DirecTV to deliver 70 HD channels by the end of Q3?
We've heard so many promises from DirecTV that we hardly take them seriously anymore, but according to CEO Chase Carey, the satellite provider will indeed be beaming out "70 HD channels" by the end of Q3. Reportedly, the comments were uttered during the firm's second-quarter conference call, and it was noted that there were deals currently in place for 90 HD networks. Furthermore, Carey stated that it had "20 or 30 channels that would need a couple of months to get an HD feed online, which is why it will grow from 70 to over 100 in those few months." Again, this is far from the first assurance we've had that the elusive "100 HD channels" are actually coming soon, but considering that the DirecTV 10 is successfully in orbit and the DirecTV 11 should be headed there soon, maybe there's some truth to this one.
Filed under: Satellite
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fernz33 @ Aug 9th 2007 7:46PM
I just got off the phone with a DirecTV rep because I am upgrading to the HR-20.
Anyways, he said that there will be some 50 or so more HD channels coming September 1st. Hope this is true.
Tauron @ Aug 9th 2007 7:58PM
I don't know. Directv solicited me over the phone wanting me to rejoin because I switched to DISH Network for their HD package. They lied their asses off to get me back by telling me they provide the VOOM network and had more HD channels than DISH.
BOTH were lies (obviously).
hd guru @ Aug 9th 2007 8:26PM
The new DirecTV boxes add an unwanted bonus, black stripes on the sides when viewing standard def channels, which may cause damage to the user's HDTV. See
www.hdguru.com
for all the details
Cayson @ Aug 9th 2007 10:43PM
As opposed to what? Stretch-O-Vision ala TNTHD? I much prefer the pillar boxes, but you don't HAVE to select them. You can always stretch via the format button.
Reggie3 @ Aug 9th 2007 10:09PM
It;s amazing the comments posted here - probably by Dish people talking about Voom. No D* CR no matter how stupid most are would comment about Voom.
"The new DirecTV boxes add an unwanted bonus, black stripes on the sides when viewing standard def channels, which may cause damage to the user's HDTV. "
First black stripes are there for a reason - that is the native picture. But one can stretch the picture with the Directv receivers to be an abomination of what the picture should be.
But the article is about HD not SD- and yes Directv has D-10 up and if you follow the forums at all - it is close to starting testing on Friday Audugst 10th. Which means if all goes well it will be online on Labor Day.
Bring it on. D-11 launch at the end of the year will give them the 100+ HD channels to be the dominate provider of HD. Only Verizon FIOS can compete.
Tauron @ Aug 10th 2007 8:59PM
Reggie3,
It's obviously me you're refering to about being "stupid" for commenting about the VOOM Network. Just for COMMENTING about the VOOM NETWORK!?
Reggie3, question:Did you take your medication the day you posted you're comments you
f***ing psycho!
Michael @ Aug 9th 2007 11:03PM
tobin, quit bitching about something that will never happen and enjoy what the market will support. "Real" HD over a satellite will never happen in a million years, it isn't cost effective now and it won't EVER be. There's too much compression and the dollars spent/dollars earned ratio for any satellite company to make enough revenue to support so few channels a "real" HD lineup would require. I'm sooooooo tired of all the bitching about something that isn't practically attainable. It is a simple matter of diminishing returns - enough said already!
Now, to the subject matter posted here. I don't care who you are or what size your HD set may be, this is exciting news. I've been receiving DTV-HD for several years now and yet we basically have the same five or six HD stations we had when I first subscribed. I've slowly gained access to my locals in HD (except for my lame ass local NBC station which for some unexplained reason isn't carried by DTV nor will they grant me an exception to receive the East Coast feed like Fox, & CBS did) but beyond that, bupkiss. Frankly, the prospect of getting between thirty and fifty additional HD channels over the course of the next two to three months makes me salivate like a BIG DOG. All at NO ADDITIONAL COST to what I'm currently paying. Heck, I ordered my BBC converters literally the second I received my email notification and I'm armed and ready at this point.
BRING IT ON!!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/scoobarama
Jeff N. @ Aug 10th 2007 12:00AM
It's a good thing DirecTV is doing this. It forces everyone in the industry to put more HD Channels on their lineup.
Brendan @ Aug 10th 2007 12:29AM
Which should I pick Voom or NFL Sunday Ticket with Super Fan in HD? Tough choice I know.
tobin92 @ Aug 10th 2007 12:36AM
Stop launching more channels, and provide real HD, not HD Lite , at a good bit-rate....That would make me happy.
GhostDoggy @ Aug 10th 2007 5:41AM
Until someone comes forth and verifies that DirecTV has stopped their behavior of delivering HD in a less than HD form, then nothing will get upgraded in my home regarding HD and DirecTV.
Their practice of 1280 by 1024 as representative of 1920 by 1080 is appalling. Why buy an HD display if DirecTV is only going to send two-thirds of the signal and make up what it threw away in the first place?
Now, if someone comes forth and determines that DirecTV has stopped this practice I'll be all over it like a fan blade. :)
Jeff N. @ Aug 10th 2007 1:14PM
Has anyone had a hard time getting that 5LNB dish installed? I heard it's a real bear. They like to install it on your roof and it looks awful. You can no longer put it on the side of your house.
Johnathon @ Aug 11th 2007 1:40PM
@jeff n.
yes, the new hd box will have to be installed on your roof. the weight is WAY too big to be on the side of your house.
my mom objected, but when i talked to her about sunday ticket she switched over.
im hoping that someone would put out an offical list of the channels that will be in hd come sept 1.
maybe one day they'll include fox soccer in hd. GO RED DEVILS
Jerry Johnson` @ Sep 1st 2007 8:37AM
I have been with directv 12 yrs.I have all the hardware for hd and I am ready to go, but I guess we will wait, untill hd come along I didn't know they were as money hungry as they are, they will tack a charge on about everthing you touch,$19.95 for thier receiver $25.00 for r/f remote, the slip your local channels in your package and you can't drop them,charge for a tech person to come by your house,and if you ain't lucky you know more about your trouble than he does, all he is going to do is try a new part,about like a car repair man: wmj5@aol.com
winsor @ Sep 19th 2007 11:18AM
Well it's Sept 19th & I don't see anything new in the program guide.....