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Cablevision expands HD lineup with CNN HD
Hot on the heels of Charter's decision to add The Weather Channel HD, Cablevision is claiming that its users will be able to check out CNN in high-definition. Reportedly, CNN HD will be the operator's 42nd HD "service" available to customers, and it's being made available to everyone gratis on iO TV channel 725. John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice president of product management, boasted that the firm's HD lineup has "nearly doubled in size over the last year," but unfortunately, he didn't throw out any wild claims for the future for us to hold 'em to.
Charter adds Weather Channel HD to lineup
While receiving The Weather Channel HD may not send everyone into jubilant fits of celebration, we're pretty sure Charter Communications' customers won't be kvetching about additional HD options. Apparently, any Charter customer that can currently receive HD programming will be blessed with the new channel, and Becky Powhatan, executive vice president for distribution and business affairs and general counsel for The Weather Channel, also insinuated that customers in every region could benefit from the HD enhancements to the popular "Local on the 8s" segment. So, dear Charter customers, have you seen the channel go live?
FIOS quietly adds Discovery HD in some markets
There are some things that we just love to be wrong about. We theorized about why Verizon's FIOS only added one new HD channel in six months, while other providers were adding them in record numbers. Shortly after, Verizon announced major HD expansion plans for 2008 and now customers are reporting on AVS, that Discovery HD is showing up on channel 846. Oddly enough, there isn't any guide data yet, we'd guess they're waiting for the official launch. At this point it's hard to tell which markets are the lucky ones, but we can tell you that it's on in at least Tampa, Northern Virgina, and South Jersey. There have been a few rumors about five new HD channels being added by the end of '07, but up till now we haven't had any reason to believe them. As much as we love new HD programming, we'd rather have a different channel, based only the fact that most of Discovery's HD programming is already available on HD Theater and the most of the rest is upconverted and stretched.
Verizon reveals plan to launch 150 HD channels by the end of '08
Verizon FIOS customers have been feeling left out of the great HD race lately. Sure they have access to some of the fastest Internet connections in the US, but at a time when other providers are adding HD goodness in record number, FIOS customers only got one new HD channel in the past six months. Well the big V has finally broken its silence and promises that starting in the spring it'll deliver more 60 new HD channels, -- on a market by market basis -- and will have more than 150 HD channels by the end of 2008. Of course this begs the question, why is it going to take so long? Seriously, it's not like they have to wait for a satellite to launch or something. It's almost as if there's a limitation in their current infrastructure.
NBA TV HD launches on DirecTV and DISH
Just in time for the start of the NBA season, NBA TV HD launches on both DirecTV and DISH Network. Every major sports league needs their own channel and now NBA steps up to HD, bringing over 70 national HD games to their subscribers. In addition, they'll have 24 hours of programming, but who knows how much of that will actually be HD. At this point we've lost count of how many HD channels these two providers carry and wonder how many big time NBA fans are going to give up on their cable provider -- assuming they haven't already.
Comcast adds seven HD channels to Houston market
Not to be outdone by Time Warner Cable in San Antonio, it looks like Comcast is getting in on the "add HD channels" craze. Well, at least in the Houston market it acquired from TWC this summer. Additions to the lineup include the HD-flavors of: National Geographic, USA, A&E, History Channel, HGTV, Food Network and CNN. With this move, Comcast reaches 30 HD channels in Houston. Sure it's no wave of channels like DirecTV is experiencing, but kudos to Comcast for making sure its newly-acquired customers didn't feel like they were forgotten about. If they can get some of that TiVo goodness out to Houston, that would be icing on the cake.
Time Warner Cable expanding HD lineup in San Antonio
It's that time again -- you know, the moment when San Antonians that rely on Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) can look forward to even more HD channels when they flip on the set. TWC has been doing its part to add a (small) number of high-definition stations of late, including a few here in the Raleigh market this month, and those dwelling in south-central Texas should now be able to view the Lifetime Movie Network (LMN), Food Network HD, HGTV HD and The History Channel HD. We know, it's not the most enthralling list of additions, but hey, we'll take what we can get.
Superstation WGN going HD in November
A keen eyed observer at DBSTalk.com noticed that Superstation WGN updated their FAQ and the last question now asks when it'll go HD. According to the FAQ, it will be available to cable and satellite providers in November. Unfortunately, they don't say what providers or even what will be in HD. We'd be more excited, but with all the new so called HD channels launching lately -- with almost no HD -- these announcements are being more and more meaningless.
Dish Network adds NHL HD to their lineup
Just in time for another season, Dish Network adds the National Hockey League Network to their always-growing HD lineup. NHL HD will sport 50 live regular-season games, classic games, documentaries, and how-to shows; we're wondering how much of the extra features will be in high-def however. The station is already live on channel 403 and 559 for subs with America's Top 100 package or the NHL Center Ice subscription respectively. This new station should calm rabid Hockey fans but they do hold Hockey's dirty, little high-def secret: the sport is, arguably, the best looking programming in high definition.
Orlando's WESH switching on high-def local news
Orlando residents are going to have a choice when it comes to local high-def news when WESH flips the switch on November 1. Back in June of '06, ABC-affiliate WFTV switched on the high-def local feed but within a few days, NBC-affiliate expects to broadcast 35 hours a week of HD local goodness. We can't nail down their exact budget - tends to be in the millions - the station invested heavily into onscreen graphics. For now, Orlandians will have to wait for their other network stations, WKMG and WOFL, to nail down plans but with two networks in the local news biz, they have more choices than most Americans.
DirecTV 11 delayed till Q1 2008
With all the new HD channels DirecTV is launching each week, it's easy to forget they have another satellite in the works. DirecTV 11 -- not to be confused with D10 that's already operational -- was scheduled to launch this year, but due to a delay at the launch company, it has been delayed till Q1 2008. We're not sure how much this will affect their plans for 150 HD channels, but if D10 is any indication, it will take just over two months after the launch to become operational.
Another week, another 10 new HD channels for DirecTV
This is a trend we can't ever get sick of talking about as DirecTV has now added new HD channels every week for the past four weeks. Up this week is a few more channels new to everyone as well as four regional sports networks. We'd bet DirecTV pushed up their normal Wednesday release for Fox Business HD, which happened to launch today. These bring the total new HD channels up to 47 in the past month. There are a few surprises here since Speed HD wasn't expected till next year, but a few we'd expected including, FX HD and Cartoon Network HD. Fox Business is a lot like CNBC HD, but the studio shots are actually in HD, so far it's the only HD we've seen on any of the channels in this batch, but there isn't usually a lot of HD programming on in the morning. Be sure to check out our updated gallery. Fox Business Network (359) HGTV HD (229-1) FX HD (248) Speed Network HD (607) Fuel HD (612) The Cartoon Network (296) %Gallery-8097%
Verizon FIOS to add A&E HD on channel 842
In yet another installment of "what took so long" Verizon FIOS is adding A&E HD in at least the Tampa market -- for now -- on channel 842. This is the first HD addition to the lineup in six months, at a time when most other providers are adding new HD channels in record numbers. We're still trying to get to the bottom as to why Verizon is sitting on the sidelines, and then when they finally do add a new channel, they add one with so little actual HD content. Until then, we'll wait for this channel to show as indicated on scrolling message on channel 49. We dont' know when they'll it for the rest of the country, but it's usually Verizon's practice to add channels near their super head ends, just before the national deployment.Thanks Bryan!
CBS gears up for HD election coverage
Seeing our current president in HD just isn't enough for CBS, which is "readying its technical plant in order to broadcast both political conventions in summer 2008 in high-definition." Reportedly, the network is hoping to have its new HD control room ready to roll for the Democratic National Convention in Denver next August and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis the month after. Furthermore, CBS is also looking to beam out the Evening News with Katie Couric in glorious HD, which should become a very real possibility as soon as the aforementioned control room is fully overhauled.
Sony's PlayStation 3 to double as IPTV set-top-box
Sony hasn't exactly been shy about expanding the capabilities of its PS3, and according to new reports from The Korea Times, even more non-game-related goodness will be headed its way. Apparently, KT (Korea's primary telecom operator) and Sony will "launch an internet-based TV service in November that runs on the PlayStation 3 game console," and as expected, the machine would act as a set-top-box for KT's IPTV service (Mega TV). Reportedly, neither company was willing to disclose pricing information (or any additional details, for that matter) just yet, so it looks like we'll be forced to play the wait-and-see game for now.[Thanks, Stafford l.]
DirecTV launches yet another 5 HD channels
DirecTV has been telling us that they'd add a lot of HD channels this year and they've come through with a total of 37 new HD channels in the past three weeks. Today there are two that are new to everyone and two old favorites -- and one that was added late last week. First up is CNBC HD, which we gave all the flack to for not actually doing video in HD, but we have to say they've made the most out of what they have, and can even do three SD shots in a single frame, all while displaying plenty of info with HD graphics. MGM HD is also up today and we just love it when movies are presented in their original aspect ratio. We did look ahead in the schedule and it appears MGM HD has a good mix of movies, but most of them are older. Since last Wednesday they also added MHD, so we'll go ahead and throw that in as well. And finally a few old favorites for other providers with National Geographic Channel HD and Food Network HD which is for some reason on 231-1. We've updated our DirecTV gallery with these new channels as well. Food Network (Channel 231-1) MGM (Channel 255) National Geographic (Channel 276) CNBC (Channel 355) MHD (Channel 332) %Gallery-8097%
AT&T U-verse adds more HD channels
U-verse customers will be getting more of their HD fix from the fat pipe on October 15, when AT&T will be adding History Channel HD and Lifetime Movie Network HD to the lineup. Also, three more HD channels are reported as "on deck" for U-verse: CNN HD, Animal Planet HD and Versus/The Golf Channel HD. There is also SD programming being added to the service and a smattering of international channels (as premiums), but we'll let you read on through for details on those. Good news for U-verse, but it doesn't make Verizon's FIOS drought any easier to stomach.
TBS HD continues its roll, comes to AT&T U-Verse
We're beginning to feel like a broken record with all the TBS HD announcements, but in a good way. More HD is always welcome, right folks? This time around, TBS HD announced carriage with AT&T's U-Verse. Even though the killer content on TBS HD is the MLB playoff coverage, the carriage deals establish a beachhead for (hopefully) more good things to come. After all, it's not so easy/pleasant to take a channel away from customers after it's been given to them.
Dish adds TBS HD too, where's FIOS?
Dish subscribers only missed a few HD MLB playoff games, but now they get to enjoy the rest because yesterday TBS HD showed up. We're not keeping score, but we believe that Verizon's FIOS is the last hold out. Only the most devout HD baseball fan would switch providers just to watch the playoff in HD, but we're sure there will be a few; especially if Verizon continues to extend this six month HD dry spell while every other provider is adding HD channels at a record pace.
Just say no to stretch-o-vision
This issue never stops bothering us, and every time a new HD channel is launched and they decide to try and alter their non HD content to make it look more like HD; it makes us sick -- literally. While local stations have been doing this for years, the original national so called HD channel to do it was ESPN HD. After years of complaints and ridicule from their peers, they finally wised up and added side bars. Unfortunately, other networks can't learn from their mistake and now we have a whole slew of channels bringing us hours of stretch-o-vision everyday . The reason to not stretch is very simple; every TV and HD STB made today has it's own stretch/zoom modes, so if your viewers want to watch 4:3 content in it's altered state, they can. But when you stretch on your end, there's no way for anyone to unstretch it -- especially when a network uses advanced non-liner stretches with a taste of zoom. To make things worse, many times they mark this content as HD in the guide, almost as if they think that just because they upconvert/crop/stretch SD, that makes it HD -- hey guys you're not fooling anyone. Here's the list of offenders, click thorough to the read links for details. TNT HD TBS HD A&E HD History Channel HD Discovery Channel HD The Learning Channel HD Animal Planet HD Science Channel HD [Via DBSTalk]
