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OpenTV brings movie portal application to Canada's Bell TV
For Bell TV subscribers looking for hints of anything new, we've finally something to share with you. OpenTV, an interactive TV middleware provider, has just launched a "movie portal application" that will deliver content from programming partner Super Channel. As expected, it provides viewers with a "themed search option, as well as a scheduling option that lets viewers set up recordings and reminders several weeks in advance of a movie's broadcast." Underneath, this seems to be just another attempt to highlight certain programs and get non-subscribers to subscribe, but when new material is this hard to come by, it's tough to complain.
Time Warner Cable brings four more HD channels to San Diego, CA
TWC's been hooking San Diego, California up good fashion of late, and just in case you weren't satisfied with what the latest rounds of additions were packing, in comes four more just before Santa sashays down the chimney. As of today, locals will find USA HD (734), CNBC HD (749), SciFi HD (757) and Bravo HD (740) in the EPG, though we'll take the rare opportunity to suggest you hang with the fam for awhile and let these simmer until the in-laws depart. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family] [Thanks, Michael]
Peoria, IL gets another three HD channels courtesy of Comcast
Peoria and surrounding areas in Illinois already picked up 22 new HD channels back in May, but knowing just how unsatisfied high-def junkies are, we're sure locals are already itching for a few more. As of now, resident Comcast subscribers can find FOX News HD, FX HD and SPEED HD on the EPG, though there's no indication that more are on the way. 'Tis a shame too, given that your door is probably frozen shut right now, leaving you no alternative but to turn to HDTV for entertainment.
Bright House Networks to host up MLB Network HD in Tampa Bay
We get the feeling that we'll see quite a few carriers proudly announcing carriage deals with MLB Network during the run-up to its launch (January 1, 2009), and Bright House Networks is getting us started by promising its Tampa Bay, Florida customers the channel come the new year. Starting in 2009, MLB Network will be available in SD on digital cable channel 159 and in HD on slot 744, and Joe Durkin, senior director corporate communications at the carrier, has confirmed that it will be added at no extra charge. For those unaware, the channel will carry "live games, original programming, highlights, classic games and coverage of baseball events," and its signature show -- MLB Tonight -- is obviously aiming to take viewers away from Karl Ravech, John Kruk and the rest of the gang at ESPN's 'Baseball Tonight.'
BHN gives free premiums for Florida outage, adds 4 new HD nets early
We can't possibly overstate the awesomeness of competition, and it's readily apparent in this here scenario. After many Central Florida-based Bright House Networks customers were left without TV service for around eight hours earlier this month, the outfit made known that small refunds would be given. Now, it's stepping the apology up another notch by promising a free month of Showtime HD, The Movie Channel, Showtime on Demand and TMC on Demand. Additionally, it's adding in those four high-def stations -- SciFi HD (1369), FX HD (1370), Travel HD (1365) and USA HD (1399) -- a few days early, giving you four more to enjoy over the Christmas holiday. Thanks, AT&T.[Thanks, Rob]
Charter brings four new HD channels to St. Louis, Missouri
Charter Communications isn't abstaining from expanding HD channels as the holiday season approaches, as it has announced that four new high-def stations have launched alongside four digital SD nets in St. Louis, Missouri. Available now are Food Network HD (760), HGTV HD (761), National Geographic HD (768), Golf HD (772), Hallmark Movie Channel (122), ReelzChannel (145), American Life TV (146) and The Sportsman Channel (772). According to Steve Trippe, Vice President and General Manager of Charter's St. Louis operations, the carrier now provides "more than 400 HD choices that are instantly available at any time," which definitely does not translate into a remarkable amount of linear HD channels. Still, nice to have a few new ones, right STL?
TWC to give Southern Manhattan its due HD channels
Admit it, south Manhattan -- you felt totally snubbed by Time Warner Cable's recent announcement that your brethren to the north would soon be getting a whole wheelbarrow full of new high-def content. Thankfully, the suits at TWC have realized that south-siders need clarity too, and it's planning to launch a significant amount of fresh HD channels in February. We can't even begin to cover the full list here, so we'll post it up word for word after the break. We know what you're thinking: February?! [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Comcast adds 11 HD nets in Morgan County, Indiana
Comcast subscribers in Martinsville and Mooresville, Indiana have a lot to cheer about this weekend, as they were just recently blessed with eleven new high-definition stations. The newcomers include Animal Planet HD (934), Discovery HD (936), SciFi HD (933), USA HD (939), History HD (941), TLC HD (944), SPEED HD (946), FX HD (948), FOX News HD (950), Cinemax HD (955) and Science HD (957). Users in the area can also expect on-demand programming to hit in 2009, and if this sudden trend continues, we'd expect a number of other Comcast systems to see new HD channels very, very shortly.
Shentel announces plans for 100 HD channels in Shenandoah Valley
Shentel, a telecommunications company that serves the greater Shenandoah Valley, is looking to get with the times in a big way next year. The company is expecting to expand its HDTV services to its subscribers in West Virginia and Alleghany County, Virginia, but we're not just talking one or two channels. Heck, not even one or two dozen. According to David Ferguson, Shentel president, the 31 high-def channels it currently offers could balloon to as many as 100 by the end of 2009. On top of that, Shentel is expected to launch video-on-demand and caller ID on TV as well, clearly signifying that it's ready to take on the big boys in terms of content and features. There's no word on what price increases (if any) will be implemented, but for a hundred high-def stations, we'd say a modest increase is completely warranted.
Shaw launches Big Ten Network HD / Golf HD in Canada
It's a few days behind schedule, but Shaw Cable customers in Canada are now getting not one, but two new sports-related HD channels. Effective immediately, subscribers in the Great North can tune to Big Ten Network HD and Golf HD, both of which are available in free preview form until January 31, 2009. Both networks are falling into the carrier's HD Plus service, which goes for an extra $9 per month.
Internet-based / HDTV content to hit hotels big in 2009
Or, at least that's the impression given off by Acentic's Top Five 2009 Trends for Hotel Television Technology. For those paying attention (and traveling often), lodging venues across the nation have been adding in high-def material at a rapid pace, and that's expected to continue into the new year. Additionally, research asserts that internet-derived material, more WiFi access, additional video-on-demand content and connection pods to link up guest sources will all be part of the shift. With the price of hotels these days, we can safely say we hope all of these changes come at a minimal cost -- and who knows, maybe we'll finally learn in 2009 why an Econo Lodge provides free internet access and a boutique hotel in the middle of everything has the nerve to charge extra.
Mediacom throws CNN, TBS and USA HD to Coralville / Iowa City, IA
Mediacom just added in A&E HD, History HD and SciFi HD in Iowa earlier this month, but now three more are hosted up in the EPG. A local has reported to us that TBS HD (836), CNN HD (837) and USA HD (838) have shown up in Coralville and Iowa City, IA, bringing the grand total in the region to 17 HD channels. A small figure compared to some systems, sure, but we highly doubt anyone in the area will complain over six newcomers in the span of a fortnight.[Thanks, Abdouramane]
TWC gives New York City a new helping of HD channels
TWC made good on a big promise to update the Big Apple's high-def lineup back in April, and now it's hitting the City up with a second wave that's about half as awesome. Reportedly, the carrier has snuck in over a dozen HD channels to the Northern Manhattan system, while a tipster in Brooklyn found that Crime and Investigation HD, TV One HD, G4HD, CNBC HD, USA HD, SciFi HD , Bravo HD, E! HD and QVC HD were all available as of this weekend. At the rate cable carrier's are adding HD channels this holiday season, don't be surprised to get a NYC-sized bundle yourself. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family[Thanks, John]
TV One HD coming to several TWC / Comcast markets
There doesn't appear to be a set time line in place, but TV One is expected to launch an HD simulcast of its SD network soon on several Comcast / Time Warner Cable systems. The channel, which is a self-proclaimed "entertainment television network for African Americans," will first hit TWC's NYC region and Comcast systems in Boston, Chicago, Portland, OR and Seattle. We're told that more regions should find the HD iteration of the channel beginning in early January 2009, and at least initially, some 20% of the content will be shot and aired in high-def; if all goes well, that figure should rise to 40% by 2010.
Sky successfully tests 3D delivery to HD STB, snags 600,000 HD customers
Given that Sky already sounds pretty confident about the possibility of a 2012 Olympics in 3D, we aren't shocked at all to find that its 3D tests have been successful thus far. Nevertheless, the BBC is reporting today that the satcaster has "successfully tested the delivery of 3D programming to a domestic television, via a high-definition set-top box." It has already begun to film a number of events in 3D over the past few months, and now that it has proven to itself that the technology is viable, it's working to find a way to bring it to viewers. In related news, the report also mentioned that Sky's director of strategic product development Gerry O'Sullivan stated that it now had "nearly 600,000 HD customers," and he even insinuated that HD was, in fact, not just "a niche product." That's the spirit, chap![Thanks, Martin]
Comcast delivers 29 HD channels in Seattle / Tacoma, Washington
It's officially the holiday season, and Comcast is officially in the giving mood. Hard though it may be to fathom, the carrier has just unloaded no fewer than 29 new high-definition channels in the Seattle / Tacoma, Washington area. We won't even bother boggling your mind by listing all 29 here, but those ready for an HD overload can hit the read link and prepare to be wowed. 29 new high-def stations in a single day -- that's almost too many to digest at once. Almost.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
VOOM HD networks going kaput in America
Sad to say, but we sort of saw this one coming. After DISH Network decided to ditch the 15 VOOM HD channels earlier this year, it was practically a matter of time before they vanished completely without a surge in support from other providers. Today, Cablevision Systems announced that it would be pulling the final plug on the VOOM HD stations (in America, anyway) in late January. The move will also mean that an undisclosed amount of employees will be out of work, though some staff will remain on to handle international distribution. Joshua Sapan, Rainbow's chief executive, was quoted as saying the following: "It became clear that we can no longer operate Voom domestically, particularly without EchoStar fulfilling its obligations and providing its support." Please tell us we aren't the only ones who just got a mental image of the bitter beer face™.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Comcast adds E!, Toon and Travel Channel HD in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta just picked up three from Comcast in late October, and now the famed Georgia town has another three to mount up on its wall. As the wave of expansion continues, Augusta has been struck with E! HD, Toon HD and Travel Channel HD. Any guesses where Comcast will strike next?[Thanks, Caleb]
TWC brings ABC Family, FX, and SPEED HD to sunny San Diego
TWC may have struck early with two new ones for San Diego back in November, but Cox has been the one laying down the gauntlet of late. To that end, Time Warner Cable is shooting back with a new HD trio for the residents of the California city: ABC Family HD (735), FX HD (752), and SPEED HD (793). We could probably get used to this back-and-forth thing, don't you agree? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Michael]
Cox dumps 14 new high-def stations on Pensacola, Florida
We know it's the season for giving and all, but this is pretty extreme. Cox Communications has sent out a flier to its Pensacola, Florida customers informing them that a staggering 14 new high-definition channels are on the way. Seems about right, though, especially given that the last major HD update in the area came back in early June. We won't bother listing all 14 in this space; instead, we'll direct you to the read link to soak it all in. [Warning: PDF read link][Thanks, Scott]
