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Bright House Networks throws FX HD to Michigan subscribers
There's hardly anything more awesome than a belated gift that your weren't even expecting, and that's exactly what has been given to Bright House Networks customers in Michigan. Just days after receiving Biography HD, Golf HD, Versus HD and Hallmark Movie Channel HD, the carrier has added FX HD to the mix on slot 267. Any other stragglers out there you can tell us about, BHN?[Thanks, Dean]
Bright House Networks gifts Michigan subscribers with more HD
The weather isn't enviable in Michigan right now, but the HD lineup on Bright House Networks certainly is. According to new information on the carrier's website, locals can now tune to Biography HD (249), Golf HD (233), Versus HD (274) and Hallmark Movie Channel HD (290; replaces MOJO HD). These changes come just weeks after BHN delivered a half dozen others, so we suspect customers in the state are already salivating at the thought of getting more just a few months from now.[Thanks, Dean]
Comcast plans a trio for Northern Indiana / Southwest Michigan
While your pals would likely look at you funny if you told them this news after exclaiming "we're expecting!," we totally understand. Reportedly, Comcast is fixing to drop FOX News HD (265), FX HD (267) and SPEED HD (237) on its Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan markets on December 16th. If that combination sounds familiar, it's because it is -- Reston, VA and Pittsburgh, PA have also received the same trifecta. Go on, let all your geeky joy our in comments below.[Thanks, Grant]
Wide Open West lands ESPN2, ABC Family and Disney in HD
Wide Open West delivered three high-def stations to its markets in September, and now it's about to followup with three more in December. Effective December 18th, WOW! subscribers in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Evansville will be treated to ESPN2 HD, ABC Family HD and Disney HD, and NFL Network will be relocating from the HD Pak to the HD lineup on Digital Basic Cable. Let's just call it an early present, shall we?[Thanks, Wes and David]
DirecTV lights up HD locals in six new markets
DirecTV's a few months behind on finishing up its summer HD locals expansion, but we're pretty sure subscribers in six new markets are willing to forgive the delay now that their favorite broadcast networks are in shining high-def. As of now, customers in Boise, Idaho; Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas; Macon, Georgia; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Traverse City-Cadillac, Michigan; and Fort Smith, Arkansas can tap into HD locals via DirecTV, and the satcaster can now claim that over 86% of US households are within range of 'em.
AT&T takes Total Home DVR to five more U-verse locales
Another day, another round of U-verse Total Home DVR rollouts. This time, the good news is being bestowed upon residents of Columbus, Flint, Kansas City, Lubbock and Oklahoma City, giving each of the areas the ability to watch HD / SD DVR recordings on other connected TVs in the home. Here's hoping AT&T takes care of the rest of y'all in short order -- we're eager for some more U-verse TV expansion, as nice as this update is and all.[Thanks, Anthony]
AT&T now offering U-verse in Flint and Saginaw, Michigan
AT&T's footprint in Michigan is growing larger, as both Flint and Saginaw-area residents now have yet another option when it comes to programming. AT&T's U-verse TV, high-speed internet and U-verse Voice are now available in select parts of nearly 30 local communities, including Flint, Midland, Saginaw and others. As it tends to do, the provider has vowed to make it available in more locales in the coming months, though it doesn't provide any clarity beyond that. If you're frustrated with your current carrier and you call either of the aforesaid cities home, give AT&T a call and see if it's time for a momentous change in your life.
Bright House Networks brings 6 new HD channels to Michigan
Chin up, Michigan residents -- or, at least the ones with Bright House Networks in their homes. As of next week, you folks will have access to a half dozen more HD channels, placing the total well above 30. Starting September 30th, you'll find CNN HD (227), ABC Family HD (259), ESPNU HD (264), Lifetime Movies (271), Disney HD (272) and Palladia HD (279) in the EPG. Man, if only we were all so lucky.[Thanks, Dean]
Wide Open West adds an HD trifecta
Man, it has been awhile since Wide Open West subscribers saw a new HD channel hit their EPG. Thankfully, it looks like the drought is over, with FX HD, History HD and FOX News HD coming to Chicago, Columbus, Evansville and Michigan. No word on whether any others are on the way, but let's celebrate this small victory before begging for more, shall we?[Thanks, David]
Charter reaches agreement with Big Ten Network just in time to see Ohio State be totally awesome
Charter's next on the block to add the Big Ten Network and "related programming" in time for Saturday's football openers. No word whether or not this will include the HD version of the network, or if it will be in time for the start of the season, but it is definitely on the way. In a minor footnote, Charter mentioned that in addition to carrying the BTN across its systems in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Northern Illinois it's also reupping Jim Tressel's snazzy sweatervest collection, teaching Terrelle Pryor the correct name of "the University of Ohio State University" and teaching Ohio State how to defend against the spread offense. Good times all around.
Comcast bringing Big Ten Network and more to Adrian, MI
For fans of HD in Adrian, Michigan that haven't already signed up with DISH Network or DirecTV (yeah, all five of you), help is on the way. Comcast will finally be bringing high-definition to Lenawee County later this month after years of pleading from locals. Aside from seeing a number of channels find new homes as many of its analog signals are replaced with digital alternatives, high-definition will apparently be introduced for the first time -- or at least in a substantial capacity. All we know thus far is that Big Ten Network will land just in time for the college football season, though we'll have to wait until August 18th to see what other changes are in store.
Local Edition launching HD newscasts in Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan's first HD newscasts are coming from a rather unusual source: Local Edition. Said channel is getting its ducks in a row in order to start airing local news in high-definition starting July 21st. From what we can glean, it'll only be viewable through Charter, with HD subscribers having to tune to channel 1 and flip through a few on-screen menu options. Nice job showing up the Big 4.[Thanks, Eric]
DISH Network adds four more HD local markets
DISH Network just keeps on cranking down the list of its 22 markets slated for an HD upgrade in the summer/fall, with four going on line today: Albany - Shenectady - Troy, NY; Chattanooga, TN; Lansing, MI; and Syracuse NY. Hope the recent thunderstorms didn't knock anyone's power out, because now you've got one more reason to stay inside. As usual, we don't know what city will be next, but we expect more markets to be added soon.
Bright House adds 8 channels for Detroit, MI customers
Almost as good as the ongoing Tigers win streak is the news that Bright House is delivering a new pack of channels to its Motor City-area customers. With the news that half of its digital customers now enjoy HD service, it's launching Discovery HD, Animal Planet HD, The Learning Channel HD, History HD, Science HD, HGTV HD, and Food HD on the basic lineup for no extra charge, while MGM HD jumps onboard the $6.95 optional HD Package. Expect more updates as the company continues to unleash new channels to its customers across the country, so if these aren't exactly the channels you wanted, just wait a minute, they'll change.[Thanks, Dean]
DISH Network gets official with summer / fall HD locals
Remember those 20-some-odd cities we heard were getting HD locals via DISH Network earlier this year? Yeah, the satcaster has just now gotten around to confirming what we already knew, but it's good to have something to hold 'em to, regardless. As of today, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Memphis, Tennessee can both look forward to seeing their local channels in high-definition, while 22 other markets are on the clock. As for timing, all we know is that these 22 will be launched sometime during summer / fall of 2008, but it looks like you'll be waiting patiently to find out if your market is closer to going live now or later. Tap the read link for the full list of locales.
AT&T celebrates a year of U-verse expansion in Detroit, Michigan
Oh AT&T, you party animal. Just days after dancing the night away in celebration of having U-verse in the always-classy city of San Diego, now you're firing up the club scene again for Detroit. A year after the carrier originally brought U-verse services to the city, U-verse TV is now available to over 625,000 living units, and some 1,300 new jobs were created due to "video reform legislation." Currently, said service is available to more than 160 communities in southeastern and western Michigan, and there are already plans in place to expand it further in the state. Party on, we guess.
AT&T quietly enables 2HD / 2SD U-verse service in more cities
Since activating dual HD streams in St. Louis earlier this month, AT&T has seemingly enabled the functionality in a handful of other cities without even an official peep. According to user reports stemming from Atlanta / Alpharetta, Georgia and certain sections of Michigan, they too are enjoying the luxury of recording one high-def program while viewing another live. We fully expect the carrier to spread the 2HD / 2SD service to more of the country here soon, but until it decides to open its own mouth, we'd highly recommend keeping an eye on your box for a certain surprise.
Charter launching 5 new HD channels in Central Michigan
Charter already delivered TLC HD and Discovery HD to Western Michigan early last month, but now the carrier is gearing up to bring five newcomers to the central part of the state. According to a subscriber located in mid-Michigan, TBS HD, Discovery HD, TLC HD, CNN HD and Animal Planet HD are prepared to land on June 3rd (or so says a mailed flier), though there's no word on what slots they will fill or if any others will be following suit. Hey, with U-verse closing in, you've got to keep up appearances, right?[Thanks, Matt]
Detroit's FOX affiliate falls in line, flips news to HD
Early last year, Cleveland became the first city to boast of having a trifecta of HD news channels. Now, however, the Motor City is making sure it keeps up. Reportedly, Detroit's own WJBK / FOX 2 just started serving up newscasts in high-def, but it's not like residents weren't already getting their HD news fix from either WXYZ / ABC 7 or WDIV / NBC 4. Still, there's nothing like a little competition to keep everyone honest, so feel free to take your pick now that the playing field is all leveled up.[Thanks, Jeremy]
West Michigan becomes latest region to get AT&T's U-verse
Not quite three months after AT&T took U-verse to the Motor City comes word that more of Michigan can now tap the aforementioned company for phone, internet and fiber-based TV service. As of now, 40 local communities in West Michigan -- including Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo -- can call up the carrier in order to get U-verse in their home. The provider also notes that those who are just out of reach right now should keep checking in, as it plans to make the service available "to more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis."
