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Comedy Central HD launches today on Cablevision
Comedy Central HD launches today, and Cablevision iO TV subscribers will be the first to see it. According to Multichannel News we can expect 200 hours or so of native HD programming to start, including about 30 episodes of South Park, The Sarah Silverman Program, plus loads of archived stand up and films. Coming up fresh and new for your HDTV is season 13 of South Park, Reno 911, The Flaming Sward of Fire and Krod Mandoon, while The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,and The Colbert Report will get an HD upgrade at a later date. Besides nabbing the exclusive, Cablevision's trumpeting its numbers showing HD penetration is up to nearly 50 percent of iO TV subs, with 69 HD channels available. Otherwise, DirecTV and Cox will be adding later this month with more launches due later in the year -- hopefully Time Warner worked that into the latest deal with Viacom.[Via Multichannel News]
Verizon FiOS TV: now with at least 100 HD channels in every market
Verizon's FiOS TV may still be trailing DirecTV / DISH Network in total high-def channels, but the century mark ain't nothing to scoff at. The operator has recently announced that it's offering up at least 100 HD channels in every single one of its markets, though it didn't mention how soon it planned on infiltrating the vast majority of the country that is still operating sans FiOS TV service. We know it's important to look after your current customers, but the real revenue is in those consumers you've yet to hook. Keep those expansions coming, okay Verizon?
Comcast throws in ten HD channels in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids just got eight high-def channels in mid-December, but already the cable carrier is adding ten more in order to keep the competition fierce between it and AT&T. As of now, locals can find Travel HD (183), MGM HD (216), Spike HD (HD), Nick HD (228), Toon Disney HD (238), Lifetime HD (239), Fuse HD (250), ESPN HD (257), IFC HD (260) and WE HD (261). Not bad Comcast, not bad at all.[Thanks, Corey]
TWC adds in four HD channels in San Antonio, Texas
While the eyes of geek lovers in San Antonio, Texas may have been focused on CES this week, at least one local realized that a handful of fresh HD channels showed up. Effective immediately, locals can find KSAT HD (112), NBC-WOAI HD (104), Showtime HD (182), Showtime West HD (183), Starz HD (383), Starz West HD (388), TMC HD (186) and Universal HD (164) on the EPG, and if you're into SD content too, hit the read link to have a look at all sorts of new standard-def options. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jason]
Time Warner Cable adding four more HD networks in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC residents were pretty satisfied with 20 or so new HD channels at the tail end of last year, but apparently Time Warner Cable is really feeling the pressure from recent entrant AT&T. Now, Triangle citizens can start preparing for four more to hit the EPG on February 13th: USA HD (258), Bravo HD (259), CNBC HD (266) and SciFi HD (267). Don't take this personally TWC, but we appreciate the favor, AT&T. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Paul]
No lie, Disney spells out its Blu-ray plans for 2009
At 70-years old, it's hard to think of Pinocchio as a boy anoymore, but he'll be coming to life on Blu-ray as part of Disney's 2009 Blu-ray releases. Approximately seven titles will be released in the Blu-ray+DVD combo packs that families love for portability, including classics that will get the Platinum Edition treatment, like "Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Platinum Edition." All in all, the Mouse will be turning more than 30 titles loose in North America on Blu-ray, with about 14 packaged with a DisneyFile digital copy for the kids' viewing enjoyment. If you (or your kids) need to know what to watch for, hit the link for details.
Cox Communications talks up new On Demand platform
We've yet to see this for ourselves, but tipster Adam has informed us that Cox Communications is talking up a new On Demand platform via commercials. In fact, the spots have also led us to believe that a new software update will soon be available for the carrier's set-top-boxes, presumably one based on the Aptiv platform. Pictured above is a quick snap of what the future VOD system will look like, though we're sadly unaware of whether this rollout will be hitting everyone or just a select few. Couldn't hurt to ping your local office and ask, though.[Thanks, Adam]
Australia's Seven, Nine and Ten not leaping to add new digital channels
Australia's Seven, Nine and Ten -- the three free-to-air networks in the country -- are now free to launch new digital channels to supplement their current offerings, but on the whole, there's not much excitement about doing so. Thus far, the only one that has even announced plans to launch a new channel with distinct programming is Ten, which hopes to debut a 24-hour HD sports channel dubbed One. If everyone would follow suit, the commercial networks alone could offer a total of nine stations with unique programming. Sadly, the networks have known about this opportunity for two years now, but it seems to us that everyone might be waiting around for another to seriously approach the opportunity before they follow suit. Monkey see, monkey do, right?
Analysts ponder Charter, Univision futures as debt payments loom
We've known for years that Charter Communications isn't what you'd call a "stellar" cable operator, but we had no idea things were looking this dire for the outfit. According to a new report surfacing at Reuters, the St. Louis-based MSO is currently holding a net debt of around $21 billion, and it has purportedly said that it may need to "go into bankruptcy to deal with that burden." In order to stay afloat this long, it has "refinanced and extended its maturities every year since 2004," and just before Christmas it asked a longtime financial adviser to "start talks with bondholders to boost its financial flexibility." In related news, things aren't looking much brighter for Spanish-language media giant Univision, which recently reported a stiff 25% drop in automotive advertising. For awhile, it seemed the media firms were almost untouchable, but the recent downturns in the economy could be taking their toll on a few mainstays. Ah well, at least Charter subscribers can now somewhat justify those rate increases... somewhat.
Elmira-Corning, NY viewers to finally get ABC and CBS in high-def
Just in time for the NFL playoffs and March Madness, TV viewers in the Elmira-Corning, New York area will suddenly have lots more to cheer about when firing up the tube. ABC affiliate WENY-TV, alongside CBS affiliate WENY-DT2, will finally deliver programming to locals in high-definition "within the next week or two." The addition of ABC and CBS in HD to the area has been a long time coming, and it's actually being pushed back a few days as the network waits for a few last minute hardware acquisitions to arrive. HD channel additions are always welcome, but getting broadcast stations in high-def... now that's something special.
Comcast pushes 7 new HD channels to Lansing, MI subscribers
How's this for coincidence? Just days after AT&T announced that it would be making its U-verse TV available in Lansing, Michigan, out pops a few new high-def stations in the area courtesy of Comcast. According to a local who's kicking around watching TV on the first day of 2009 (good choice, by the way), Cartoon Network HD, Planet Green HD, Fox News HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Speed HD, E! HD and Biography HD have shown up. Nice way to start off what's looking to be the best year of all time, eh?[Thanks, ElanVital]
TWC drags another half dozen HD channels to San Diego, CA
San Diego, Time Warner Cable is lookin' out for you. Just days after three, then four HD channels dropped in, we've now received word that another half dozen have emerged in the lineup. As of now, locals should be seeing MLB Network HD (789), HBO East HD (610), Showtime East HD (651), TMC East HD (663), Versus HD (741) and Golf HD (767). At this rate, you folks should be well into the thousands by New Year's Eve 2009.[Thanks, Michael]
MLB Network goes live tomorrow, January 1st
Good news, baseball fans -- starting at 6:00PM ET tomorrow, you'll have all the action you can handle, anytime of the year. If your provider is signed on to begin offering MLB Network, that is. Said channel is expected to begin airing in some 50 million homes tomorrow, and the League has high hopes that its 24-hour baseball channel will end up paying for itself ($50 million to launch, give or take) over time. We're hearing that deals with new carriers are being finalized "every day," with agreements already in place with DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications. As of now, the station is expected to broadcast 26 regular season matchups in 2009, and it's hoping to acquire even more tilts after current TV contracts expire in 2013. For a look at the studios in which you'll be peering at in a matter of hours, check the read link for galleries.[Via Reuters]
DISH Network adds The Dark Knight to 1080p on-demand movie lineup
Here's an indication of just how important The Dark Knight is to the movie / content industry. DISH Network has just pushed out a bona fide press release solely to announce that the aforementioned film is now available via its 1080p on-demand service. Customers of the satcaster who skipped out on the Blu-ray version and would rather just rent can spend their New Year's Eve trying to figure out if Batman's voice can possibly go any deeper without exploding for just $6.99.
Cox gifts Kansas subscribers with three more HD channels
Good news, Kansas -- not only has Cox gone live with the two high-def stations it promised it would, but it's apparently bringing along three others. According to a local, FOX News HD (605), AMC HD (639) and Cartoon Network HD (640) have all emerged on the EPG, and we reckon we speak for everyone in saying that there's hardly anything more awesome than new HD channels that you weren't expecting.[Thanks, Kevin]
TWC lines up eight more HD channels in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus-area TWC subscribers were just blessed with sixteen new high-def channels over the past little bit, and according to a new report from The Columbus Dispatch, these same folks will see eight more in January. There's no mention of what exactly those channels will be, but we are told that the Start Over service has been expanded to eight areas in Central Ohio and should be available to all at the beginning of next year. Oh, and while this is completely unofficial, we'd say you can probably send a thank you letter to AT&T for applying pressure where it counts. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Deluxe Lounge HD music channel launches on Germany's Deluxe Television
Munich-based Deluxe Television has just launched an all new music channel in high-def, Deluxe Lounge HD. For now, the station is being broadcast on Kabel BW's cable systems in the region-state of Baden-Württemberg, and while it's currently being distributed free-to-air, the signal is scheduled to be encrypted in early 2009. The station is said to be completely commercial free and shows only content that was originally produced in high-definition; according to founder and CEO Markus Langemann, the channel aims to "offer pure relaxation for eyes and ears." If Deluxe Television has its way, it'll be available on many more systems in the near future, and we can't imagine any HD-lovin' German being opposed to that.
KHNL NBC 8 launches HD news in Hawaii
Sure University of Hawaii games are still stuck in SD, but Hawaiian viewers are getting another local HD source this year, as KHNL has moved into new digs and started dishing out high definition news every night on the 22nd. Check the video after the jump for a glimpse at the finished newsroom and its many HDTVs, or just stop by the corner of Waiakamilo Road and Kalani Street and say hello.
Three more HD channels come to Springfield, IL's Comcast lineup
As the wave of new HD channels continues to roll around and hit random Comcast systems across the nation, Springfield, Illinois has become the latest city to get gifted. Just in time for New Year's Day, locals in the area can find FOX News HD, FX HD and SPEED HD on slots 950, 948 and 946, respectively. The new trio brings the total HD adds since April to 25, and we're certain subscribers in the region are hoping the end isn't anywhere in sight.
HDi streaming technology could open up "virtual cable television"
FilmOn.com may not have the name recognition in America as does YouTube and Hulu, but its creator could be making a name for himself with the online video portal's underlying technology. Alki David founded FilmOn some three years back, and has since developed an advanced streaming protocol dubbed HDi (no, not that HDi). The technology could eventually be used to deliver high-definition cable TV programming and other video-on-demand options around the globe without any lag or stutter; we're even told that Britons could catch the local news in Iowa if the ideal scenario comes to fruition. So far, David has inked deals with a number of content providers, though only Turner Network Television was specifically named. FilmOn is expected to showcase its "virtual cable television" tech to BT next month, which could certainly accelerate the expansion of HDTV by enabling it to flow over existing internet delivery pipes. Consider our interest markedly piqued, especially for HD-deprived souls overseas.
