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Clevelanders getting four new HD channels from TWC in March
Regrettably, Clevelanders (and most others in Northeast Ohio) will have to wait a month longer before getting to view four new high-definition channels through Time Warner Cable, but at least you've got four new reasons to make it through February, right? According to a legal notice posted on the carrier's website, A&E HD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD and History Channel HD will be added to the lineup as of March 4th, and apparently, a number of channel positions that you may be used to could be shifting around as well. Keep an eye on your listings, however -- these four newcomers just might show up earlier than anticipated. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Roosevelt]
TBS HD and National Geographic HD come to TWC customers in Rochester, NY
Although it seems as if the HD expansion craze is still tiptoeing around Manhattan, those situated in Rochester, New York are certainly enjoying a pair of newcomers on Time Warner Cable. Effectively immediately, TBS HD and National Geographic HD are live and ready for viewing on channels 1049 and 1055, respectively, and while we're not told exactly what other high-definition additions will come later this year, a recent e-mail sent out to call centers does make mention that more could be (and should be) on the way soon. As tipster Claude puts it: "It isn't much, but he'll take what he can get." [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Claude]
Five new premium HD channels land on TWC in Albany, New York
One thing is for certain about this -- those holed up in Manhattan clamoring for more HD from Time Warner Cable will only be screaming louder after hearing that the capital city has received yet another dose of high-definition before the state's most notable city. Yep, just a month (and a few days) after Albany received a small bucketful of new HD channels, subscribers in the area are reportedly able to tune into HBO West HD, Cinemax HD, Cinemax West HD, Starz HD and Starz West HD, provided they pay extra for the Premiums, of course. As tipster Mike N. so eloquently puts it: "Not bad for Smallbany!" [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Mike N.]
Time Warner Cable adding more HD in Central Texas
Now that U-verse is rolling into town, Time Warner Cable is looking to give current customers a few more reasons to stick around. According to a sidebar at News 8 Austin's website, the provider will be kicking out seven new additions on January 31st across Central Texas. More specifically, users in the area can expect to see National Geographic HD, The Movie Channel HD, Versus / Golf HD, Fox Business News HD, History Channel HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and Weather Channel HD tossed in at month's end, and while Austin-area residents will see these slotted in the 1,600s, Waco, Temple and Killeen-area subscribers will need to look in the 1,000s. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jay]
Arbitrator orders Time Warner Cable to carry MASN
It's been a nasty battle between Time Warner Cable and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, with the latter even going so far as to buy airtime on local North Carolina radio stations pleading for consumers to prod the carrier until MASN appeared on its lineup. Thankfully for fans of the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals (among other squads), an FCC-appointed arbitrator has finally ordered TWC to carry the network after finding that it "deliberately discriminated" against the station. What has yet to be determined from the decision, however, is whether or not customers will be forced to pay extra to receive it, and more importantly, whether or not this presumably lucrative outcome will push MASN to finally make the leap to HD (if TWC doesn't appeal and win, that is). As it stands, the O's and Nats are two of only a few MLB teams with a home channel that doesn't air any of its games in high-definition, but if you're impetuously determined to see your Birds in HD, you could always find an empty seat (or ten) at Camden Yards. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via The Wolf Web, image courtesy of Nasty Nats]
Time Warner Cable brings more HD to Queens, New York
Not even a month after Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) dished out a healthy serving of high-definition offerings in New York's capital city, it appears as if the vast majority of those (along with a few others) are making their way into Queens. According to Matt, Woodside (a neighborhood in Queens, NY) residents can now fetch CNN HD, M HD, History Channel HD, A&E HD, Food Network HD, Lifetime Movies HD, HGTV HD, TMC HD, Versus HD and... NFL HD. No need to wipe your eyes -- as you can see above, NFL HD is indeed situated on channel 795, though we're hesitant to believe that this is the first indication of TWC and NFL Network working out their issues. For customers in the area, why not fire up your STB and flip through the new additions, and while you're at it, drop us a line in comments with what exactly shows up on 795.Update: Apparently, the Staten Island TWC lineup is the same as Woodside's, and in that locale, channel 795 is NHL HD rather than NFL HD. An unfortunate typo, indeed. Thanks, UnnDunn![Thanks, Matt]
Time Warner Cable to trial consumption-based internet billing
If you thought Comcast's alleged data throttling caused a ruckus, get a load of this. Reportedly, Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) is gearing up to trial "consumption-based billing with subscribers in Beaumont, Texas later this year," which it hopes will "reduce congestion of its network by a minority of consumers who pay the same monthly fee as light users." According to a company spokesman, just five-percent of TWC customers suck up "more than half" of the bandwidth, but such a billing scheme could have some very nasty consequences. It's no secret that fetching television from the 'net is becoming entirely more mainstream, and with Apple pushing out "HD" rentals through its Apple TV, streaming video becoming more viable and Netflix freeing up its Watch Instantly feature, even consumers not considered lords of P2P could be hit with unexpected fees. 'Course, no prices have been divulged just yet, but seriously, does this not reek of paying for mobile time by the minute during the early 90s? Talk about taking two steps back.[Via The New York Times, image courtesy of JupiterImages]
Oceanic TWC finally gets CBS affiliate in HD
Now that thousands more Hawaiians are rocking HD DVRs from Oceanic Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget), we'd surmise that the cries for more HD offerings is getting nothing but louder. Thankfully, Oceanic TWC and KGMB-9 just finalized an agreement that brought the last local channel to its lineup in HD, just in time for all the NFL playoff action. Furthermore, Oceanic president Nate Smith implied that "as many as 20" more high-definition options could be available to islanders before 2009 dawns.
Time Warner Cable adds A&E HD, History Channel HD in Nebraska
For those who call Nebraska home, Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) is giving you two more reasons to stay on the couch this New Year's Day. Reportedly, the operator has added A&E HD and History Channel HD to its digital lineup, but we've no idea if any others are slated to follow suit. Anyone else notice the newcomers? If so, drop your location in comments.[Thanks, Cody H.]
Royal Rumble to be WWE's first HD pay-per-view event?
Apparently, the WWE will finally be rolling out a major pay-per-view event in high-definition some 12 months after UFC did the same. According to a tipster, Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) is gearing up to offer the WWE Royal Rumble PPV event in HD when it airs on January 27, 2008. Of course, this shouldn't be too surprising considering that WWE was already planning to switch Smackdown to HD next month, but for fans of the sport, we're sure they'll be delighted to have the PPV matches in 1080i, too. We'll let you know if we hear anything official.[Thanks, DG]
Time Warner Cable adds trio of new HD channels in Raleigh area
Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) has historically been a bit slow to add channels in the Raleigh area, but those situated in the Triangle area of North Carolina now have three additional HD options to enjoy over the break. As of now, TWC customers in and around Raleigh have access to National Geographic HD, HGTV HD and Food Network HD, which can be located on channels 279, 277 and 278, respectively. Also of note, the trifecta is broadcasting now to Wilmington customers as well on channels 968, 966 and 967.
Oceanic TWC orders up 6000 HD DVRs for Hawaii vs. Georgia bowl game
Sure, the University of Hawaii has a legitimate gripe for not being in the BCS Championship game -- you know, considering its undefeated record and all -- but islanders are apparently just as stoked to have their Warriors in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Oceanic Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) announced that it ordered up (and received) some 6,000 HD DVRs in anticipation of a spike in demand stemming from the upcoming bowl game. Reportedly, over 3,000 subscribers have been on a waiting list since December 1st to get their box in time for the New Year's day matchup, and Oceanic also noted that it would be extending business hours for O'ahu residents to get their hands around a box in time for the tilt. Of course, users not on said waiting list will be helped on a "first come, first served" basis, so we'd get a move on if you're scouting one.
Time Warner Cable adds new HD offerings in Albany, New York
Hot on the heels of reports claiming that Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) added six new HD channels in Maine comes a note that eight new offerings have emerged in New York's capital city. Reportedly, residents of Albany can now kick back and enjoy programming on History Channel HD, CNN HD, HGTV HD, The Weather Channel HD, Food Network HD, Golf Channel HD, National Geographic HD and Outdoor HD. Of note, our tipster mentioned that he had to reboot his HD DVR in order to actually receive the newcomers, so give that a go if you're running into issues viewing the aforementioned channels.[Thanks, Daniel S.]
Time Warner adds six new HD channels in Augusta, Maine
There's been an awful lot of HD expansion mentioned lately, but Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) has been sorely absent from the fun. Thanks to a tipster up in Maine, we've now learned that TWC has apparently added six new HD channels in Augusta without so much as a whisper. Customers in the area can now look forward to receiving CNN HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, Food Network HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and History Channel HD, but we've no idea if these options will make their way into any other surrounding regions.[Thanks, Jim Johnson]
Simple "hack" yields extra resolutions from Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR
If you're relying on a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR, and you're not totally against having a little behind-the-scenes fun, a few new resolutions are awaiting you. Apparently, users can access an advanced setup mode by simply holding down a couple buttons and navigating through a few simple menus, and once that ordeal is over, they can select from 480i standard / widescreen, 480p standard / widescreen, 720p and 1080i output formats. Quite frankly, this is one of the easiest "hacks" (we're being generous, we know) we've seen to date, so even if you're far from being a seasoned DIY veteran, we're confident you can handle six brutally easy steps. Check out the read link for the how-to, complete with photos and a reassuring voice to calm your nerves should you need it.[Thanks, Om M.]
WealthTV conspiracy theorists issue anti-Engadget press release
Note from the editor: Okay, I'm trying not to crack up here, but publicity-hungry "small family owned business" WealthTV (which, according to their site, is "headquartered in a 40,000 square foot, high definition state-of-the-art facility in San Diego" -- yep.) issued an anti-Engadget linkbait press release, accusing us of being the long, long tail arm of Time Warner, and "big business at its ugliest." As it happens, this WealthTV network -- which, I, personally, have never even heard of until a few days ago when we wrote a story on it here -- apparently recently went to the FCC to protest Time Warner Cable's "monopolistic program access practices" because the provider didn't pick them up.Of course, I probably don't have to tell you what an imbecilic accusation it is that some nefarious executive at TWC -- which is only partly owned by Time Warner -- was able to pull strings at Time Warner, which pulled strings at AOL, which pulled strings at Weblogs, Inc., which pulled strings with me, in turn resulting in some pretty hilarious verbal commentary by long-time editor Ben Drawbaugh on the Engadget HD podcast. But just so we're extra clear with the conspiracy theorists in the house that aren't convinced, WealthTV obviously wasn't paying too close attention to how we do our thing.Knocking on Time Warner Cable is something of a pastime and running joke between myself and Peter Rojas on the original Engadget podcast. Hell, I'd like to take this occasion to remind everyone that in the five years I lived in New York, I had nothing but problems with Time Warner Cable as a consumer (whereas in the last year and a half I've been in San Francisco I've had nothing but amazing experiences with Comcast -- go figure). Might also be worth a quick link to the post where we called a TWC CableCARD installation a "fiasco" -- in the headline, no less!But then again, since they totally busted us, we should probably come clean about a few Time Warner Cable-mandated stories I've had the team put in the hopper for this week: WealthTV so broke, the bank asked for their calendar back WealthTV so broke that when someone saw 'em walking down the street with one shoe and said, "Hey, you lost a shoe." WealthTV said, "No, we found one." WealthTV so poor when you ring the doorbell they say, "DING DONG!" Look, WealthTV, if it makes you guys feel any better, we promise we'll never, ever cover your channel again. Thanks for reminding us all that cash and class are obviously two very different things.Yours,RyanP.S. -Release posted after the break, including the contact email / phone number of the channel's PR rep. Enjoy!
Bright House Networks adds National Geographic HD in at least one market
One of our favorite HD channels is finally starting to get some love from Bright House Networks as it was recently added to the line-up at channel 727 in the Tampa market. This is good news from BHN fans everywhere as well as Time Warner Cable (a Time Warner company just like Engadget), as San Antonio customers can also expect to see NatGeo show up in HD in that market very soon. We've come to expect BHN and TWC to add HD channels together since they team up in the attempt to get a better carriage deal. Unfortunatly for some customers, who haven't seen a new HD channels in their local TWC market in some time, can expect not to see this one as well. With the bandwidth challenged markets the only thing that can help them is SDV, which can't get their fast enough for some, or slow enough for others. Read - TWC agrees to add National Geographic HDRead - Bright House Networks adds National Geographic HD in Tampa
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.
Can cable compete with satellite?
Our favorite online paper that we love to hate 'cause registration is still required, has laid out the challenge that cable is facing due to the pressure Dish and DirecTV is putting on cable operators all over the country. While both satellite providers have spent over a billion in to upgrade their networks for HD, cable operators are faced with much higher costs, to over come their bandwidth quagmire. With the CEA predicting that 50% of US households will have HD in 2009, there's a lot at stake. In the past month both Dish and DirecTV's stock is up 20% while Comcast and Time Warner Cable (also a Time Warner Company like Engadget) are down ~5%. Some cable co's are in more trouble than others, as according to Moto, about 20% of the US population's cable co's can't even do HD. The problem isn't only technology though, as Verizon's FIOS has what is comparably unlimited bandwidth, and yet their HD offering is worse than some cable providers.Read: WSJ registration required
