DirecTV proudly announces its 70 (not so) national HD channels

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 16th 2007 at 9:54AM

DirecTV is no doubt the HD leader, leaving all other providers in the dust in HD quantity -- the quality of the new channels is nice too. But we still feel the need to continually de-spin their press releases. We'll be the first to admit we're splitting hairs, but important ones at that. The problem lies in the word National, especially when they count channels that are considered local in just about every other context -- including on DirecTV's own website. How can a channel be considered national when it's only available in certain markets and not nationally? The other point of contention is counting regional sports networks and eight HD PPV channels. So while we're not complaining about all the HD goodness, we're sticking with our count of 47 national HD channels, which is really crazy when you think about it.

Filed under: Satellite

Tags: DirecTV

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highest Ranked

BoneCrusher @ Oct 16th 2007 10:17AM

Lets be fair now, DishNetwork started this crap and was the first to count PPVHD, RSN and Distant Local HD channels. They were claiming 70 HD channels just a few weeks ago. So if your going to point fingers, make sure you aim at Dish too!!!

Neutral

h4ldol @ Oct 16th 2007 10:21AM

Yet another nail in the HD DVD coffin.

Highest Ranked

EEL @ Oct 19th 2007 3:11AM

what the hell does hd dvd have to do with this?!

Highly Ranked

Kevin Murphy @ Oct 16th 2007 12:12PM

I think DirecTV and DISH have the same attitude: if it is broadcast on a CONUS transponder, it's a national channel. Some of their RSNs are on spot beams and won't count.

I actually don't begrudge them either the NY or LA network stations, but not both. But I take issue with HBO east & west (etc) being counted as two stations. I have a DVR and that makes them identical. RSNs I also accept, because I can subscribe to all of them. Yes there are blackouts, but that happens on TBS, FOX, etc, too.

And I really don't count most of the A&E and Turner stations because they upconvert and stretch most everything. Distorting SD edoesn't make it HD.

So, I guess everyone counts differently, and at this point it's still mostly promise.

Neutral

Kevin Murphy @ Oct 16th 2007 12:13PM

And, BTW, with MGM channel giving me all those BD-exclusive films for free, it's blu-ray's coffin, not HD DVDs. So there!

Neutral

roger_huston @ Oct 16th 2007 1:05PM

Hey, we are geeks and most of us have nothing better to do with our lives than to nit pick at the lives of others, after all it gives most of our lives meaning.

However, I LOVE all the attention HD is getting and I hope it goes even further. I want demand for HD content to reach its tipping point and everyone jumps on the bandwagon. In the end, this will be good for all of us and everyone will be driven to carry the content, be it DirectTV, Dish, Comcast, etc.

- Roger

Neutral

gparris @ Oct 16th 2007 1:50PM

I agree with EngadgetHD's count and Dishnetwork does the same thing; it is not truth-in-advertising.
Many cable companies try to do the same thing, too, with there HD channel counts and it distorts the actual count.
47 National HD channels exist on Directv, regardless of how much HD programming these currently offer (SD stretched and little real HD)are still 47, not 70+.
Counting PPVHD channels in the mix is not correct, either, as it not a full time subscription HD channel.
Adding local HD channels is wrong, too, as availablity can vary from zero available to as many as five in some cities, so thesecannot be added, either.
Directv's offering as many HD channels as it does is a good thing, but counting channels like local HD, PPVHD and non-National HD channels, is just, well,deceptive.

Neutral

Xyzzy @ Oct 16th 2007 2:38PM

I don't know, I think PPVHD should be counted. It is HD and just because you have to pay extra to watch it doesn't mean it's not available... Otherwise, I agree.

Does DirecTV count the Sunday Ticket games that are in HD?

Neutral

Ben @ Oct 16th 2007 2:39PM

Right PPV are nations, but they can hardly be considered "channels".

Highly Ranked

EEL @ Oct 19th 2007 3:12AM

From reading the comments before me, it appears that we are all educated enough to read through marketing BS. So this is a non-issue.

Neutral

Nate the Prophet @ Oct 16th 2007 4:39PM

Anyone know if Dish is planning to get SciFi HD or any of these others that DirectTV has??

Neutral

Cam @ Oct 16th 2007 4:46PM

HD-Lite

:P

Neutral

Shape @ Oct 16th 2007 6:54PM

All of these HD RSNs are national. They are all available to everyone in the $12 sports pack.

Neutral

Chris @ Oct 16th 2007 9:54PM

Just got home Cartoon Network HD, Fox Business News HD, Speed HD and Fuel HD have been added

Neutral

Fred Cantu @ Oct 17th 2007 5:30AM

Directv can count the RSNs at national channels because they are available to subscribers nationwide in their $99 package that includes all the movie channels and all the regional sports channels.

Neutral

YouFaceTheTick @ Oct 17th 2007 12:15PM

People order PPV? Why? Join netflix for god's sake.

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