Only half of US HDTV owners subscribe to HD programming
We'll be honest -- we US-based HDTV owners are taking advantage of our set entirely more so than those in Europe, but considering the (relative) smorgasbord of high-def options that we have here in the States, the latest data from ABI Research is quite disheartening. Reportedly, some 41-percent of American TV owners possess an HDTV, but out of those, just 56-percent subscribe to a HD programming package. Of course, we're well aware that OTA consumption is on the rise, but still, that figure is simply abysmal (though not at all shocking). The report goes on to mention that while 45-percent of respondents admitted to using pay-per-view, most did so just one time per month. Additionally, 46-percent asserted that they were "unsatisfied" with their carrier, with the primary gripes being high prices and lame customer service. Still, we're glad to see that HD recognition is on the rise here in the US, but we have a seriously long way to go before 100 million homes are signed on to high-def programming services.
[Image courtesy of AT&T]
[Image courtesy of AT&T]

















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Itchy @ Mar 26th 2008 6:49PM
I'll be honest too. I've owned an HDTV for about three years now, but I refuse to buy HD programming. I said it for years before I even bought an HDTV and I'll said now, there's nothing on TV worth paying for. So why the hell would I pay even MORE to get it in HD. The extra lines of resolution don't make it any better to watch...
tamosius @ Mar 26th 2008 6:53PM
let me x2 that...
Dan @ Mar 26th 2008 6:54PM
Itchy you are a complete buffoon if you have HDTV and running SDTV via Cable/Sat(assuming you are not using OTA HDTV). If you are using OTA then SAY IT MAN... get to the point. I purchase this $_____ thousand dollar TV and OTA and that is all the Television I choose to watch.
Mr Stevo @ Mar 26th 2008 6:55PM
Word to your mutha!!!
Greg @ May 10th 2008 10:07PM
So what was the purpose of you buying an HDTV?
Itchy @ Mar 26th 2008 8:25PM
@ Greg
I needed a new TV, knew that HD was right around the corner, so bought one. Oh, and it also came in really handy when I bought my PS3 about a year later.
Any other questions?
Itchy @ Mar 26th 2008 8:31PM
@ dan
I'm not an idiot, dan. I bought an HDTV because I wanted to take advantage of the emerging technology. I was future proofing myself at a time when buying a standard television was an idiot's decision to make. I do grab OTA HD programming, but watch it far, far less than I use my PS3, watch blu-ray, HD-DVD (yes, I still have a player), and upscaled DVD (which looks great).
Mr. E @ Mar 26th 2008 8:31PM
It's funny you say that, because I'm the exact opposite. I personally believe the past several years have had the best network and cable programming ever. Of course, you have to dig through the (reality) crap to get to it, but some of the scripted shows like Lost, House, Battlestar Galactica (to name just a few current examples of many) are where you can find some of the best writing in the entertainment industry.
I personally find the HD presentation more involving, not just because of the picture, but because of the 5.1 surround sound.
mike @ Mar 28th 2008 3:22AM
well I consider myself a purchaser of an HD display device, even tho its called an hdtv.
I use it to play xbox360 in 1080p and watch 1080p movies. I couldnt care less about tv in hd. I watch only a couple programs, and i simply download them. The "HD" versions of the episodes are released usually around 30 minutes after the SD versions and I cant even be bothered to wait for them.
For my Xbox and movies tho, this HD display device is the best purchase I ever made. At times I wish it didnt come with a tuner or speakers like computer monitors and I could of saved myself alot of money since I havent even used those features on my tv ever.
Andy @ Mar 26th 2008 7:16PM
I have 2 HDTVs, when I only had my first one, I only watched HD OTA, that was like for a whole year, then for the last 2 years or so, I've had my better LCD 1080p set and I got HD Cable so that I could get perfect reception (no random drop outs, I don't own a home and can't get an outdoor antenna) as well as being able to DVR HD episodes. I got Comcast HD DVR and could never be happier. I can record 2 HD programs and watch a previously recorded HD program all at once. I can also (unofficially) transfer some of my recorded programs to my computer. It's awesome. The only downside is the price, which is way too high.
But I could see if people who can put up an outdoor antenna would choose to go OTA over paying for it. As long as you can get good reception...
But for me, like on days when Heroes and 24 are on at the same time (not gonna be for almost a year now ughgh..) I need to see both so I need to DVR both.
andy @ Mar 26th 2008 7:28PM
You realize that the TIVO S3 and the TIVO HD are both dual tuner boxes that merge cable and OTA, right?
Andy @ Mar 26th 2008 7:42PM
Actually, I didn't know they were both Dual Tuners, but like I said, I have horrible reception, the picture keeps dropping out, and I can't put up an external antenna. I need cable.
Also, the only way a Tivo would be able to pick up HD channels from my cable is through QAM, and those channel numbers change every once and a while. Also Tivo would only end up being worth it if I used it for over 2 years, so it's not a great deal. Also, I think Comcast is upgrading their DVRs to Tivo software soon too.
Can Tivo tune 2 different channels from a single source, antenna or cable, as in, not 2 connections?
Andy @ Mar 26th 2008 7:43PM
Also QAM doesn't pick up anything but local HD channels
unless it uses cablecard or something
longhairbilly @ Mar 26th 2008 7:18PM
I have been trying to upgrade my Directv to HD. Their installers are the ones delaying it. When my appt. is on a Monday and they finally call Wednesday to tell me they can't make it, and I tell them to piss off, and I wrong?
daaper @ Mar 27th 2008 12:53PM
Hell no, you're not wrong. I'd be pissed too. That really sucks that you have such poor installers in your area. The ones they use in my area are top-notch. I usually wait no more than a day or two for service/install visits and they always call before they get there.
eugene @ Mar 26th 2008 7:19PM
BSG is worth paying for.
Bhargav Nutakki @ Mar 26th 2008 7:32PM
then why did u go out and buy a HDTV?????
witsend @ Mar 26th 2008 8:11PM
So you can act cool and say things like "flat screen" and "plasma."
GSR @ Mar 26th 2008 7:39PM
I bought an HDTV to watch HD movies - the few shows I watch on TV was just an extra, and the advent of free HD video over the internet only stalls my move to cable or satellite. I'll pay for cable/sat when I feel that the price is on par with:
1- the quality of HD that is being broadcast
2- the channel lineup and number of HD programs available
Until then, I'll focus on movies either by disc or broadband...
Gus @ Mar 26th 2008 8:30PM
Yet blu ray is going to be in 29 million homes this year, amazing!
Mr. E @ Mar 26th 2008 8:33PM
Worldwide dude, worldwide.
John @ Mar 26th 2008 11:46PM
Some people just want to watch high-def movies but not pay for High def programming monthly.
Kumar @ Mar 27th 2008 9:29AM
I'm in the OTA camp for another year or so.
Waiting for the companies to drop ridiculous fees like 'HD access fee' and charging more for services that should be standard after the switchover in 2009.
Yes, I know that cable and sat are already digital (but not HD), but it just reminds me how much we get taken to the cleaners on dumb fees.
Mr. Cantu @ Mar 27th 2008 9:48AM
I'm one of those not subscribing. Right now, I'm just using my HDTV to get OTA HD and play games. I may eventually subscribe but my next move will be to get a blu-ray player, probably a PS3.
Also, I wonder how many of those subscribing to an HD service are actually setup to get an HD signal. My father in law and uncle both signed up for HD services but the installation guys failed to setup their boxes to an HD setting. It wasn't until I came over and noticed that the "HD" channels didn't look HD. I checked the settings for their receivers and sure enough they were both set to 480 instead of 720p or 1080i. My father inlaw was lucky that I came over the day after he got it setup, I'm not sure how long my uncle was paying for HD service without actually being setup for it.
roz @ Mar 27th 2008 10:38AM
I have regular cable but do not subscribe to HD - BUT local ota channels are shown in HD. So I am getting HD on cable, I am just not paying to see the non-broadcast cable channels in HD.
Harmin C. @ Mar 27th 2008 2:03PM
To all the people asking him why did he buy an HDTV?? What the hell alternative is there? Almost 99% of the televisions sold in retail stores are HDTV's. I don't know about you but I sure as hell haven't seen any new tube or SDTV's or even EDTV's in a while. The only ones i've seen are models from 2 years ago which are between 19-27 inches and are relegate to a small shelf far away.
He has no choice but to buy an HDTV now... people have to realize that just because its an HD capable tv doesn't mean people use it for hi-def. They just wanted a new tv and the only alternatives left are 720p or 1080p hdtv's. Thats why sales are skyrocketing. But this story shows that the majority dont buy HD programming.
locke6854 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:50PM
Apparently I'm one of the few that watches HD programming on my HDTV (beyond locals)? FoodHD makes me hungry.