than usual positioning, to bring the game home. Whether it's an exclusive or not for a couple of regular season games probably isn't that big of a deal, but it will be interesting to see which, if any, of the other broadcasters snap up ESPN 3D ahead of the World Cup next month.
Fox VP details soccer HD plans
Ever since FSN made it's 24/7 HD for 2009 proclamation futbol fans have wanted to know if that applies to them too, and the Goal soccer blog on the New York Times has the news on what to expect as the UEFA Champions League comes to Fox. Fox Sports International VP David Sternberg let it be known that Fox Soccer Channel isn't going to be high definition until the end of this year, so don't expect any FSC games in HD until February 2010. The good news? After the wait, we can expect broadcasts of proper HD feeds, rather than upconverted widescreen SD feeds seen sometimes on ESPN.They do plan 16 live games on FSN, plus the 2010 final on FX, while broadband viewers can expect streaming from Setanta, so if FSC isn't on your lineup yet, there can still be some HD of the Beautiful Game in your future.
3D BCS broadcast announced for 80 theaters
With the teams finally set (sorry Texas) Fox Sports' 3D broadcast is being beamed live not only to CES, but also to theaters in 35 states. Courtesy of the same Cinedigm satellite network playing host to the 3D NBA All-Star Game in February, 80 RealD-outfitted theaters are airing the game while In Las Vegas, Paris Hotel and Casino will be set up with Sony 4K SXRD projectors showing 3ality Digital's 3D production in all its glory. Even with DeMarco Murray pulling out due to injury, a national championship game featuring the last two Heisman Trophy winning QBs seems worth catching in the best quality available -- outside of actually heading down to Dolphin Stadium and staring at the big screen. Check out the Cinedigm website for a list of theaters, tickets are expected to be between $18 - $22.
BCS Championship game live 3D broadcast coming to CES, movie theaters
Just in case you thought 3D was only for Thursday night NFL games and NBA playoff matchups, Fox Sports is broadcasting the first college football game in the format January 8. CEO David Hill dropped the info during the 3D Entertainment Summit, acknowledging plans to bring the 3D feed to CES (finally, we won't have to miss the big game this year -- like we'd ever watch an SD feed stretched on cheap hotel plasmas) and select movie theaters, but balked at pushing technology forward. Citing costs absorbed by broadcasters in switching to high definition, he's looking towards consumer electronics manufacturers to turn over HDTV profits and start another round of upgrades for early adopters. While they argue over who picks up the check we don't expect more than a few demos here or there, but with Panasonic, LG and others already taking the baton it's just a matter of time, maybe when ESPN takes over things full time in 2011?
TWC Wisconsin offers World Series to LIN TV-area customers
My, my -- now isn't this nifty. Time Warner Cable in Northeast Wisconsin is just one of the many areas still fighting with LIN TV in an attempt to get LIN TV-owned stations back in the EPG. As you can likely guess, the World Series is being played right now on one such station (WLUK), which obviously is no longer available via TWC to NE Wisconsin subscribers. In a workaround that can only be described as brilliant, it is bringing the Fall Classic to viewers via FOX Sports Espanol (slot 70; SD only) and encouraging them to catch the English play calling through the radio. We've no clue if other TWC regions are dabbling in the same black magic, but we can't help but chuckle and offer up a round of golf claps -- this, friends, is determination at work. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via FoxCitiesTV]
FSN: 24/7 high definition in 2009, more HD than any other sports provider
FSN's been all over HD in the last year, rolling out MLB broadcasts and even 3D NBA games, but according to President Randy Freer, HD telecasts will "skyrocket" in '09 as the network rolls over to 24/7 HD broadcasting. Wth the capability to produce all of its 3,000 MLB, NBA, NHL, college football and basketball games in HD would give it more than any other sports provider (read: CBS Sports & ESPN) in the U.S. All this HD will be made possible by the new Fox Network Houston, a 184,000 sq ft facility that it claims can handle more signal traffic than any other similar facility, with up to 40 live games in one day. HD rollouts will vary in each region based on distribution agreements, and team telecast rights, but if there was ever a time to avoid Big Ten Network-type squabbles, we'd say all this sports action in HD is one of them. We've come a long way from just 31 college games.
Fox goes all-HD for 2008 MLB season
That's right baseball fans, after cutting back the number of HD broadcasts last year, every single game on Fox this season will be in sweet, sweet 720p, including the All-Star Game. The network's MLB broadcasts start April 5 with either Mets/Braves, White Sox/Tigers or Padres/Dodgers coming your way depending on region. Good job Fox, we still haven't forgotten about Fox Widescreen, but today, you get a gold star.
Atlantic Broadband expands HD lineup, adds HD VOD in Johnstown, PA
While HD VOD has quite a ways to go before it becomes decently ubiquitous, Atlantic Broadband has decided to bless its Johnstown, Pennsylvania area customers with the luxury. Reportedly, an undisclosed amount of high-definition films will be available for renting at $5.99 a pop, and as if that wasn't reason enough to celebrate, these same customers are also getting two new additions to the HD lineup. Sports fans in particular should greatly appreciate getting both NFL Network and Fox Sports Pittsburgh in HD, both of which will now be included in the "regular HD package." Dave Dane, vice president of Atlantic Broadband's Pennsylvania operations, also noted that it had "some proposed HD launches for the first quarter of next year," but we're left to wonder precisely what those will be.
