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Scott Greczkowski
05-01-02, 02:22 PM
Cuban's HDNet Readies Expansion

Mark Cuban, the man behind high-definition provider HDNet, said his company plans to expand its offerings to include three new channels by the end of the year.

Cuban, addressing attendees at SkyFORUM, said that by the fourth quarter the company plans to unveil HDNet 2, which will offer basic HDTV programming, as well as a premium sports offering titled HDNet 3 and a premium movie channel called HDNet 4.

He also told the SkyFORUM crowd that consumers are ready for HDTV, saying "there are lists of customers" at various consumer electronics outlets who want to buy a HDTV-capable set-top box. Cuban added that "there's no shortage of content" for HDTV, pointing out that HDNet has movies, sports and its own programming in the special format.

HDNet, available on DirecTV, delivers various HDTV programming, from original news coverage in the Middle East to professional hockey and baseball. Cuban, who co-founded multimedia streaming company Broadcast.com, is best known for his spirited ownership role at the Dallas Mavericks.

Other SkyFORUM speakers included HBO Chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes, who told the crowd in a morning keynote that "it's critical for us to have this relationship" with satellite TV providers. He said satellite TV's growth is one of the factors that has helped HBO to continue expanding its well-known original programming slate.

Reposted with Permission from
SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com)

jegrant
05-01-02, 11:55 PM
Why aren't these channels more "branded" or at least named?

HDNET 2, etc just isn't very creative. How about HDNet Family - the basic service, HDNet Sport - self explanatory, and HDNet Home Theatre - the movie service.

It just seems strange because every other multichannel provider has gotten away from the 2, 3, 4 stuff AFAIK.

xxxx
05-25-02, 09:23 AM
Cuban is in discussions to launch & distribute the 3 new services via C Band DCII. They will be 2 HD movie/premium channels + 1 HD PPV sports. Discussions are ongoing with Motorola to make these available to 4DTV HD owners

Adam Richey
05-25-02, 10:26 AM
If Dish Network constantly brags about being at the forefront of providing HD programming, why don't they add these? These HDNET channels look REALLY good and provide quite a variety. Come on Dish.

Scott Greczkowski
05-25-02, 11:59 AM
I think we WILL see one HD Net Channel in the fall, however this HDNet channel will be without the sport which are shown on DirecTV.

This is due to the rights to the sports programs which DirecTV has access to and Dish does not.

Mark Cuban was a special guest at this years Dish Network Team Summit event in Orlando.

Adam Richey
05-25-02, 09:27 PM
I hope you are right. Although some of the sports might be nice, I don't mind more basic HD programming.

MarkA
05-25-02, 09:49 PM
Agreed Ogre, sports (other than football (REAL football, aka soccer)) can get really boring.

Mark Lamutt
05-26-02, 12:46 PM
Only in your opinion, Mark... :rolleyes:

Adam Richey
05-26-02, 01:50 PM
Next thing you know, we'll have Playboy in HD. That will be interesting. Imagine saying to yourself, "The pixelation on her butt looks GREAT!" LOL. Sorry. Sarcasm mode off now.

DarrellP
05-31-02, 01:39 PM
"The pixelation on her butt looks GREAT!"
This is how the Travel channel is now with their "Beach" shows.

I hope Cuban's new HD channels will show "Bikini Destinations" that are on HDNET right now.

Now that's HD worth watching. There's a thread at AVSForum that's several pages long just on this one show.