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Google's gigabit fiber network to be built in Kansas City, Kansas; people of Topeka reportedly crestfallen
We were just wondering what Google was doing with that super-fast gigabit network it promised to set up in one lucky city and here's finally a fresh development. The winner has been chosen and it's Kansas City, Kansas. Having the winning community in its own state will be quite the bitter pill for the people of Topeka to swallow, as they actually renamed their town to Google, Kansas, just to try and appease the Mountain View overlords. Hey, we're sure Google knows best! An agreement has now been signed to roll out the fiber goodness in Kansas City, which should result in gigabit service becoming available to locals in 2012. A press event is scheduled for 1PM ET, which will be livestreamed at the YouTube link below, and you can check out the announcement video after the break while you wait. Update: That livestream is rolling, folks! Google's reps just said "this is the beginning and not the end." Kansas City, Kansas, will be just the first market where this 1Gbps goodness will be installed. Guess there's hope for the rest of us yet.
TWC rebadges Sprint Overdrive, offers it as IntelliGo mobile 3G / 4G hotspot
And then, there were three. Three ways to snag an Overdrive, that is. Months after Sprint issued the original 3G / 4G mobile hotspot, Clear came along and introduced a rebadged version of the same thing. Now, Time Warner Cable (who is also in cahoots with Sprint and Clear) is following suit by tossing its logo on the all-too-familiar device and christening it the IntelliGo. Functionally, it's the same as ever -- there's a built-in battery that'll provide 3G / 4G mobile internet to a smattering (read: five) of nearby devices via WiFi, a microSD slot and USB connectivity. The difference here, though, is that it'll run you $49.99 on a two-year contract, and the fee will "vary by region." Speaking of regions, it'll be available wherever Road Runner Mobile is offered, which means Texas, North Carolina, Hawaii and Kansas City for now.
Sunflower Broadband subs say goodbye to Kansas City's KMBC-ABC and KCWE-CW
Time Warner Cable subscribers managed to avert a crisis early this morning, but it seems that Sunflower Broadband customers aren't so lucky. As it stands, KMBC-ABC and KCWE-CW -- both owned by Kansas City's Hearst-Argyle Television -- are being dropped from the provider. Both channels were being transmitted to customers in SD and HD, and until an agreement can be worked out, Sunflower has arranged to retransmit ABC Topeka affiliate KTKA in SD / HD so that customers can at least view ABC material. The good (or better, we should say) news? The carrier has vowed to "work around the clock with Hearst-Argyle to restore KMBC and KCWE under terms that are fair to its customers." And now, we wait.
Full TWC Kansas City expansion detailed: ten new HD nets
We got early word a few days prior that some new high-def had shown up in Kansas City, Missouri, and now we've got the official word detailing the new bundle. Time Warner Cable has unloaded a new swath of HD channels via switched digital video (SDV), so we won't keep you waiting. They are: CNBC HD (1029), USA HD (1039), Cartoon Network HD (1058), FX HD (1062), SciFi HD (1063), Bravo HD (1068), SPEED HD (1201), CBS College Sports HD (1212), FOX Business News HD (1232), TMC HD (1390) and MGM HD (1501). Not a bad way to kick the weekend off, huh? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Time Warner Cable adds a handful of high-def nets in Kansas City
Who would've thunk that Kansas City, Missouri would end up being a hotbed for HD competition? With SureWest, Time Warner Cable and AT&T all vying for your hard-earned dollars, it's no shock to see the middle guy adding a little incentive to its package. As of now, customers in the area can catch MGM HD, CNBC HD, FX HD, Fox Business HD, College Sports TV HD, SciFi HD and a few "others" as described by our tipster. Time for SureWest to step up now, huh? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Matt]
Kansas City's KCTV takes local news HD, leaves WDAF holding the egg
Yep, as of this week, KCTV (CBS) is broadcasting its local newscasts in high-definition, which gives Kansas City residents not one, not two, but three different networks to choose from when scouting HD news. The only holdout? The local FOX affiliate WDAF-TV, which apparently has no current plans to join its rivals in showing off anchors in 720p / 1080i. Good luck with that.[Thanks, Michael]
AT&T's U-verse Total Home DVR snakes into Kansas City unannounced
It isn't the first, and it probably won't be the last market we see AT&T gift with U-verse without a formal announcement -- though if we were betting men, we'd say that proclamation is coming soon. Total Home DVR, which has been sweeping across the carrier's footprints in order to give networked TVs the ability to watch recorded SD / HD programs, has finally hit Kansas City, Missouri, and we get the sense that locals couldn't be happier. So yeah, pop the cork and enjoy the new features.[Thanks, Paul]
SureWest nets 100,000 broadband customers, gives two some freebies
SureWest just recently lit up its 100Mbps high-speed internet service in Kansas City, and apparently, people really dug it. As of this week, the telco has managed to secure 100,000 broadband customers in its two major markets of Kansas City and Sacramento. In order to celebrate, it chose one subscriber at random from each of those regions and gave them free HDTV, digital phone and broadband internet for a year. Unlike Charter, however, we actually expect these guys to deliver on their promises.
SureWest brings 100Mbps internet, HDTV to Kansas City homes
While Time Warner Cable is busying trialing consumption-based internet billing, SureWest Communications is encouraging more residents of Kansas City to download at will. As of now, around 1,500 domiciles in Merriam and Olathe have access to the company's 100Mbps fiber-based internet, and it's hoping to reach thousands more homes by early 2009. Additionally, the FTTH network is bringing along a respectable array of high-def channels to those who dig the bundle, though a specific lineup wasn't mentioned. It's not quite Sigbritt Löthberg fast, but it's pretty nimble.
Surewest adding 18 new HD channels in Kansas City
Along with changing the name of the recently-acquired Everest Broadband unit to match the rest of the family, SureWest Communications is rolling out 18 new HDTV channels to Kansas City customers over the next month or so. If you don't have SureWest service yet, you might soon, as its also adding an additional 10,000 homes in the area this year to its FTTH footprint, with most having access to 50Mbps speeds up and downstream. As far as what channels specifically are coming, you're on your own so keep an eye on the channel listing.
TWC brings a dozen HD channels to Kansas City, has SDV to thank
Remember how we told you that switched digital video was enabling more and more cable carriers to add more HD channels? Case, meet point. Just days after Time Warner Cable implemented SDV in Kansas City (and ticked off more than a few CableCARD users), we've now found out why such a decision was made. As of now, twelve new high-def channels are at everyone's disposal, including TBS HD (1014), TLC HD (1040), Travel Channel HD (1050), CNN HD (1044), Science HD (1023), Versus / Golf HD (1055), Animal Planet HD (1057), Fox News HD (1060), ESPNews HD (1204), Outdoor Channel HD (1202), Biography HD (1217) and Planet Green HD (1226). Unfortunately for the 1,200 or so KC-area CableCARD users, every last one of these new stations are being delivered via SDV, so unless you revert back to the company-issued set-top-box, you'll be moseying over to the neighbor's house in order to catch a glimpse.[Thanks, Jondy and Matt]
TWC implementing switched digital video in Kansas City
Stay sharp, Time Warner Cable subscribers -- we've got a feeling the switched digital video wave is just beginning to swell. Merely hours after hearing that San Diego residents were receiving a letter informing them that SDV was on the way, one particular user in Kansas City has apparently received the same. Better still, he was kind enough to post the full text, which explains that a number of "lesser-viewed" channels will be delivered via SDV as of August 20th. Of course, this means that existing CableCARD users will be out of luck unless they pick up a tuning adapter, and while some carriers have already committed to handing them out to those in need for free, TWC is entirely more ambiguous. The exact verbiage reads: "It is currently contemplated that the Tuning Adapter will be provided at no additional charge," but those unwilling to wait will be forced to pick up one of the carrier's own set-top-boxes in order to see the stations. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Time Warner Cable brings four new HD channels to Kansas City, MO
While it has been Charter of late doing all the lineup boosting in the Show Me State, Time Warner Cable is finally getting in gear and introducing four new high-definition channels in Kansas City. As of right this moment, subscribers in the region can find HDTV HD (1054), Food Network HD (1052), Discovery HD (1045) and MHD (1024) in the EPG. The release also notes that TWC "anticipates adding more new HD channels by the end of the month," but we don't have to tell you not to hold your breath. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jondy]
Kansas City's KSHB-TV takes local news high-def
As the nationwide commitment to HD news continues to blossom this week, Kansas City's own NBC affiliate (KSHB-TV) has too made the switch. As you'd expect, every single newscast from the station's studios will be aired in high-def, from the 5AM - 7AM Action News Today to the Action News at 10PM broadcast. Those interested in seeing what the talking heads have to say in glorious HD can tune via OTA (41.1), Time Warner Cable (1441), Everest (630), Sunflower (202), Comcast (232) or U-verse (1041). Any others around the country going to get in while the getting's good?[Thanks, Sean]
FSN Kansas City HD arrives in Topeka on Cox
Although the 2008 MLB season is well underway, we suppose Cox subscribers in Topeka can't complain with being able to catch at least some of the 88 Royals games that are slated to air in high-def on FSN Kansas City. Effective immediately, Cox users in the area can tune in during game times for a high-definition feed of certain matchups, but for whatever reason, these same folks are still waiting to receive the likes of Science HD, Animal Planet HD, Cinemax HD, Travel Channel HD, NFL HD, etc. -- all networks that are already live in smaller locales such as Manhattan and Salina. Keep griping, Topekans, we'd be sour too.[Image courtesy of A.T. Switzer, thanks Kevin]
FSN Kansas City to carry 88 Royals games in HD
Although the Royals were already receiving the "world's largest" HD LED scoreboard in their home stadium, fans having to watch from the comfort of their own couches were yearning for more. Thankfully, FSN Kansas City -- the "new television home of the Royals" -- will be helping you folks out, as it's gearing up to broadcast 88 of the club's games this season in gorgeous high-definition. As you well know, 2008 marks the first year in which the Royals matchups will be aired in HD (regionally, at least), and FSN KC isn't wasting any time in delivering the goods. Starting on March 31st, Royals fans can catch the team's opener at Detroit in HD, and the home opener on April 8th (against the Yankees) will also be shown in high-def. Heck, even the pre- and post-game shows will be seen in HD on HD game nights. Check out the full HD schedule in the read link below.[Image courtesy of VisitKC, thanks Jim]
AT&T brings U-verse to even more Kansas City, Missouri residents
Not even a year has passed since AT&T's own fiber-based television service wheeled into Kansas City, Missouri, but now it's delivering the U-verse goods to even more residents in the area. By expanding the service out to a new chunk of consumers, some 130,000 living units are now blanketed. As expected, users in the area can also look forward to the firm's U-bar, YellowPages.com TV and Yahoo! Games features. Ready to jump ship on your current provider? Phone up AT&T and see if your abode is covered this go 'round.
Royals' HD scoreboard to one-up 'Godzillatron'
We're a bit perplexed as to why the Kansas City Royals are becoming the next baseball team to get a substantial stadium makeover -- considering the team's record over the past few years and all -- but hey, we can't complain about "the world's largest HD LED scoreboard," now can we? Along with the giant board in center field, the stadium will also receive a myriad Daktronics displays along "the fascia of the upper deck along right and left field," and two ribbon boards (each 380-feet in length) will be "positioned in the outfield above the new restaurant / bar and Hall of Fame." All told, $250 million will be spent sprucing up the ballpark, and while fans will be seeing that 100- x 85-foot HD scoreboard next season, the entire project should be completed by 2009.Read - Kauffman Stadium getting $250 million renovationRead - World's largest HD LED display
Kansas City Royals to get 'world's largest' HD LED scoreboard
Quite frankly, it seems that each professional sports team that installs a fancy new HD scoreboard immediately assumes that it's the world's largest, and this go 'round, it's the Kansas City Royals keeping the trend alive. During the 2008 MLB season, Royals fans can feast their eyes on a 100- by 85-foot Daktronics display that utilizes HD-X LED technology, which the ball club says is "the largest HD LED board in the world." Additionally, Kauffman Stadium will be receiving a number of other Daktronics-sourced upgrades in 2009 / 2010, including an outfield fence display that measures around 8- by 128-feet, a pair of "ribbon boards" measuring in at 4- x 380-feet, and two displays above the stadium's new Hall of Fame that each span 5- by 108-feet. Now, if the Royals themselves prove to be worth watching, taking in a game next season may not be such a bad idea.
