NBC, ABC, FOX, etc. in HDTV

[RWebb71980]

Does anybody know if there are plans for E* to add HDTV locals to any large markets such as Los Angeles, where NBC and ABC are broadcast in HDTV.

I am thinking about purchasing a plasma, but I feel that HBO, Showtime, CBS, and DiscoveryHD do not make the purchase worth the expense.

I recieve the Los Angeles package as a distant network, so I can recieve nothing OTA.

Thanks,
Rob Webb

[James_F]

The answer will be no for the foreseeable future. Current DBS technology won't allow enough bandwidth for even the top few markets to get HDTV. Sorry....

[HTguy]

Still, it is not inconceivable that 1 or 2 of the major networks might make a special deal with DISH like CBS did for those in DMAs where the local affiliate is owned & operated by the NW and for those in white areas or who could get wavers.

But ABC recently said they were not interested and FOX (which doesn't really do HD anyway) is ultimately run by Sir Rupert so I think the chances there are slim for the time being.

But NBC hasn't officially ruled it out so far as I know.

[BobMurdoch]

I wish that someone would do a survey of all of the households capable of watching CBS in hi def and poll them to see how much more of that networks offerings they are watching compared to the time before they had the capability.

I think you will find that more people are going to CBS then did before due to their laudable commitment to HD (and full 1080i to boot).

Then all you need is someone at the Wall Street Journal to write an article about the findings and voila!... they'll all be tripping over themselves trying to catch up by allowing similar programs. PBS and NBC would probably go first, with ABC and FOX bringing up the rear due to their pigheaded egos (Disney NEVER thinks long term, witness their ditching of widescreen DVDs, and also their refusal at first to even support DVDs as they wanted to keep people buying and wearing out their VHS tapes. They finally caved once Warner started counting their DVD revenues with shovels. FOX wouldn't do it just to spite E*, although he might cave as well if he loses too many eyeballs)

[LauraW]

Originally posted by BobMurdoch
PBS and NBC would probably go first, with ABC and FOX bringing up the rear due to their pigheaded egos

ABC's actually in 2nd place right now behind CBS. NBC is a distant third, and I think PBS and Fox only have specials in HD.

See http://www.widescreenhdtvs.com/#networks for info on the networks' current HTDV lineups.

-- Laura

[BobMurdoch]

I was not pointing out the number of hours of HD content, merely pointing out the likelihood that they would make available a national feed to the satellite companies like CBS did with E*. As Disney wants to turn back the market and make us all buy VHS again (given their resistance to DVD at first, and then their reluctance to release Lilo and Stitch in Widescreen OR give it ANY decent extra features). I also point to their decision to turn back the clock and stop transmitting Monday Night Football in HDTV this year. Yes, they are flip flopping back again next year, but I merely want to show that they are being obstructionist when it comes to leading the way to better audio, video, and features desired by the home theatre enthusiast.

I included Fox as well as their "digital" solution is a mere 480p format. Yawn. Way to get out in front, Rupe.

[cws80us]

Someone reported over at AVS Forums that at CES, Charlie said he expected to have East and West coast HD feeds off all the major networks in time for the 2003 Fall TV Season.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=210910&perpage=20&pagenumber=4

[Cyclone]

Well, I'm putting my HD eggs into the E* basket. I hope that they don't let me down.

[jeffwtux]

What good do East and West coast HD feeds do anymore? That is only a solution for NY and LA which have very small DBS marketshare anyway. Unless they lobby the FEDS(unlikely in a bought and paid for by cable Republican regime) too allow them to offer HD feeds nationally, this is worthless.

[scooper]

jeffwtux - cable isn't the problem - the problem is the LOCAL affiliates. They don't want competition from another market for the content.

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by BobMurdoch
I wish that someone would do a survey of all of the households capable of watching CBS in hi def and poll them to see how much more of that networks offerings they are watching compared to the time before they had the capability.

I think you will find that more people are going to CBS then did before due to their laudable commitment to HD (and full 1080i to boot).

I disagree. I find it hard to believe that anyone would watch shows they don't like instead of shows that they do like because the ones they don't like are in HD.

Dennis

[Cyclone]

I think that many people end up watching shows that they don't like. So watching the HD shows that stink still applies.

Damn Republican Cable Regime !

[DoyleS]

In the Bay Area there is a full complement of Digital stations. However, I watch based on the program and content not on whether it is HD or not. 24 on Fox is a great show and it is broadcast in 16:9 format OTA. It would be great if it was real HD but the 16:9 on an 80 inch wide screen is still really good and I would choose that over an HD Discovery channel program every time. The 2nd choice program goes to the PVR in good ole 4:3.

..Doyle

[jwhite]

The East and West feeds would not only take care of NY and LA (the two largest markets) it could also be a choice that all the white areas could get.

I know I would pay more to get them in HD. I currently get West coast (LA) for time shifting and I am in a white area.

Jay

[EvanS]

Originally posted by Cyclone
I think that many people end up watching shows that they don't like. So watching the HD shows that stink still applies.

Damn Republican Cable Regime !

I think I only agree with this statement for the 1st month or so after a person has gotten their new HDTV. I know I watched ED and REBA and Touched by an Angel and JAG and LENO (or at least parts of them) for the first few weeks.
Now it's back to normal...especially with a PVR. Everything records as planned and then I will TRY to catch my favorites in HD if time/mood permits. Other than that it's watching recorded NTSC....and waiting.......:shrug:

[greg_n]

Bev should have the Boston HDTV locals in 3 months you need to go gray market tho ....

http://www.global-cm.net/CAN/canadiansolution.html

[wmayo]

I always jump when someone says "Just put up an antenna, and go OTA for networks you want" - MANY of us can't! Or actually, it wouldn't do any good. My factor is mountains around me. So, it ain't always so simple. (BTW the local ABC affiliate, still refuses waiver - reportedly they refuse 100% first applications, and only rarely change their mind).

[bhroam]

Hey... I've got a question
How does Dish Network's CBS-HD feed work? Can anyone but NY/LA/Distant people get them? I live in San Fransisco and highly considering buying a 921 when they come out. If I can't get CBS, it'll suck.

Thanks
Bhroam

[tampa8]

I did change my viewing habits for HD - sort of. While I won't watch a program I really don't like, I do now watch Jag for instance again. I had kind of grown tired of it, but HD renewed my interest. What I do is watch the HD show, and record another show if it is on at the same time. Sometimes this does result in watching a program in HD that I might not otherwise have watched.

[bretski]

Originally posted by bhroam
Hey... I've got a question
How does Dish Network's CBS-HD feed work? Can anyone but NY/LA/Distant people get them? I live in San Fransisco and highly considering buying a 921 when they come out. If I can't get CBS, it'll suck.

Thanks
Bhroam

San Francisco qualifies to get CBS-HD, since SF is a CBS owned-and-operated market. More info here (http://ekb.dbstalk.com/107) .

[davhol]

Go to Dish's website for qualification information: http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/locals/cbshd/index.shtml

[BobMurdoch]

Originally posted by bhroam
Hey... I've got a question
How does Dish Network's CBS-HD feed work? Can anyone but NY/LA/Distant people get them? I live in San Fransisco and highly considering buying a 921 when they come out. If I can't get CBS, it'll suck.

Thanks
Bhroam

It only works if you are in one of the markets controlled by one of the CBS owned and operated affiliates (I don't know the whole list but I think it is NY, LA, Chicago, and a few others). If you are Cedar Rapids or some other smaller market than the only way you will be able to get it is with a waiver from your local station(good luck).

I am in the New York DMA, but I am waiting for the 921 receiver before I get it (I can't go back to live television again after 3 years with a PVR)

[Scott Greczkowski]

If Dish were to add East and West HDTV feeds for all the networks then there would no longer be a need for affiliates. So I don't see that happening.

Imagine the nightmare trying to get qualified for HD Networks is they all became available.

[BobMurdoch]

I don't think it is THAT big of a disaster. Especially for people in areas covered by the Broadcast Network owned and operated stations. If CBS was willing, I'm hoping that there is a chance the others will too.

There is a trend of consolidation that I don't see ceasing. As the broadcast networks lose more and more market share they will have to adapt to survive. In the summertime, non broadcast network ratings actually surpassed their broadcast network counterparts on several occasions when the networks have continued to inexplicably continue to take a powder from May 20 til Sept. 20.

And with HBO, Showtime, Discovery, HDNET, and now ESPN showing HD content, the bar is being raised. Cable will be helping them balance the scales as their HD broadcast network content increases, but 16% of the market is on satellite and they are not making any attempt (other than CBS) to ensure that they are covered in HD. 2006 is coming though and those analog channels are scheduled to be handed back over to the feds for auction (yeah, I know about the 85% coverage loophole, but expect FCC chair Powell to lose his temper and plug that hole with extreme prejudice if they drag their feet much longer - witness the mandatory digital tuner debacle).

Personally, the networks have had protected monopolies in their areas for years. I can't wait for them to get their comeuppance. And no crying about the free TV model and the implied contract with users. I never signed that contract and will cry no tears if these dinosaurs fail to make their product more user friendly.