August 18, 2008

Recent High-Def Launches

DirecTV has added 4 new national channels: ABC Family HD, Planet Green HD, Showtime Extreme HD and Showtime Showcase HD. The bulk of the channel adds were HD PPV channels and 24/7 RSNs, including FSN Northwest HD and SportSouth HD. — Comcast is adding AMC HD, Speed Channel HD and History Channel HD in areas around Harrisburg and Hershey, PA. Additional HD nets being added to the lineup include: Animal Planet HD, Big Ten Network HD, CNN HD, Fox News HD, FX HD and NFL Net HD. The MSO also launched 9 new high-def nets in VT, including Disney Channel HD, AMC HD and Sci Fi HD. — Grande Comm has added NFL Net HD. — Bresnan launched Outdoor Channel's HD feed in CO, MT and WY. — Verizon FiOS TV has added 23 new channels in Pittsburgh, including 18 high-def nets such as USA HD, CNN HD and Animal Planet HD. The nets were also part of HD channel launches in NJ, where the telco now features approx 100 total high-def channels. Also, the telco service has added 21 nets in Richmond and VA Beach, including 16 HD nets such as Science HD and Smithsonian Channel HD. — Warner Bros rolled out Thurs on the VOD systems of Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox and Charter 85 classic films, many in HD. Included in WB's 85th anniversary promotion, also available through DirecTV and DISH, are "Doctor Zhivago," "Chariots of Fire" and "A Clockwork Orange."