September 8, 2008

Recent High-Def Launches

 MTVN is nearing a launch of MTVNHD, its 1st intl high-def service dedicated to music and kids. The 24-hour English language channel will bow Sept 15 in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden. — HDNet and HDNet Movies announced late Thurs an affiliation deal with Comcast. No specifics were immediately available, but HDNet said the deal will put the nets in some Comcast systems "within days or weeks," includes free VOD programming, and will lead to additional carriage over the next year. Comcast evp, content acquisition Matt Bond said the deal ties to "our Project Infinity commitment to deliver more HD choices than anywhere else." — Time Warner Cable's Kansas City system has launched Hallmark Movie Channel in both SD and HD. — DirecTV added local HD content in Johnstown-Altoona, PA, bringing its number of local HD markets to 82. — FiOS TV is rolling out 75 new nets in RI and MA, including 55 HD nets such as CNN HD, CNBC HD, Lifetime HD and USA HD.