nfl
Latest
NFL HD Programming on DirecTV CH 95
We had a good feeling about this, we mentioned it on our NFL Preseason post and on our last Podcast, and we were very happy to get confirmation this morning. The Jets vs. the Buccaneers this morning was the first HD Preseason game replayed on the NFL network and it was on DirecTV channel 95. If you missed it you can catch the next one tomorrow at 2pm when the New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans. As always you can check out the entire HD schedule at HDSportsguide.com.
Time Warner to get ESPN2HD & ESPNU soon; NFL Network, not so soon
We have great news for college football and NHRA fans alike, but bad news for NFL fans on Time Warner Cable. First, the good news, Time Warner should have ESPN2HD and ESPNU up and running real soon. A spokesman from the cable company is indicating anywhere from 30-60 days that the stations will launch. Now for the bad, don't expect NFL Network anytime soon. The court battle that has been raging for a few years just ended and NFL fans everywhere won as Time Warner will need to carry the channel but the negotiations are just starting. These things take time. But hey, ESPN2HD is a lot better then nothing.[Thanks, Danny]
NFL HD Preseason schedule
We have all been waiting a long time and this Sunday will be the closest we have been to football in six months. While the rest of the world had their football fix this summer during the World Cup, us Americans have been waiting for the NFL and College football season to begin and while we still have a month or so to wait, we can get a sample this Sunday during the NFL's Hall of Fame game.The Philadelphia Eagles vs. Oakland Raiders game starts at 8PM EST on Sunday and kicks off the NFL pre-season. This game will be brought to us in HD by NBC. This marks their first HD game in almost eight and half years, as NBC moves in and ABC moves out of the NFL business. This are big shoes to fill as ABC put on a great show and we have been less than impressed with NBC's HD productions in the past. This won't be the only HD NFL pre-season game as many games will be produced in HD by their local affiliates, like WFLA in Tampa FL. Like all pre-season games these will be available to the markets from which the teams are from, but like last year the NFL Network is going to replay all the pre-season games and this year when available they will be in HD. The first HD game on the NFL network this year will be N.Y. Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 12th 2006 at 10am EST, which happens to be a replay. The real question as a reader DanMacMan asks: if DirecTV HD subscribers will be able to watch NFL Network games in HD at all? Great question Dan and our sources point to yes on channel 96, but there are some conflicting rumors. We will keep our fingers cross, but we are willing to bet this will happen.We are still hoping that CBS will make a last minute announcement that they produce more than 3 games a week in HD this year, but we're not holding our breath.HDSportguide's NFL ScheduleNFL Network's pre-season Schedule
Sprint-Nextel adds NFL Mobile to normal data subs
For those anxiously awaiting that beloved kickoff in September, Sprint-Nextel has put together an excellent off-season deal that will save you $5.99/month. For those in the know -- and those still curious about this pigskin obsession -- NFL Mobile has not been bundled in with the Vision and Power Vision data plans in the past. All that changes for the 2006-2007 season as any normal data customer can now access all the functions previously reserved for paying fans. You'll get (almost) up-to-the-second updates of scores, stats, injuries, game-changing alerts, and even video highlights from in-game and post-game content. If you're an NFL fan and aren't tied up in one of those pesky multi-year contracts with some other provider, now would probably be a good time to break off a couple defenders -- like your significant other, for starters -- and take advantage of the signing bonus. [Via MobileTracker]
Pay to WATCH Madden 07 (if you're stupid)
Hey guess what? If you're an idiot that can't stand to wait for even a shred of Madden 07, you can grab a pay-per-view preview of the game starting August 4th. That's right, a behind the scenes marketing video -- the kind that most companies freely distribute on the Internet -- will be available on your TV for a mere 20 dollars American. EA and ESPN should be reviled for this, and rightfully so. The sad thing is that this will make money for EA. There are people stupid enough to pay EA to advertise a product they were already planning on buying. So, in conclusion, if any of you are even considering this, don't. You'll be feeding the hungriest damned company around and likely starting a very bad trend. Sorry for the rant, but this is absolute BS.[Via Joystiq]
Games surpassing TV, bringing us closer to 'real' sport
New York Times has published an article examining the potential of virtual sports as a means for understanding the intricacies of success in real world sports. Using Madden as an example, NYTimes suggests that the future of EA's franchise "may lie in a renewed emphasis on teamwork and a new appreciation for careful preparation before the big game."This year's cover athlete, Seahawk's running back Shaun Alexander, has pressed the development team to consider transforming Madden from a one-on-one experience to a team game. Imagine the emergence of Madden clans, each player dedicated to a skill position, all are working together to win. EA hasn't yet dedicated itself to this task, but with gaming headed online, it's certainly a direction the developers should pursue.And, with games like the recently released NFL Head Coach, the Steelers' Bill Cowher reminds us that video games are already teaching us far more about the grueling process of success in the NFL than we could ever gather from watching 60 minutes of game time on Sunday.[Note: NYTimes article requires registration to access online.]
Dish & NFL Network make a deal
NFL fans who are Dish Network subscribers or thinking of signing up have more to cheer about, as they have made an agreement with NFL Network that will include the channel on Dish's America's Top 60 $29.99 package, full-time HD broadcast, and all of NFL Network's regular season games in high definition. Customers with DishHD Bronze or higher will get the 24-hour HD NFL Network. Everybody wins here, customers can get get more high-def for less money, sports fans know that with the NFL Films archive to draw from no one has a better library of content than NFL Network.
NFL to replay to HD games later that week
So far today we have covered soccer, golf (Happy Gilmore), hockey and sports programming. Sorry folks if you aren't a sports fan; oh and to new readers, it's not usually like this. Next up today is the NFL. The league is going to rebroadcast the weekends top games later that week on the NFL Network. Best of all, and the reason we are talking about it here at HD Beat, is that these select games will be in high definition. You can expect to see these games the following Tuesday and Wednesday on the NFL Network. Hey, more HD programming the better - even if you already knew the outcome of the game.
Dolphin Stadium 720p HDTV (worlds largest) unveiled
A while back we told you the Miami Dolphins were building the largest high definition television in the world, They showed it off yesterday for the season ticket holders and now we have video. Even in this relatively low resolution video you can see the incredible clarity and detail present in the 720p LED screen. Although having high definition at the game may seem like overkill, we're sure many of you are buying Dolphins' tickets right now and with good reason.There are actually two of the screens, as you'll notice in the video, both high definition but one is bigger at a stunning 1750 inches. Is Dolphin Stadium going to be the first one where fans buy tickets for a better view of the big screen? Allow stadium jealousy for every other NFL team to begin now.[Via digg & IseWise thanks for the tip!]
NFL is only now considering HDTV-based instant replay?
We're sure there are some Seahawks fans who think 1080i should have been in use during this past Super Bowl. Buried in this otherwise mundane article about the NFL considering more overseas games is a blurb about the director of officiating visiting NASCAR this weekend. He's checking out their on site HDTV displays that cover every camera angle shown in a race, and is considering switching to high definition for instant replays.We at HD Beat certainly appreciate the tough job referees have, but we think it would be much easier if for example during every instant replay, they went over to our friend Hoyt's theater to take a better look at things. We have much experience in these situations, and can say with absolute certainty that our blind mothers could call a game more accurately while sitting on the couch watching HD than (some) referees.Seriously, a 106" screen versus whatever little TV the ref usually looks at on the sidelines, its not even a comparison. Now the only question is what technology: projection, CRT, flat panel, plasma, LCD, DLP?
The NFL in iTunes?
According to Market Watch, the NFL's internet licensing deal expires in May, and they've gone shopping for a replacement. They're supposedly in talks with several vendors, including Apple. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said that they're "...wide open" to all sorts of possibilities, which probably means they're waiting to see who has the biggest bank account.The college bowl games did well when they were made available in the iTMS earlier this year, and I believe that the CSTV programs [iTunes link] are also popular. So maybe Apple has a chance. I'm certain their pockets are deep enough.[Via Tunevision]
NBA & NFL are playing games with(out) my HDTV
It's another Sunday, I'm relaxing with a cold Dos Equis trying to watch more sports in high definition and again my HDTV is left wanting. Yeah theres the Olympics on NBC but seriously, there is no need to show an entire cross country ski race, even in 1080i. They don't show a whole marathon do they?Much like two weeks ago, ABC played hot potato with their HD, the first game between the Spurs and Pacers was not in high definition, although the second game with Detroit at Miami was (btw Dwyane Wade is incredible). Both games came down to the wire, but the first could have been so much better.And now, I'm (trying) to watch the Pro Bowl on ESPN, and it's SD? What a joke. ESPN has two high definition channels going to waste if you're not going to broadcast the all star game properly, and in beautiful Hawaii. Must I remind people where one of the best HD shows (Lost) is filmed? At least the NBA will have that right, not only will they have the All-Star game in high definition on TNT, they'll even broadcast the practices (Saturday February 18 at noon) so crisply it'll feel like the coach is yelling at you.Are they scared by NBC's glitchy Olympics coverage? I just don't get it. Somebody wake me when Grey's Anatomy starts.
The Superdome will be back this fall, and with HD
After the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, it seemed doubtful that football would ever be played in the Superdome again, but the NFL announced shortly before Super Bowl XL that the Saints will be playing actual home games starting September 24th next season against the Atlanta Falcons. The league has announced they will be putting in as much as $20 million of the projected $182 million it will cost to repair and renovate the stadium with most of the rest coming from insurance and FEMA.Part of the renovation will include a huge high definition scoreboard much like the one in New Orleans Arena. They also plan to renovate the luxury boxes, hopefully they will take a look at our buying guide before they make a final decision there.
Did you take advantage of the Super Bowl?
Well, the game is only a few hours away and if you haven't got your new HDTV yet, you better have a big truck and be able to find one in stock. We all know by now that this last week is huge for HDTV sales, but we are curious to know if you bought one because you are a true fan or because the true fans bring down the price for the rest of us.Don't get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of a great sale, but did the Super Bowl really have any barring on purchasing a new HDTV? There really was some great sales to be had, and we are sure the retailers and manufacturers are going to announce "record HDTV" sales in a few weeks, but did you take advantage of it?Me? No. I love the Super Bowl and football alike, but it did not drive me to purchase a new HDTV. Maybe if I was hosting the party this year, a bigger one would be cool, but not this time around. Maybe next year though.
What's on HDTV today: Not the NBA
I woke up excited to check out the basketball games today. The stars are out:, Lebron James, Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Chauncey Billups and more, but despite an excellent first game to the triple header, today is definitely a bust.Three games: Cleveland vs. Phoenix, Houston at Miami, and Pistons vs. Lakers, but I'm only going to see one of them in high definition, and if you don't live near one of the home teams, you may not even get that. The Detroit Pistons game will be broadcast locally in 1080i by WB20, as many of their home games are, but it will also be available nationally on ESPN, however not in HD. Neither of the two earlier games were broadcast in high definition on ABC. I don't know if this is due to local licensing agreements (what I suspect keeps ESPN from broadcasting the Pistons game in HD tonight) or what, but David Stern needs to take care of this. With no NFL on this weekend, the NBA is the only game in town. Sports fans love their high definition, but with none available my attention is wandering over to the X-Games and Arena League football. If I want to catch some HD sports, my best bet at the moment is probably Gotham TV on my Xbox 360.With all the expenses paid to broadcast and view games in high definition, how professional basketball can simply ignore national high definition broadcasts is a mystery to me. It seems the NFL is taking a page from the NBA's book and broadcasting some games themselves, but maybe more is needed for professional basketball to continue to grow as HDTV adoption does.Update: Apparently the NBA is more on the ball than I thought, the Miami game switched to HD later on, and the Pistons - Lakers game is available in high definition on both WB and ESPN, unlike games earlier in the season which were nationally broadcast only in SD. More later, I'm watching the game. (Go Pistons)
NFL Network moving to Prime time.
We love our NFL football here at HDBeat, so much that we watch NFL Game of the Week in HD every week on the NFL network. Well, those of us that are blessed with the network. Sorry Time Warner and Charter cable customers.Currently the NFL Game of the Week is the only HD show from the NFL network. Now that the NFL has decided to move to prime time, starting in 2006 they will show 8 NFL prime time games. I assume that these games will be presented in our favorite format. Previously there were talks with Comcast to have the games on OLN, but the NFL gave them the slip. So it's time to call your provider to ensure that you can watch the first game on Thanksgiving night, between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. Which of course means I won't be able to enjoy the game in HD since my parents don't have an HDTV. Doh!
Comcast, NFL Network-HD team up in Detroit
Everybody is getting ready for Superbowl XL, and for those of us in the Detroit area that includes Comcast and the NFL Network. The NFL Network isn't normally available full-time in HD here, but it has shown up in the last few days. According to Multichannel News, the two are working together to provide access to residents and those just in town for the game. Up until February 7th, you'll be able to view NFL Network on analog cable as well as NFL Network HD on digital cable.Hopefully this leads to NFL Network always being in high definition on Comcast, the NFL has one of the largest libaries with all their NFL Films content.
HDTV Listings for January 22, 2006
What we're watching: With just four teams left vying for two Super Bowl spots, it's all about the high-def pigskin today. The AFC game between the Steelers and the Broncos kicks off at 3 p.m. on CBS. This game is in 1080i, while the NFC game is in 720p. Fox goes deep in their NFL coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Panthers pouncing on the Seahawks. Let's forget which teams we want to win for a sec; after you watch a little (or all) of each, drop us a comment with your thoughts on the whole 1080i vs. 720p fight. Regardless of the progressive nature that helps sports programming, I'm personally still a 1080i guy as the picture looks clearer to me. How about you? After the jump is our traditional listing of HD programs throughout the night.
So it's really sports fans that are driving HDTV adoption
Or at least thats what the Sports Video Group's survey has uncovered (big surprise, with that name I really doubt the result was going to be most people get high definition for Discovery channel). The "Inside the mind of the HD sports fan" uncovered several statistics that will probably surprise very few of you. 39% of sports viewers are extremely disappointed when an event they want to watch is not in HD 22% will watch an event they otherwise would not have watched because it is in high definition Nearly 50% of HDTV owners cited sports as the reason for their purchase Hopefully the NBA is paying attention to studies like this, far too many times this season I've had to watch games in SD because they were not broadcast in high definition, or were not broadcast in HD nationally.
HDTV Listings for January 14, 2006
What we're watching: Two of the best AFC teams in the NFL take to the 1080i gridiron on CBS tonight. The Patriots step up to Mile-High Stadium to tackle the Broncos at 8 p.m. and this game could go either way. If for any reason the game gets one-sided (which I doubt), I'll be jacking in to "The Matrix" on TNT-HD at 10:30 p.m. for a 1080i showing. The Oracle already told me who wins the football game anyway... After the jump is our traditional listing of HD programs throughout the night.
