HDTVMag Counts 100 HD Channels

[Nick]

It's often been said that 'figures don't lie, but liars figure.' Nevertheless, until now, no one has come up with
a reasonable list of 100 HD channels that would support DirecTV's advertising claims.

Shane Sturgeon, Co-Publisher and Chief Technologist of HDTV Magazine.com (www.HDTVMagazine.com) and contributing member
of DBSTalk.com, has compiled such a list, which is sure to put smiles on the faces of DirecTV's most avid
HD subcribers.
DirecTV - The March to 100 National High Definition Channels

By Shane Sturgeon

Unless you've been under a rock, or subscribed to Cable, you are likely intimately aware of DirecTV's
promise of having 100 national high definition channels in service by the end of 2007. Sounds good,
doesn't it? 100 National channels of HD content! As you might imagine, this raises more than a few
questions. Some of the more frequent ones I've heard are:

* What channels will these be?
* Will {insert favorite channel here} be among them?
* How will they carry 100 HD channels if there aren't 100 networks with HD content?
* How much will this cost me?

This article will attempt to answer every one of these questions. I will list DirecTV's current offerings as
well as a list of those networks with which they have agreements for carriage starting this fall. I will also
list those networks which are currently carried by other providers which DirecTV may pick up as part of
this 100. And you know what the best part is? According to DirecTV, there are no plans to increase the
price of the HD package above the current price of $9.99! The only unknown at this point is the quality.
Will it be on par with the current offerings? Will it be better? Let's hope it's one of those two. ...Full article @ HDTVMagazine.con (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2007/06/directv_-_the_m.php)

[MikeR7]

:) :lol: :hurah:

[Nick]

I don't know who moved this thread, but it has nothing to do with tv
programs. It is about likely new HD channels, not programming.

[purtman]

Interesting, Nick. Actually, when I saw the article, this is the first area I thought to look. Yes, we are referring to channels here, but we usually equate programming with channels (i.e., sports with the RSNs, weather with TWC, etc.).

That aside, it's nice to see a list. While it's a best guess as to what the 100 will be, there are definitely some reasons to be hopeful. Less than four weeks to go until liftoff!

[bonscott87]

The author actually missed a lot of the RSN's that are already in HD on DirecTV for games only which will go on the national beams. That would bump his count to 115 or so.

[Earl Bonovich]

I don't know who moved this thread, but it has nothing to do with tv
programs. It is about likely new HD channels, not programming.

I moved it...

And yes, it does have to do with CHANNELS, which directly related to the PROGRAMMING on those channels..

Hences why I moved it.

[uncrules]

The author also missed HBO-HD West as a possible channel.

[Alan Gordon]

I could see DirecTV adding a PBS-HD East feed and a CW-HD East (that he failed to mention) feed, but a PBS-HD West feed? I'd be kind of surprised considering they don't have a PBS West SD feed...

Also, several of the channels mentioned aren't supposed to be available until next year...

~Alan

[VeniceDre]

There's nothing new really in there except for the Nickolodean HD... which I'm not sure if I ever heard of them going HD... There will be some in-house HD channels DirecTV will also be adding to their line-up.

[Dusty]

Comcast Sportsnet Northwest is to be launched in September in HD. In press, Comcast said they have offered it to D*. Rumor has it they are seeking for $2 per subscriber. I don't think D* will pay that much.

[DCSholtis]

Comcast Sportsnet Northwest is to be launched in September in HD. In press, Comcast said they have offered it to D*. Rumor has it they are seeking for $2 per subscriber. I don't think D* will pay that much.

IF its truely being offered to D*. Look for them to get it. I have never known them to turn down a deal involving a sports network if its offered to them.

[myselfalso]

Good article, but there are a few holes. But let's not forget, this was this person's best guess. Sounds about as good as mine!

[mssturgeon]

The author actually missed a lot of the RSN's that are already in HD on DirecTV for games only which will go on the national beams. That would bump his count to 115 or so.

If you wouldn't mind providing a source for them, I'll include them on our tracking page. I did some fairly extensive research to get that current list, but nobody's perfect.

The author also missed HBO-HD West as a possible channel.

Wow, how could I have missed that!?! Good point!

Also, several of the channels mentioned aren't supposed to be available until next year...

There were two press releases in which those channels were mentioned. The first specifically stated that they would be 2008 channels, but the second (more recent) implied that they would be launched this year. I have asked DirecTV PR for clarification and confirmation, but have not received it.


Thanks all,

- Shane

[superunlikely]

I thought there would only be one more CBS NFL game in HD this year? If so, you need to subtract three of those four new NFLST channels. If not and CBS has decided to step up to the new millennium...then sweet.

[cb7214]

i can't wait :D

[purtman]

I thought there would only be one more CBS NFL game in HD this year? If so, you need to subtract three of those four new NFLST channels. If not and CBS has decided to step up to the new millennium...then sweet.

The good thing is you did miss it. CBS has decided to step up to the plate. They will add either two or games this year and all by 2008. When you take out the Monday night and Sunday night game, there are 14 left. That leaves seven for each network. Then later in the season, obviously, the NFL Network will pick up a game.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/05/07/cbs-to-offer-more-hd-nfl-all-games-in-hd-by-2008/

[bonscott87]

If you wouldn't mind providing a source for them, I'll include them on our tracking page. I did some fairly extensive research to get that current list, but nobody's perfect.

Just the DirecTV HD Sports web page and the list is there. DirecTV has stated in the latest press release that the RSNs they have in HD will go on the national beam on D10.

[mssturgeon]

But those aren't all dedicated channels. They run depending on market area on Ch. 95 and 96, which I have listed.

- Shane

[Earl Bonovich]

Well that idea of 100 (or even 150).
Just took a big step forward:

HBO just announced 26 (well they already have two... so 24 more)
HD Networks
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=968962

[superunlikely]

The good thing is you did miss it. CBS has decided to step up to the plate. They will add either two or games this year and all by 2008. When you take out the Monday night and Sunday night game, there are 14 left. That leaves seven for each network. Then later in the season, obviously, the NFL Network will pick up a game.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/05/07/cbs-to-offer-more-hd-nfl-all-games-in-hd-by-2008/

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

[Dolly]

Well that idea of 100 (or even 150).
Just took a big step forward:

HBO just announced 26 (well they already have two... so 24 more)
HD Networks
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=968962
More More :jumpingja I have completely fallen in love with HD :heart:

[DCSholtis]

More More :jumpingja I have completely fallen in love with HD :heart:

Did you get the MLB Superfan package and are you watching the Yankees/Mets game in HD tonight? :D

[Dolly]

Did you get the MLB Superfan package and are you watching the Yankees/Mets game in HD tonight? :D
I watched the game in HD :) But the Mets beat the Yankees :mad: But it didn't take long to make an HD believer out of me :lol: