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Comcast adding new HD channels in Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolina is the latest locale on the mind of Comcast, as subscribers in the area are about to receive a few new channels on the EPG. Reportedly, FOX News HD, Disney Channel HD, Science HD, SPEED HD, FX HD, Versus HD and AMC HD have already popped up for some folks, though the go-live date isn't scheduled until November 1st. We know, it's only a handful, but it's better than suffering through next week with the same 'ole lineup, isn't it?[Thanks, Gus and Carlton]
TWC adds Food / Disney / Animal Planet HD in Columbus, OH
Time Warner Cable has been beefing up its HD lineup in Columbus, Ohio slowly but surely, and yet again, residents are being spoon-fed another trio as they await a fantasmical high-def explosion (that may or may not ever come, sadly). At any rate, Food Network HD, Disney HD and Animal Planet HD were all lit up in the EPG this week, giving locals three more ways to split their HD viewing hours. Invigorating, no?[Thanks, Nick]
TWC throws two more HD channels to San Diego residents
Time Warner Cable is doing its darnedest to beef up the HD lineup in San Diego to something respectable, but it's a slow, agonizing process to watch. After receiving two new ones in September, the firm has added in two others as it attempts to include 10 to 15 more over the next short while. As of now, residents of the city can catch Food Network HD on slot 751 and HGTV HD on slot 753, though there's no word as to when the rest will be coming. Sooner the better, yeah? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Michael]
Cox adding slew of HD channels in Kansas / Arkansas
Cox is shuffling around the lineups down in Arkansas and Kansas, but relocation isn't the only process going down. A plethora of new high-definition channels are headed to both locales on November 18th, and here's a look at what's to come: SciFi HD, Bravo HD, Nickelodeon HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Planet Green HD, CMT HD, VH1 HD, MTV HD and Spike HD. For the full spill of what stations are moving, what stations are vanishing and what stations are being added to what slots, hit the read link and put those sleuthing skills to good use.
TWC gets official with HD expansion in the Carolinas
Hot on the heels of TWC's Greensboro expansion announcement comes some official word from the carrier itself on how it'll be handling new HD rollouts in the Carolinas at large. For starters, many Raleigh-area customers received an e-mail proclaiming that 20 new high-def stations would be coming soon, though it mistakenly claims ESPN2 HD as a newcomer. At any rate, the director of digital communication at Time Warner Cable chimed in to clear things up, noting that the company is "rolling out up to 20 HD channels over the next several months, depending on the division." From the looks of things, Raleigh and Charlotte will be getting just about everything TWC has, while Greensboro, NC and Columbia, SC will receive smaller allotments. Curiously enough, the Wilmington area wasn't mentioned at all, but here's hoping they'll be on the same wave as Raleigh. For the full report from Jeff Simmermon, jump on past the break. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Comcast adds FX, FOX News and SPEED HD in Augusta, Georgia
With the weather growing a bit too chilly for golf in Augusta, wouldn't you say it's about time you stayed in for the night and caught some HDTV? Comcast sure thinks so, evidenced by the fresh trio of high-def channels that it beamed up to the aforesaid region over the weekend. As of now, Augusta-area subscribers can check out FOX News Channel HD, SPEED HD and FX HD, which ought to keep you occupied for at least a week or two.[Thanks, Caleb]
TWC adding 11 HD channels in Greensboro, NC, Triangle seen fuming
You can't be serious. No, really -- this cannot be happening. Merely days after Time Warner Cable did its best to appease rightfully frustrated Raleigh-based subscribers with four new HD channels, in flies word that our pals up I-40 are getting set to receive 11. It's been no secret that TWC favored the Triad in the high-def department, but this is just blatant. Beginning on Wednesday, Greensboro, NC-area customers will see SPEED HD and Bio HD hit the lineup, with Fox Sports Network South HD, Cinemax East HD, Cinemax West HD, Starz HD, The Movie Channel HD, Weather Channel HD, FX HD, Hallmark HD and Pay Per View HD joining that duo "in the coming months." Suffice it to say, Triangle dwellers everywhere are hoping and praying for that U-verse investment to amount to something sooner rather than later. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]Update: A new source asserts that TWC will begin the rollout of 20 new HD channels in its "Carolina Region" starting on October 29th. Unfortunately, there's no mention of what areas will get what channels, we'll remain cautiously pessimistic that the entire state won't see all 20 until we hear otherwise.
AT&T adds 30 new HD channels to U-verse TV at no charge
So much for kvetching over that $5 fee for three extra channels, huh? AT&T has come out of absolutely nowhere today to announce that some 30 new high-def channels will be offered gratis to U-verse TV customers beginning on November 3rd. Granted, what you see will depend on your programming package, but still, access to over 75 HD channels for $10 extra per month ain't too shabby. If that wasn't enough to get your juices flowin', the provider also announced that international programming packages for Chinese, Polish, Russian, French and European-sports audiences would be available for those that care to indulge at varying price points. Eager to see what newcomers are on deck? Hit the read link and scroll down.
Naxoo intros new HD package for Swiss customers
Switzerland-based cable company Naxoo is giving its customers a few new high-def channels to feast on, but they won't be arriving for free. The new package includes National Geographic HD, BBC HD, HD3 Culture, iConcerts HD, Arte HD and Melody Zen TV for a monthly fee of around $8.40 per month, but considering that AT&T is charging $5 for an extra three high-def channels, we guess this is just about par for the course.
New load of HD channels comes to TWC in greater Los Angeles area
Slowly but surely, the residents in and around Los Angeles, California are catching up to their even-more-southern California brethren in the TWC HD department. Beginning November 19th, a whole gaggle of new stations will be arriving in a whole slew of new areas. As for channels, look for Animal Planet HD (451), Travel Channel HD (452), Planet Green HD (453), The Weather Channel HD (454), FX HD (456), Bio HD (457), Science Channel HD (460), Toon Disney HD (461), Cartoon Network HD (462), FOX News HD (465), FOX Business Network HD (466), ESPNU HD (467), SPEED HD (468), NBA TV HD (470), NHL Network HD (471), Tennis Channel HD (473), Lifetime Movie Network HD (475), Hallmark Movie Channel HD (476), HBO East HD (481), Cinemax East HD (482), Showtime East HD (483), The Movie Channel West HD (484), Starz East HD (485), INDemand Sports HD (732) and INDemand Sports HD 2 (733). Phew. Check the read link for all the specific areas for which these are destined. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Scott]
AT&T's U-verse HD Premium Tier explained: $5 for three channels
Ugh. This is just downright ugly. For the longest while, AT&T had quite the edge in the pricing department compared to most other HD programming competitors. For just $10 per month, users had access to over 40 high-def channels, but apparently, all that is about to change. Following a ominous postcard sent out to select California-area U-verse users, AT&T has confirmed on its website that the newfangled HD Premium Tier is real. And it's a ripoff. Beginning "soon," subscribers who wish to see Universal HD, MGM HD and / or Smithsonian HD will be forced to pay an additional $5 on top of the $10 HD access fee. We're not sure if this so-called Premium Tier will eventually host even more HD channels for the same low, low price of $5 per month, but until we find that it does, we'd recommend holding off. Seriously, AT&T? $5 per month for three channels?[Via U-talk forums, thanks Anthony]
Time Warner Cable finally recognizes Raleigh, adding 4 HD channels
We're struggling to believe this is real, but it appears that Time Warner Cable has finally woken up and realized that it serves a great number of increasingly frustrated people in the greater Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina area. While locales like San Antonio have upwards of 70 HD channels on TWC, the poor citizens of the Triangle have been suffering with just a handful for years. Sure, TWC gifted the area with Big Ten Network a few weeks back, but seriously, who's watching that in the heart of ACC territory? Nevertheless, the carrier is gearing up to add Discovery HD (260), SPEED HD (273), ESPNU HD (288) and Bio HD (296) on October 29th, all of which will be listed in the "Free HD" lineup. We still feel the people of Raleigh deserve a few more, but so long as this is just the beginning of lots more, we'll be content. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Bill]
TWC gifts Port Clinton, Ohio with ABC / CBS / PBS in high-def
These days, it's tough to live with a carrier that doesn't at least offer the big four broadcast networks in high-definition, particularly for those not living within antenna's reach of the station headquarters. For Time Warner Cable customers in Port Clinton, Ohio, the days of doing without ABC and CBS in HD are over, as the carrier has finally included the high-def feed of WTVG and WTOL in its lineup. It also threw in PBS HD (WGTE) to bring the grand total in the region to 29 HD stations, and while an addition of three may not seem like much, it's hard to think of three more important channels than these to have in HD. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Time Warner Cable adds Cartoon Network HD in San Antonio
San Antonio's never short on HD channels from Time Warner Cable, but just in case locals in the area were getting fed up with the oodles they already have, here's another to keep you (or your kids, most likely) quiet. As of this week, Cartoon Network HD is being placed on slot 145, bringing the total HD channels in the region to 71 -- and that's not counting the 124 HD movie-on-demand channels and 337 HD free-on-demand titles. Can you detect a hint of bitterness? Sorry, we tried mightily to conceal it. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
DirecTV picks up A&E's Crime & Investigation HD
DirecTV isn't the first programming provider to pick up A&E Television Networks' new Crime & Investigation HD, but it's still in an exclusive group at this point. Starting today, DirecTV subscribers can tune into the high-def channel on slot 275, although some users are reporting that you'll need to reauthorize your DVR before it becomes accessible. Not a bad add, DirecTV, not bad at all.[Via SatelliteGuys, thanks Chris]
The Frame brings high-def art to Canadian HDTVs on Star Choice
We'll go ahead and say it: Canada is in desperate need of some fresh HD channels, and while we're sure Canucks will take any one they can get, we have all ideas The Frame isn't high on their list of wants. Nevertheless, the all-HD-art channel that hit Shaw Cable back in August has finally arrived on subsidiary Star Choice, and as expected, it will provide a 24-hour feed of high-def art sans commercials. From "exclusive fine art collections to award-winning photographs," The Frame promises to give your HDTV a workout when there's absolutely nothing else on. Those somehow looking forward to this can catch it on slot 268 this Thursday.[Via Digital Home]
ATMC Cable adds PBS HD to ever expanding HD lineup
A month is a long time to go without ATMC Cable adding a new HD channel, but just as it promised earlier this year, PBS HD has finally hit the lineup. With the addition, the North Carolina-based cable company has grown its high-def lineup to 37 channels, and those with an HD receiver or HD DVR can tune in now for no extra charge on slot 908.
ASTRA sees 30% increase in HD channels over three months
We usually try to skim right over meaningless gloating from companies, but ASTRA's latest back-patting is actually something worth a round of golf claps. As you all well know, Europe suffers from a comparative dearth of HD options when eyed beside the USA, but it seems as if that disparity is fading. Over the past three months, the ASTRA satellite system has increased the amount of HD channels it carries to 55 -- a 30% boost. The bird beams out offerings for carriers like Sky (UK), CanalSat (France), Premiere (Germany), Digital+ (Spain), Viasat (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland), Canal Digitaal (Netherlands), etc. According to Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA, the "rapid growth in the number of HD channels clearly shows that HDTV is taking off in Europe." We hope you're right, sir.
HD versions of ITV, Channel 4 and BBC coming to Freeview HD in 2009
Let us speak for all of the UK when we inhale a deep breath of fresh air and say: "Finally!" After hearing earlier this year that plans were in place for Freeview to take the HD plunge in the UK, Ofcom has just made it official. Beginning next year, ITV, Channel 4 and BBC will launch high-def channels on the platform, with an expected go-live date of "late autumn" 2009. It was also confirmed that a fourth HD channel was expected to launch by 2010. As for coverage areas, it's slated to be available in the Granada region next year, followed by Wales, Scotland and the West Country in 2010; Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian in 2011; and London, Tyne Tees and Ulster by 2012. Oh, and we hate to burst your bubble somewhat, but an all-new set-top-box will be required to juggle both the MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 standards -- bugger![Thanks, Ruaidhri]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: October 18, 2008
Don't anyone say that Verizon wasn't busy in the FiOS TV department this week, 'cause it absolutely was. For starters, the provider launched a new wave of interactive features for subscribers in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts, while four south-central Pennsylvania counties (Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and York) were able to acquire the service for the first time. It was also busy bringing new slates of high-def channels to customers in California, Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne. Finally, two more towns in Massachusetts (Grafton and Weston) granted Verizon a cable franchise for future FiOS TV deployment. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - Rhode Island interactive featuresRead - Massachusetts interactive featuresRead - New York interactive featuresRead - Pennsylvania expansionRead - Massachusetts expansionRead - Pittsburgh HD channelsRead - California HD channelsRead - Fort Wayne HD channels
