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TWC San Antonio to offer free Tuning Adapters, pre-orders now open
As switched digital video (SDV) rollouts continue, we're apt to hear more and more about how cable companies plan on handling the distribution of Tuning Adapters. We've already heard that Cox will be giving needy customers in Phoenix a TA for free, and Time Warner Cable New York recently sent out letters to CableCARD users informing them that their TAs may be handed out gratis. Now, we're seeing a pre-order page over at TWC's San Antonio site that clearly informs subscribers that the Tuning Adapter they request will be provided at no charge "later this year." If you're in or around this area and own a TiVo Series 3, TiVo HD or TiVo HD XL, now would probably be an excellent time to get your name on the list. For everyone else, have a look at your local carrier's page and let us know if it's doing something similar. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Lawrence]Read - TWC San Antonio main siteRead - TWC San Antonio pre-order page
Time Warner Cable finally recognizes Raleigh, adding 4 HD channels
We're struggling to believe this is real, but it appears that Time Warner Cable has finally woken up and realized that it serves a great number of increasingly frustrated people in the greater Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina area. While locales like San Antonio have upwards of 70 HD channels on TWC, the poor citizens of the Triangle have been suffering with just a handful for years. Sure, TWC gifted the area with Big Ten Network a few weeks back, but seriously, who's watching that in the heart of ACC territory? Nevertheless, the carrier is gearing up to add Discovery HD (260), SPEED HD (273), ESPNU HD (288) and Bio HD (296) on October 29th, all of which will be listed in the "Free HD" lineup. We still feel the people of Raleigh deserve a few more, but so long as this is just the beginning of lots more, we'll be content. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Bill]
TWC gifts Port Clinton, Ohio with ABC / CBS / PBS in high-def
These days, it's tough to live with a carrier that doesn't at least offer the big four broadcast networks in high-definition, particularly for those not living within antenna's reach of the station headquarters. For Time Warner Cable customers in Port Clinton, Ohio, the days of doing without ABC and CBS in HD are over, as the carrier has finally included the high-def feed of WTVG and WTOL in its lineup. It also threw in PBS HD (WGTE) to bring the grand total in the region to 29 HD stations, and while an addition of three may not seem like much, it's hard to think of three more important channels than these to have in HD. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Time Warner Cable adds Cartoon Network HD in San Antonio
San Antonio's never short on HD channels from Time Warner Cable, but just in case locals in the area were getting fed up with the oodles they already have, here's another to keep you (or your kids, most likely) quiet. As of this week, Cartoon Network HD is being placed on slot 145, bringing the total HD channels in the region to 71 -- and that's not counting the 124 HD movie-on-demand channels and 337 HD free-on-demand titles. Can you detect a hint of bitterness? Sorry, we tried mightily to conceal it. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
TWC Wisconsin offers World Series to LIN TV-area customers
My, my -- now isn't this nifty. Time Warner Cable in Northeast Wisconsin is just one of the many areas still fighting with LIN TV in an attempt to get LIN TV-owned stations back in the EPG. As you can likely guess, the World Series is being played right now on one such station (WLUK), which obviously is no longer available via TWC to NE Wisconsin subscribers. In a workaround that can only be described as brilliant, it is bringing the Fall Classic to viewers via FOX Sports Espanol (slot 70; SD only) and encouraging them to catch the English play calling through the radio. We've no clue if other TWC regions are dabbling in the same black magic, but we can't help but chuckle and offer up a round of golf claps -- this, friends, is determination at work. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via FoxCitiesTV]
TWC to make Tuning Adapters available "later this year"
It's hard to say if letters like this are going out all over the country, but at least in central New York, Time Warner Cable has all intentions of providing CableCARD users with Tuning Adapters "later this year." Of note, the letter was addressed prior to the FCC slapping it with a fine for deploying SDV in an apparently improper manner, but at any rate, central NYers using a standard TiVo Series3 / TiVo HD now will see a whole slew of channels go dark on November 13th. The note also asserts that "it is currently contemplated that the Tuning Adapter will be provided at no additional charge," but that's a far cry from outrightly saying that they'll be doled out gratis. Guess we'll see in time, huh? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
DirecTV & The Weather Channel team up on new interactive TV apps
The Weather Channel's the latest to get a taste of DirecTV's interactive treatment, adding new severe weather alerts, Local on the 8's weather reports, Local On Demand weather and a featured spot on the DirecTV Active application. The Weather Channel HD feed doesn't feature the local on the 8's app yet, but it is on the way, while the Local On Demand feature lets customers click through a bevy of information while still watching TWC live. A ticker at the bottom of the screen plus the red button on your remote should shed more light on the subject for the interested.
FCC fines TWC and Cox for deploying Switched Digital Video
If you've been feeling left out because your cable provider decided to start using Switched Digital Video (SDV) to deliver your favorite channels, don't worry because the FCC has your back. Today the FCC's Enforcement Bureau proposed to fine TWC and Cox's Fairfax County system because they "apparently willfully violated" the requirement to support third party CableCARD devices. Time Warner got slapped with a fine of 40 large, with Cox only getting half that at $20,000 -- this is in addition to the refunds both will be required to issue to affected customers. This is definitely a score for the little guy, and we sure are glad the FCC stepped up on this one, but luckily for all the parties involved, the Tuning Adapter will solve this problem long term. Now if only more providers would start making them available. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
MOJO HD falls off TWC Rochester, 6 newcomers added in
And so it begins. The ill-fated MOJO HD has already begun to vanish from cable lineups, even though the official dissolution isn't set to occur until December. At any rate, Time Warner Cable has yanked the network in the Rochester, New York area, but smartly added in a half dozen high-def newcomers to keep customers from kvetching. With the fall of MOJO comes the addition of Hallmark HD, SPEED HD, Cartoon Network HD, FX HD, Tennis Channel HD and MGM HD. Hey, TWC -- when can we expect a similar announcement for your other markets? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Trent]
Time Warner Cable adding 13 new HD channels in Dayton, Ohio
Are you stoked, Dayton? You should be. Time Warner Cable has just sent out fliers to select customers in the region noting that a baker's dozen worth of HD channels are on the way, which will bring the grand total in the area to 46. Reportedly, the outfit will be pretty much finishing off its switched digital video (SDV) transition, as all 13 of the newcomers will be delivered via the bit-saving method. Ready to check out the exhaustive list? Head on past the break, you lucky, lucky Ohioan. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Dayton Guy]
TWC beefs up HD lineups in Brooklyn, Queens and Mount Vernon
Time Warner Cable is stirring the HD pot in the Empire State once more, this time bringing the lineups in Brooklyn, Queens and Mount Vernon up to par with those already stocked (Staten Island, we're looking at you). In a new programming announcement on the provider's website, we're told that the "previously announced drop of MOJO (796) on October 1st has been postponed," presumably until sometime in December. Additionally, Brooklyn / Queens will be seeing HBO HD (651), Cinemax HD (658), Showtime HD (666), TMC HD (674), Starz HD (676), Cartoon Network HD (722), FX HD (737) and Speed HD (774) on October 22nd. Including Mount Vernon, all three locales will get Big Ten Network HD (472), CBS College Sports HD (467), ESPNU HD (793) and Tennis Channel HD (465). Stellar news, right? Full shot of the announcement is after the break. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jason and Eric]
Oceanic Time Warner Cable adds 4 HD channels in Oahu and Kauai
We can say with a straight face that there's hardly a time in Hawaii where watching HDTV trumps being out and about amidst paradise, but even those who can't spend enough time on pristine beaches need to kick back and catch some high-def entertainment every now and then. Oceanic Time Warner Cable has just announced that customers on the islands of Oahu (pictured) and Kauai will soon (read: this week) be treated to four new HD stations: Hallmark Movie Channel HD (1453), FOX Business HD (1108), Big Ten Network HD (1248) and Travel Channel HD (1325). When the additions are made, Oceanic TWC will offer a full 42 stations in Hawaii, giving you one less reason to resist the urge of buying that one-way ticket to OGG / HNL / KOA / etc.
LIN TV-owned stations go dark across many TWC systems
Reports have been flooding in from across Ohio, Indiana and Texas to confirm the cold, hard truth: LIN TV has begun removing its stations from Time Warner Cable systems. Last month, we found that the two were still in disagreement over carriage terms, with LIN TV wanting TWC to pony up to carry stations that could otherwise be fetched OTA for free. Amazingly, they let the October 2nd deadline come and go without even a stopgap deal, meaning that some locals in Dayton, Columbus, Toledo, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Austin, Green Bay, Buffalo and a handful of other cities have now vanished from TWC's EPG. In a posting made on the carrier's site, it bluntly states that LIN TV is "trying to make up for lower ratings and advertising revenue by adding fees that will fall, ultimately, on the backs of our cable customers." Granted, that's only one half of the story, but here's the bottom line: you two need to come to terms, and fast.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Time Warner Cable makes Buffalo's HD lineup even more robust
We know, we know -- Buffalo residents are just now seeing their HD lineup look even remotely similar to lineups seen in other areas of the Empire State, but we can't help but be envious. Since August 28th, Time Warner Cable has added 25 high-def stations in the region, with the latest four going live today. FOX Business HD, Tennis Channel HD, Planet Green HD and BIO HD have found their way onto slots 719, 732, 741 and 743 (in order of mention). There were no specifics given as to future lineup enhancements, but WNY Division President Terence Rafferty did state that it would "continue to add popular HD content for [its] customers." After all of this, we halfway believe him. [Warning: PDF read link; disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TWC brings another 5 HD stations to Buffalo's EPG
We're beginning to wonder if these 5-spots will ever end, as Time Warner Cable has once more delivered five new HD stations to its loyal customers in Buffalo, New York. The company has now added 20 high-def channels over the past two weeks as it attempts to build up the former Adelphia footprint into one with a respectable HD lineup. This go 'round, we've got The Learning Channel HD (736), Toon Disney HD (748), ABC Family HD (749), Sports New York (SNY) HD (731) and National Geographic HD (734) being added in, bringing the high-definition total (at least for the moment) to 33.
TWC officially on a roll, adds 5 more in Buffalo, NY
What can we say? When you're hot, you're hot. After adding ten new high-definition channels over the past week, Time Warner Cable has decided to dish out five more to the fine citizens of Buffalo, New York. As the rest of TWC nation grows increasingly envious, Buffalo residents can now enjoy Food HD (716), ESPNews HD (728), MSG HD (730) Outdoor Channel 2 HD (733) and Travel Channel HD (735). Alrighty, it's about time to start spreadin' the love, don'tcha think? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Tim]
Time Warner Cable adds Science HD / Disney HD in San Diego
While Comcast has been handing out HD channels like a rich guy hands out candy on Halloween, TWC has been mighty stingy with its high-def expansions. Handing out a network here and there, we see the carrier gifting San Diego, California with two more: Science HD (780) and Disney HD (763). Not much, but we suppose beggars can't be choosers. Well, actually... [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Joebnsd]
Big Ten Network coming to TWC in the Carolinas, Raleigh / Durham included
It's with a heart full of enthusiasm and a mind full of frustration that we share with you Time Warner Cable's latest addition to its Carolinas lineup. After landing a deal with Big Ten Network late last month, the carrier has announced that it will soon be launching BTN in Raleigh / Durham, Greensboro, Charlotte, Statesville / Iredell, Wilmington and South Carolina. The station will be available in both SD and HD flavors on different slots based on location (details are in the read link), and we're told to expect it on the air this Thursday. Sure, we'll take any high-def station we can get here in the Tar Heel Wolfpack state, but we still feel the operator owes us a few more given the absurd prices it feels fine with charging. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Justin]
TWC throws 5 more HD channels in Buffalo's direction
Not only are the Bills off to a magnificent start this NFL season, but Time Warner Cable is being extraordinarily kind to the fine citizens of Buffalo. Just a week after gifting the area with five new HD channels, the carrier has dropped five more without any celebration. Available now, subscribers in the region can view NHL Network HD (729), History Channel HD (744), Disney Channel HD (750), Lifetime Movie Network HD (751) and HGTV HD (715). Anyone placing bets for five more next week? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Time Warner Cable adds 5 HD channels in Buffalo, NY
We have all ideas that every last HD-lovin' TWC customer in the Buffalo region will agree with this: "It's about time." Time Warner Cable has just announced plans to add five new high-def stations in the Buffalo, New York area in an attempt to reach its goal of "tripling" the current HD lineup. The newbies are CNN HD (721), TBS HD (723), Discovery HD (738), Animal Planet HD (739) and Science HD (737). And yeah, you've had ESPNU HD since late August, so don't complain about a lack of high-definition sports coverage (though, like Third Eye Blind, we would understand). [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Darryl]
