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There's more to starting a cable company than just pirating DirecTV
Blame it on the economy, lack of common sense, or lowered aspirations, but it seems like an awful lot of you guys think it's a good idea to re-sell DirecTV "on the sly," as they say in the business. Hell, this morning alone no less than two items have come across our desk to this effect -- and you know as well as we do that if both John Metzler, the owner and operator of Phoenix Communications and Pine River Cable in Michigan, is reselling premium digital channels, and if four unnamed Haysi, Virginia residents have also thought if it, then it's a growing concern. Our advice? Just don't do it. You don't want to be like OJ, do you? Didn't think so.Read - DirecTV Sues Virginia Residents for Unauthorized Distribution of DIRECTV ProgrammingRead - DirecTV sues Michigan man for redistributing its content
HD channel expansion roundup
Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say! Read - DIRECTV Delivers Local HD Programming to Customers in Harrisonburg, Va. Read - Telemundo 47 Now Available In HD On Time Warner Cable New York Read - Bright House Connects With YES 'National' In Orlando Read - Time Warner adds HD movie channel, expands HD tier 33% Read - Some Oceanic Time Warner customers can soon watch Smithsonian Networks (Hawaii)
Cavalier grabs DirecTV to complete its Triple Play bundle
Just under a year ago, we heard that the relatively unknown Cavalier (bizarre slogan and all) was looking to make a dent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia TV market. Not sure what all went wrong there, but now it's looking to television mainstay DirecTV to help it get things off the ground. The company will be offering locals the shot at a Triple Play package, with the high-speed internet and digital phone service coming directly from Cavalier and the TV service coming from DirecTV. We're told that this C3 bundle could save customers upwards of $240 per year compared to similar packages, but we'd definitely call 'em up and run the numbers before jumping in blind.
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.
Cox to bestow new HD channels upon Northern Virginia
Aw, c'mon NoVa -- you should know that Cox Communications wouldn't leave you hangin'. After blessing the Hampton Roads area with 13 new HD channels a week ago, the carrier is now slated to bring quite a helping to residents of Northern Virginia. Starting tomorrow, locals should receive Hallmark Movie Channel HD (743), Planet Green HD (749), Weather Channel HD (752), AMC HD (753), WGN HD (754), FOX News HD (756), SPEED HD (757) and FX HD (758). Better still, another wave should be coming between now and February, and on it will ride FOX Business HD (755), Cartoon Network HD (759), WE HD (760), IFC HD (761), Comedy HD (762) and BET HD (763). Our tipster Ryan says the information came straight from the channel guide on 742, so you know it's the real deal.[Thanks, Ryan]
Cox subscribers in Northern Virginia now receiving tuning adapters
Cox Communications was one of the first cable carriers to openly admit that it would be handing out tuning adapters to those negatively affected by switched digital video implementations (read: CableCARD users) sans a fee. Now, it seems like the floodgates are officially open across the industry. On the same day that TWC users in Austin, Texas began scooping up tuning adapters of their own, we're seeing multiple reports from Northern Virginia that consumers are finally able to claim one from their local office. It doesn't seem as if installation is totally a breeze for everyone, but Cox has evidently trained its CSR staff to handle quirks quickly judging by positive vibes felt on the TiVoCommunity boards. Moral of the story? Your carrier just might have a TA with your name on it, but you may never find out without giving 'em a ring.[Thanks, Phillip]
Comcast adding FX, FOX News and SPEED HD in Reston, VA
When Comcast gets on a roll, it gets on a roll. The carrier's latest trio that it has been pushing all over the nation involves FX HD, SPEED HD and FOX News HD. Needless to say, this very threesome has been revealed in Reston, Virginia... sort of, anyway. According to a tipster with a Vista MCE box in the area, these three have shown up on the EPG, though every one is still currently unactivated. It should be noted, however, that the last time he saw this happen, the channels went live within a fortnight. We'll let you do the math from here.[Thanks, Silvio]
Cox dishes 13 new high-def channels to Hampton Roads, Virginia
After gifting Hampton Roads, Virginia with a few fresh high-definition channels in early November, the carrier has came bearing real gifts in December. Starting this week, users in the region will find 13 newcomers in beautiful HD, bringing the total to 47. The high-def additions are: Lifetime Network, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Movie Channel, USA, MTV, CNBC, Nickelodeon, CMT, Sci-Fi, Spike, Bravo, VH1 and Planet Green. For whatever reason, Cox also threw in the SD version of Chiller, even though the HD version is more than accessible. At any rate, the company is also planning to serve up MLB Network beginning in the New Year, not to mention an undisclosed amount of new HD channels in 2009.
Verizon opens up FiOS TV test-drive kiosk in new Virginia Beach store
We know -- everyone lacking FiOS just wants Verizon to push it out to more areas, but Verizon's hoping to secure more customers in the locations it's already in. For the second time in a week, we're being treated to a new Verizon store opening, and within is a test-drive kiosk where patrons can see first hand what the outfit's fiber-based programming / high-speed internet services are all about. The newest location is on Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach, VA, and hey, even if you're completely uninterested in signing up, why not stop by just to check out the home theater setup and rest your loins in the plush chairs?
Verizon gears up for FiOS rollout in 27,000 Aimco apartments
It's incredibly obvious that one of Verizon's main opportunities for growth in FiOS TV is locking down contracts with housing facilities and apartment complexes, and while we've seen some small to medium-scale rollouts before, this one takes things to a whole 'nother level. Last year, the provider inked a deal with Aimco that would eventually bring fiber-based FiOS services to residents of some 27,000 apartments in 11 states across the nation. Now, 100 Aimco properties from coast to coast will be lit up with FiOS TV / internet / digital voice services prior to the onset of 2009, and that should make for quite a few happy tenants this holiday season.[Image courtesy of Apts247]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: November 8, 2008
Not only did Verizon pick up nearly a quarter-million new FiOS TV subscribers in Q3, but it's looking to make sure even more Americans have an opportunity to join in during Q4. This week, the carrier has received approval to light up its fiber-based TV service in several more New York communities -- Port Washington North in Nassau County, the Town of Fishkill / City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, Schuylerville, Throgs Neck and Edgewater Park in the Bronx, and Sheepshead Bay and Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn. Additionally, it added in 53 new HD channels in Richmond / Hampton Roads, VA, 10 more in Harrisburg, PA and 16 in Rhode Island. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - New York expansion IRead - New York expansion IIRead - Hampton Roads, VA additionsRead - Richmond, VA additionsRead - Harrisburg, PA additionsRead - Rhode Island additions
Cox adds a few HD channels in Hampton Roads, Virginia area
It's been awhile, hasn't it Hampton Roads? Cox Communications is finally stepping back up to the plate and handing out a few more high-def channels to enjoy, bringing Nickelodeon HD (729), CMT HD (733), Spike HD (755), VH1 HD (767), and MTV HD (722) to the table. We're also told that Palladia HD has been relocated to slot 876, but we reckon it'll fit in just fine there in the late 800s. Not a bad way to start the weekend, eh?[Thanks, Michael]
Verizon gets political with FiOS1 local TV channel in DC Metro Area
Now here's an interesting one. Verizon, the carrier who offers up FiOS TV, is actually getting set to launch its very own channel. Granted, it'll only be available to FiOS TV users -- and for now, users in the Washington, DC Metro area -- but still, it's a touch peculiar (albeit useful). For FiOS subscribers in Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland, you'll now be able to tune into Channel 1 (FiOS1, predictably), which will reportedly act as a "one-stop shop for local weather, traffic, news, sports and community features." From now until November 4th, however, it will be airing "rebroadcasts of the three presidential debates and the vice-presidential debate, as well as key speeches from the Democratic and Republican conventions." There's no mention of FiOS1 making a debut in other areas (nor of it going HD), but we'd keep an eye out on Channel 1 just in case.Update: Seems FiOS1 has been available for a tick, but it's the political coverage that's changing things up. Thanks, urfloormatt!
Verizon brings new features to Interactive Media Guide in MD / VA
Verizon's Interactive Media Guide has been on the rollout path since July of last year, but now customers in Maryland and Virginia can look forward to even more of that delicious interactivity. Beginning this very moment, FiOS TV users in the aforementioned states will have access to a "fantasy sports application, free casual games, purchasing power via remote control, more widgets that provide on-demand access to information and entertainment, and other exciting options." More specifically, you'll be able to stream HD recordings to six other TV sets throughout the home, create two separate lists of favorite channels and interface with your ESPN Fantasy Football right on your TV screen. Not bad for free, huh?
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: October 11, 2008
Verizon's making up for lost time this week. Last Saturday, we realized it had gone the entire week without stretching its FiOS TV footprint any further, but the same can't be said today. In addition to bringing its fiber-based services to apartment buildings in Yonkers, NY, the outfit has either gone live with or nailed down cable franchises in a smattering of new locales. For starters, FiOS TV is now available to even more communities in Los Angeles and Orange County (CA), while the villages of Cove Neck and Brightwaters on Long Island (NY) granted the provider the all-important franchise agreement. Expansion efforts were also seen in six new New Jersey cities; Hudson, Massachusetts; Bel Air, Maryland; and Chesapeake / Portsmouth / Virginia Beach, Virginia. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - California expansionRead - Long Island, NY expansionRead - New Jersey expansionRead - Massachusetts expansionRead - Maryland expansionRead - Virginia expansion
Sprint XOHM WiMAX networks reportedly active in other cities
Flying out of BWI to Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. or Northern Virginia? Make sure you pack in that SWC-E100, because we're hearing that Sprint's XOHM WiMAX networks are already live in each of those locales. According to a XOHM representative at a booth in Baltimore, the networks in each of those cities are already up, though they aren't officially supported as they're still "being tested." If any of you XOHM early adopters happen to head to any of the previously mentioned regions, bust out your ExpressCard and see if you get lucky (and then let us know how it goes).
DirecTV not done yet, brings HD locals to Norfolk-Newport News, VA / Charleston, SC
Just when you thought DirecTV was through after announcing HD locals for two more of its market today, in comes a couple of new reports confirming that both the Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina DMAs were gifted as well. For the former, customers can look forward to seeing their local ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS affiliates in high-def, while the latter region gets all of those plus WMMP (MyNetworkTV). Any others you'd like to toss our way while you're at it? We've got a list of HD-starved DMAs just begging over here.Read - Norfolk-Newport News, VA rolloutRead - Charleston, SC rollout
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: September 27, 2008
No, we didn't forget about you, but given that Verizon didn't announce any new FiOS TV spots last week, we figured we'd hold off until this week rather than gabbing aimlessly. Thankfully, the provider stepped up here recently and delivered its fiber-based programming service to two more Massachusetts towns -- or, at least a video franchise was granted. Also of note, it pumped out 39 new stations (19 in high-def) to subscribers in Maryland and Northern Virginia, while 79 new channels (56 in HD) were delivered in the Philadelphia region. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - Mansfield, MA expansionRead - Bellingham, MA expansionRead - Maryland / NoVA channel lineupRead - Philadelphia channel lineup
Six more markets get HD locals on DirecTV
Can't say it still feels like summer in some parts of the US, but regardless of semantics, DirecTV is forging ahead with its HD locals rollout. Effective immediately, a half dozen more markets can find at least a couple of the big broadcast stations in HD, with Mobile, Richmond, South Bend, Syracuse, Toledo and Youngstown all getting gifted. For details on which DMA got which stations, head on down to the read link.[Thanks, VANBROTHERS]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: August 23, 2008
Maybe you haven't noticed, but Verizon has been throwing FiOS TV to Washington cities on a really regular basis. This week, we see Woodway awarding the carrier with a video franchise, while nine more New Jersey cities -- including parts of Salem County, the city of Camden and the city of Paterson -- get the luxury of ordering. Finally, we've got much of Stafford County, Virginia expecting to receive the fiber-based programming service in the future, though Verizon only promises that rollouts will begin "later this summer," with the rest of the place having to wait anywhere between a few months and a few years to get covered. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - Virginia expansionRead - New Jersey expansionRead - Washington expansion
