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HDTV Listings for February 9, 2009
What we're watching tonight: ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS have the Presidential press conference at 8 p.m. NBC (1080i) lines up Heroes at 9 p.m. and Medium at 10 p.m. Fox (720p) has 24 at 9 p.m. CBS (1080i) airs Two and a Half Men at 9 p.m. followed by The Big Bang Theory and CSI: Miami ABC Family (720p) has The Secret Life of the American Teenager at 8 p.m. and Kyle XY at 9 p.m. USA (1080i) kicks off the 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at 8 p.m. TNT (1080i) brings The Closer at 9 p.m. and Trust Me at 10 p.m. Discovery (1080i) lines up Destroyed in Seconds at 8 & 8:30 p.m. followed by One Way Catapult and Man vs. Wild Versus (1080i) airs Rangers/Devils at 7 p.m.
Rush HD preps an SD channel for Canadian viewers
This one falls a bit outside our weekly expansion roundup, by virtue of being one of the few channels going in the other direction. AdrenalineHD just got approval to launch an SD version of Rush HD in Canada, so long as 95% of its content is the same. Far be it for us to question the laws and standards of the land of Terrence & Patrick, but we're completely taken aback by this one. We guess those former Voom channels have to do anything they can to avoid the fate of Monsters HD.
MTV's Palladia loads up on Grammy nominees this weekend
It doesn't look like Palladia will be getting any (much-needed) brand new content this weekend, but from Friday at 9 p.m. right up until the 51st Grammy Awards begin Sunday evening at 8, expect programming centered around the various nominees. MTV Live: Kings of Leon and Soundstage: Robert Plant will be airing on the network for the first time, plus a long list of artists you've probably seen repeated many times already. Check after the break for the complete list, if you think you can handle it.
Studio 3 Networks' epix is the new home of Lionsgate, MGM & Paramount movies
The joint venture formed by Viacom's Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate finally has a name -- Studio 3 Networks -- and today announced at NATPE '09 that its "next generation home entertainment service" with both broadband delivery and a traditional TV channel (possibly headed to a digital basic lineup near you) will be branded epix. Still most important about the new brand is that due to expiring content deals with Showtime, epix will have exclusive access to Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Films released theatrically on or after January 1, 2008, plus all MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate flicks from the beginning of 2009 on and a release window two months shorter than the 11 months of other pay channels when it launches in the fourth quarter of this year. Still unclear is exactly where we'll be able to enjoy all 17 remastered* James Bond movies, the Indiana Jones series and more in crisp high definition, as Multichannel News caught president Mark Greenberg mentioning epix could find its way to the aforementioned digital tiers to boost satisfaction on HD content, but didn't set any quality expectations for an Internet or VOD experience. Prior to launch, expect VOD Internet access, while afterwards "authenticated" cable subscribers can get access to DVD extra-styled content online. Still, as Download Squad mentioned, first order of business should probably be buying up the epix.com, epix.net or epix.tv domain names since they're already taken.[Via Multichannel News & Download Squad]
HDNet Fights signs up with Ring of Honor wrestling
We're not so sure that we like the direction this might be headed in, but HDNet Fights has signed up with Ring Honor of Wrestling for content, including a weekly series. The professional wrestling promotion was founded in 2002, and with its Code of Honor rules, it was a step away from typical professional wrestling and towards pure catch wrestling, but it's professional wrestling still. We had hoped that HDNet Fights was going to establish itself as a smaller, but still viable alternative to UFC, but this move suggests otherwise. We know HDNet Fights needs to add content, but is there enough audience overlap between professional wrestling and other fight sports that this makes sense? MMA fans, let us know what you think -- does this move water down the brand?
Dr. Strangelove to ride in on Blu-ray this summer
Oh sure, the Cold War is a distant memory for most of us, but the hilarity of Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, um, kills us even 45 years since its release. Which is all the more reason to keep an eye out for the 45th Anniversary Special Edition of the Stanley Kubrick classic starring a whole lot of Peter Sellers set to ship on June 16. The special features announced so far are a little thin (but do sound interesting), so we're hoping that more goodies find their way onto the disc by the time it releases -- there's got to be some great deleted scenes and outtakes that got left on the cutting room floor, especially with Peter Sellers filling so many roles in the movie.
The Simpsons finally making high-def debut
The Simpsons began its twentieth season last September, and now -- at long, long last -- we're going to see Bart, Homer, Lisa and the whole gang in high-definition. Starting on Sunday, February 15th, the American sitcom that has entertained both young and old for decades will make its high-def debut on FOX. Just let this simmer on your mind for a minute, then feel free to explode in comments with extreme jubilation.[Thanks, Michael]
DirecTV adds Comedy Central HD, Engadget HD consolidates HD expansion news
Usually we don't like to post the same news twice, but by the looks of all the tips we've gotten pointing us to the fact that DirecTV added Comedy Central HD -- thanks by the way -- we figured it wouldn't hurt to ride on the exciting news to introduce a new weekly roundup post at Engadget HD. In the past, HD expansions were so few and far between that it was a very big deal around here, but in the past 6 months or so they're so common that we've decided to consolidate them into a weekly post. So from now on you can look for a weekly post with the tag channels that'll include every new HD channel on every provider for that week.
NASA to air HD tour of International Space Station
Just in case you haven't seen enough NASA footage in HD, you'll love the latest 35 minutes captured by Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke. Said crew member, along with flight engineers Sandy Magnus and Yury Lonchakov, has filmed a high-definition tour of the orbiting complex that will be aired as a special Video File on NASA Television's HD Channel 105 at 1:00PM and 3:00PM CST Thursday and Friday (yes, of this week). Of course, it'll also be made available for SD viewers, but where's the fun in that? So, are your DVRing this or what?[Via iTWire]
Cablevision gets official with 15 premium HD channels
We had every reason to believe that these channels were coming, but now Cablevision itself has stepped forward with a confirmation. Starting right about now (and continuing over a three-day period), customers of the carrier with HD set-top-boxes can find 15 new premium movie channels in high-def. Yep, the whole lot consists of HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz and Encore variants, and while it's certainly not admitted, we have all ideas that these were added after the removal of the 15 VOOM HD networks a few months prior. Regardless of the motives, we better not hear a single complaint from movie buffs who happen to get their pay-TV from this carrier.[Image courtesy of Reuben]
A&E brings 'The Beast' to DISH Network's 1080p IP-VOD service
DISH Network's 1080p video-on-demand service may be impressive, but up until now, it hasn't been utilized in any fanciful ways to get outsiders to pay attention. Thanks to a new push from A&E Networks, however, that's all about to change. Said channel's new drama, The Beast, is now available to DISH subscribers with an MPEG-4 HD box via the 1080p IP-VOD platform. Users simply plug in their broadband connection, fire up their set-top-box and surf over to the DishONLINE feature within the 'DVR' menu. Episodes will be made available the day after they air live, and the content is said to be "comparable to Blu-ray Disc." We've got to say, we're totally digging this initiative -- now, if only it were simple to get every other network to follow suit with their own hit shows.
Pelicola aims to bring HD online programming to Philippines
Right, so the online content generated and hosted by Pelicola.tv would theoretically serve the world, but it's hoping to produce localized content that would appeal specifically to Filipino internet users. The online TV portal has voiced its intentions to create "a series of local web shows in high-definition video quality," targeting a specific niche of online viewers who appreciate the higher quality. Reportedly, many in the Philippines tap into the web to get their programming fix, thus making the idea extra luscious in that part of the world. The site is expected to fully launch next month, and we can only hope that it not only thrives, but gives others in various countries 'round the globe similar ideas.
Comcast brings a fresh trio to Philadelphia, PA
While citizens in the Philly suburbs of Willow Grove / Montgomery and Bucks Counties received these three last month, Comcast decided to wait awhile before bestowing them upon the residents of Philadelphia proper. As of now, USA HD, Discovery HD and SciFi HD have all been added, and if you're parked in the City of Brotherly Love, you can find 'em on slots 222, 224 and 226, respectively. The full release is after the break.
AT&T's U-verse TV picking up seven Viacom networks in HD
Just days after AT&T announced that NHL Network HD would be gliding over to U-verse TV, in flies a report stating that Viacom and AT&T have linked up on a sweet new deal. Said agreement will enable seven new networks to join the U-verse TV EPG: MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, BET HD, Nickelodeon HD, Comedy Central HD and Spike HD. The deal also "renews carriage of the MTVN and BETN channels and VOD content featured on AT&T U-verse TV, and provides for carriage of new international channels, including MTV India, later this year." Now, let's wait and see if those monthly rates creep up any after the fact.
ITV programming made available to Virgin Media subscribers
While BT Vision is currently cooking up a way to bring major UK programming to one place via IPTV, Virgin Media is already taking things one step further by bringing thousands of hours of ITV on-demand content to subscribers. The agreement will, in essence, give ITV its largest ever potential on-demand audience -- you know, now that Virgin's 3.5 million customers can view hours upon hours of ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 material at their leisure. We're told that hit shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be "made available for seven days after being broadcast as part of Virgin Media's free Catch up TV service," and there will even be a small subset of HD VOD programming to choose from. Not a raw deal at all for existing / to-be VM subs.
Cablevision's probable VOOM HD replacement channels: they're all premiums
Okay, so Cablevision isn't apt to come right out and say that these newcomers are the replacements for the 15 VOOM HD networks that were marked for deletion late last year, but it may as well have. Coincidentally, 15 new high-def channels are reportedly lined up to join the Cablevision EPG in short order, though every single one is a premium movie channel. Encore HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Edge HD, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, HBO2 HD, HBO Latino HD, Action Max HD, More Max HD, @MAX HD, Outer MAX HD and Showtime Too HD are all expected to show up starting on January 21st, with rollouts continuing across all markets until January 23rd. We know, your first reaction is probably something along the lines of "What? All movie channels?," but at least you're getting something out of the deal -- if you opt to pay up, of course. [Thanks, LI PC Tech]
Netherlands' SBS seeking nominal yearly fees to pay for HD broadcasts
No one ever said the spoils of high-definition came free, and no one knows that better than Dutch commercial broadcaster SBS. The outfit is reportedly holding its hand out and covering its face while asking for payments between €2 to €3 per year, per subscriber, from cable operators in order to pay for HD broadcasts. That's according to Eric Eljon, MD of SBS Productions, who hopes to begin high-def simulcasts within a few months should a deal be reached. In The Netherlands today, there is no license fee at all, with the public broadcasting system paid for out of the general budget; additionally, there's currently no way to recoup the massive increase in cost when switching to HD via advertising alone. C'mon, cable carriers / consumers -- just think of the HD starved children.[Thanks, Wouter]
Sky could open up HD launch queue
DigitalSpy is reporting that Sky (no relation, we're told) is currently "studying the technical feasibility of opening a new electronic program guide launch queue for high-definition channels." In October of last year, the operator closed up its launch queue -- which is what channels use to secure a new slot on Sky's EPG -- after finding that many SD receivers had serious memory constraints. Now, however, Sky is pushing out a software update that "differentiates between those boxes and the HD ones," and it's hoping that these SD units will eventually cooperate while HD services are added. All fingers crossed for everything to pan out.[Image courtesy of MediaUK]
MTVNHD & Nick Jr. going Deutsch
It's a promise, in 2009 Germany get MTVNHD and Nick Jr. distribution. Sure, they may not be quite on time but this is a new year and we're forgetting about the past. MTV Networks Germany didn't let slip which broadcaster(s) would be putting the channel on the air, but MTVNHD is due in the early part of the year with Nick Jr. following, although until then you can get your Nick fix while it replaces the Palladia loops on weekend mornings.[Via HDTV Total]
Numericable brings Ushuaia HD / Eurosport HD to French subscribers
We heard that Numericable was planning to deliver a few new high-def channels to its lineup late last year, and while it has definitely taken longer than locals would have liked, it's hard to complain with new HD channels in Europe -- belated or otherwise. Effective immediately, subscribers interested in watching Ushuaia HD and / or Eurosport HD can select the Premium package in order to tune in, and we're also told that SciFi HD and 13th Street HD should join the party in the near future. In related news, a multi-year agreement between the cable carrier and TF1 will give customers access to TF1 HD, so yeah, even more reason for applause.Read - Ushuaia HD additionRead - Eurosport HD additionRead - TF1 agreement
