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Women's pro bowling will be in HD for the first time on ESPN2
We were just wondering what sports weren't already in high definition and now we have an answer, since ESPN has announced it has added major women's pro bowling events to its HD schedule. The US Bowling Congress Queens and U.S. Women's Open will air in April and July on ESPN2 HD for the first time. We're pretty sure that completes the list, with women's bowling and some little series called F1 on board, there can't be anything else left...can there?
The best HD sports on TV this week
NFL Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Network Thurs 8:20 PM Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints NFL Network Sat 8:20 PM Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers FOX Sun 4:15 NCAA Basketball Michigan at Kansas ESPN Sat Noon Gonzaga vs. Duke CBS Sat 4:00 PM NBA Orlando Magic at Miami Heat TNT Thurs 8:00 PM Cleveland Cavaliers at Phoenix Suns NBATV Sun 9:00 PM NHL Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs VS. Mon 7:00 PM
University of Hawaii games stay SD, for now
Warrior football fans will need to watch their next QB to put up incredible college numbers and proceed to a career as practice squad NFL QB in standard def for the next season or two. Local station KFVE/KHNL just doesn't see it being feasible to put its PPV University of Hawaii games in HD yet (although the local cable channel on Oceanic already shows high school games in HD). The good news (we guess) is that HD is on the way, someday, unfortunately the cost of the necessary new facilities -- despite the Hula Bowl managing to go HD -- has put it on the back burner at the moment.
Raycom airing all SEC football, select basketball games in HD
Well, wouldn't you know it? After assuming that Raycom would follow in the footsteps of the ESPN networks and FSN, along comes a tipster to show that said network already has upped its commitment to HD. This season, Raycom has promised to deliver every single one of its SEC football matchups in high-definition, while "most" of the SEC basketball tilts will also air in HD later this year. Granted, we haven't heard anything further about how it'll handle ACC battles, but we can only hope it treats both conferences similarly.[Thanks, David]
All live 2008 NCAA Football games on ABC / ESPN networks to air in HD
Not that we're trying to rush the summer away or anything, but August can't get here soon enough. Shortly after hearing that CBS would be producing every single NFL game in high-definition, in flies word that all live 2008 NCAA College Football games shown on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN U will also be available in glorious HD. Granted, there's a shot you won't even have those four networks in HD before the season begins, but at least your local watering hole will. For a look at the current schedule (which is far from complete), check out the goods in the read link. Rest assured, we'll be geared up for the network opener (August 28, 8:00PM on ESPN HD) as NC State shows South Carolina how it's done down at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Poll: What's your favorite HD sporting event of the year?
Needless to say, March Madness got us thinking -- is this really the pinnacle for sporting fans, HD sporting fans in particular. Honestly, the Super Bowl is terrific, but does the Super Bowl itself (read: not the overblown run-up) stretch over multiple days and give your HDTV the workout of its life? Minute for minute, we can't find a better time of the year to enjoy HD sports than the final days of March, but we're curious to see if our sentiment is shared with the majority. Take a peek below and let us know what sporting event you and your HDTV look forward to most. [Image courtesy of Crutchfield] %Poll-11603%
TWC customers to see Cincinnati Reds in HD this season?
Considering that every single New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays matchup will be seen in HD in their respective markets, it's understandable for Reds fans to long for more than Time Warner Cable delivered last season. During 2007, TWC failed to carry the initial 33 Cincinnati Reds games on FSN Ohio in HD, but according to Karen Baxter, public affairs director for the carrier's southwest Ohio division, it's hoping to "be able to offer the Reds in HDTV this year." Notably, Insight brought these very games to its Northern Kentucky subscribers last year in HD, making Ohio residents that much more upset to be left in the pixelated dark. Still, considering that DirecTV and DISH Network has access to all 71 FSN Ohio HDTV games, we're hoping Time Warner steps up to the proverbial plate here and gives the local Reds fans a clearer picture this go 'round -- particularly since we know the channel itself is already on the way. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Image courtesy of Megan Construction]
SNY to deliver every New York Mets game in HD
While we heard that all 144 Blue Jays games would be aired in glorious high-definition on one channel or another, SNY has just announced that it "will produce every New York Mets regular season game -- in 2008 and beyond -- in high-definition." Previously, SNY had delivered just the home games in HD, but now you won't be forced to rack up those airline miles in order to catch your beloved Mets in something more than SD. The fun gets started when the home team travels down to Florida to take on the Marlins at 4:00PM on March 31st. Of course, you still may want to catch a game at the upcoming Citi Field every now and then -- we can only imagine how 12,000 square feet of HD signage will look in person.[Thanks, Tom D.]
The first ESPNews HD screenshots
We know you're probably too wrapped up in the looming March Madness to actually stop and realize what month it is, but sure enough, March is the month in which ESPNews HD is slated to land. Just as 2007 was drawing to a close, we got word that designers had finalized the new channel's graphics package -- fast forward a tick, and we see this. Judging by the photo above along with a number of others in the read link below, we'd say we're more anxious than ever to feast our eyes and ears on 24/7 sporting news. Of course, we've yet to see any confirmation that these are real, but we can't imagine someone going out of their way to mock 'em up. Launch day (whenever that may be) can't come soon enough.
HD Sports Guide gets upgraded
There's no arguing that HD sports is one of the best things to watch in HD, some think it is even better than going to the game. The problem of course is that until every sporting event is televised in HD, unless your favorite team is playing, why waste your precious time watching SD programming? We've always looked to HDSportsGuide.com for the most comprehensive HD sports programming information and now it just got better. Of course the site still has the same great info it has always has, but it has finally received a much needed facelift. Plus, now you can also look at a schedule for just your favorite team so you don't have to go hunting around in the program guide to see which channel has the HD coverage. And finally there is now a forum for members " to provide a place for people to ask questions about upcoming sports events and other HD issues."
Raycom serving up select ACC men's basketball games in HD
For fans of the Atlantic Coast Conference, catching the ACC Tournament last year in high-definition was a treat. Thankfully, Raycom Sports will be blessing fans with more of the same this year, but it seems we won't have to wait until March to indulge. According to a sponsorship opportunity found on the company's website, four regular season matchups will be broadcast in HD along with every second of the 2008 ACC Tourney in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kicking things off on January 31st will be the Wolfpack from NC State taking on Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium, while the Blue Devils head down to Chapel Hill on February 6th to tangle with the Tar Heels. On February 9th, NC State will meet up with Maryland and on February 12th, UNC will head to Virginia to play the Cavaliers. For a complete listing of regions where these games can be seen, check out the read link below. [Thanks, WallyB]
NFL 2007 season kicks off in HD on NBC
Tonight is finally the night, the night that every NFL fan has been waiting for since February. A new season brings new hope, every fan can wipe away last year's loses and look forward to a fresh start. But, this year the fresh start isn't the only thing new this season, as CBS is moving themselves back towards being the HD sports leader by covering most of their games in HD -- up from 3 a week last year. As you'd probably expect, the NFL will kick off in HD, and that game will be carried on NBC tonight at 7pm. Now, lets just hope they got the MPEG encoder problem from last year resolved, or we'll have to deal with the screen going fuzzy every few minutes.
