Not many HD fans have had to go through a longer drought without
new HD channels than Verizon FiOS TV customers, but with analog channels dropping like flies all across the country, we have a juicy little rumor that we just want to believe -- after all, we already feel
lied to with spring half way over. The one thing that really adds credibility to the rumor that 26 newcomers will be added by the end of July is the fact that all but two markets will
be analog free just in time for 26 new channels of high-def goodness. Many don't realize that
Verizon is out of bandwidth on its QAM infrastructure, so in order to free up enough space for 100 HD channels -- unfortunately not all the new throughput will be dedicated to HD -- and to keep
its promise to the FCC, Verizon is eliminating 49 analog stations. The bad news is that Florida and Texaswill have to wait another few months before they'll have access. The full list is after the break.
Rumored HD channel additions to Verizon's FiOS TV lineup:
- Animal Planet HD
- TBS HD
- ESPNews HD
- Big Ten Network HD
- The History Channel HD
- MOJO HD
- CNN HD
- The Learning Channel HD
- Showtime Too HD East
- Cinemax West HD
- The Science Channel HD
- Showtime HD West
- HBO West HD
- The Weather Channel HD
- Starz Edge HD
- USA HD
- Versus / Golf HD
- Starz Comedy HD
- Bravo HD
- CNBC HD
- Starz Kids and Family HD
- Outdoor Channel HD
- SCI FI HD
- Lifetime HD East
- Smithsonian HD
- Pay Per View HD (Events)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Funkybrunk @ May 8th 2008 1:08PM
What happened to 60 channels of HD by Spring? Its about time they added more channels, they have a long way to go to get 120 channels by the end of the year.
Ben @ May 8th 2008 1:12PM
Great point!
I updated the post!
Ben
Achilles @ May 8th 2008 1:19PM
Looks like a step in the right direction. I'm a DTV customer but I'm interested in how well the channels will perform.
MadMike @ May 8th 2008 2:47PM
Verizon sent me a letter saying they were shutting all analog channels to add more HD.
But I already have most of those channels, so nothing new I guess.
But, NO FX-HD!!!!!!!!!!!!11111one WTF?!?!
Jay Lucky @ May 8th 2008 3:11PM
This is awesome news if true! I recently switched over to FiosTV from Comcast because I moved into Verizons support area here in Portland. The quality is definitely better IMO than Comcasts, quite a noticeable difference on my 60".
Not sure why we have to wait until July here since our infrastructure was built out as all digital.. but irregardless, more HD channels will be a welcome site.
Harley3k @ May 8th 2008 3:13PM
Big whoop... Sci-Fi HD just in time for BattleStar season to be frickin' OVER.
And no FX-HD for Rescue Me?!? WTF?
And I'm in Texas, one of the biggest markets, so I get to wait LAST?!@
F**K them.
Jason @ May 9th 2008 7:42AM
Don't you mean frackin' over? =P
And most likely...the season will be split up, somewhere around the 10th to 12th episode. Thats how they did season 2 and 3...so you'll probably get to see the second half of the episodes in HD...
Harley3k @ May 8th 2008 3:19PM
Lifetime HD EAST, but no FX HD?
WTF are they thinking?
I mean WTF?
Seriously WTF?
Really...
WTF.
Rich @ May 8th 2008 3:34PM
Very cool! I can't wait until Verizon FIOS TV is licensed here in the Seattle area so I can give Comcast it's walking papers.
bitguru @ May 8th 2008 3:36PM
I've been waiting for either FiOS or Cox to get the Big Ten Network (even in SD) so I hope these "rumored channel additions" are correct.
J. Chuan @ May 8th 2008 6:48PM
How about using your Engadget media credentials to get some concrete word out of Verizon?
ieko @ May 8th 2008 7:13PM
It's Florida, CALIFORNIA, and Texas who have to wait for their analog shut-off.
I should know :(
djam @ May 9th 2008 6:16PM
I have a friend that works for VZ in the NY area...it's true. He got a handout the other day
kermit24 @ May 10th 2008 1:12PM
Wow! I can actually watch Boxing PPV in HD - Not in time for the Mayweather fight though?
Will these come to CA in July? Let's get some words from VZ itself!
djam @ May 10th 2008 9:57PM
They (verizon) is calling this "PHASE 1" of their HD rollout !!! I wonder whats next ?
Vin Cal @ May 12th 2008 5:37PM
Any word on the Baseball package , Extra Innings?
Daniel @ May 14th 2008 9:02PM
extra innings AND center ice !
Jamie @ May 15th 2008 4:37PM
I switched to Fios in September cause they were promising more HD then Comcast, which is what I had. So far I don't see where they have delivered. The picture quality is better. These additions would be a great 1st step, but I really want Extra Innings, Center Ice and the NBA league pass to be available too.
buddy @ Jun 12th 2008 2:49PM
I only watch hd channel all the time, their should be a hd only package available from any of these tv broadcasters(fios, direct tv, comcast,and dish tv). Why should I pay for the whole sd package when I do not watch them? Or create a hd channels package and sd channels only as an option. Fios as of now has no hd ppv channel (701).
joos @ Jun 13th 2008 3:55PM
to add on to that 5-42 being return.42-50 fcc /emergency broadcast.wich leaves 51-850 for tv.1 256 qam = 6 mhz.2 hd per qam 4 sd per qam.you do the math.
joos @ Jun 13th 2008 3:59PM
you do realize by adding more hd channels htey will be compressed to 3:1 qam.wich is what everyone is complaining about with cable right?Contrary to popular belief fios and cable have the exact same bandwith to work with.True they are bringing there analog channels down to 0 but its still 5-850 mgh
Ben @ Jun 13th 2008 4:06PM
Although I agree that FiOS is limited in bandwidth, I don't agree that they are going to 3 HD channels per QAM.
Eliminating 50 analog channels opens up enough bandwidth for 100 HD channels, without adding any QAM channels. FiOS is only adding 27 HD channels, that leaves plenty for their other additions.
If FiOS wanted to squeeze 3 HD channels per QAM, why wait? They could've added channels long ago.
I believe that Verizon doesn't want to invest in the equipment to squeeze bits, because they agreed to go all digital (part of the FCC deal to get a 1 year integration ban waiver). I believe it is cheaper for them to add QAM channels then it would be to squeeze 3 HD channels onto 1 QAM.
The other big difference between FiOS and cable, is that VOD doesn't take up any QAM bandwidth.
All of these factors should allow FiOS to continue to provide the best PQ, even if they can't compete on selection.
joos @ Jun 13th 2008 4:29PM
they might be able to pull of the 27 hd but its going to be 27 hd and 98 sd.that and cable vod doesnt take qam channels either its all in the return in pulse data.37mhz down 10.4 up
Ben @ Jun 13th 2008 4:30PM
I admit that I don't know what "return in pulse data" is, but I have found VOD programming in the clear when scanning clear qam and I know it was VOD, as the person paused it while I was watching and this is before the start over feature was implemented in my area. Not sure if clear qam tuners in TVs are capable of tuning in "return in pulse data" and making them look like clear qam channels, but yeah.
joos @ Jun 13th 2008 4:37PM
ok i meant the return frequencies 5-42 and pulse data being different from a normal constanat signal. it is only on when you wish to view it.like switched video just the source is a little different,because it doesnt come from the allocated head end for that town.Your converter has an ip that it is sent to not via the normal tv qam channels
Steve @ Jun 19th 2008 11:31PM
Yes! I live in NJ and I am dying to get the big ten network. I guess since they are adding the big 10 network in HD that they will be adding the regular channels also?!?!?!?!?!?!
Nick @ Jun 20th 2008 10:25PM
This might be dumb question, but I ordered a HD on demand movie the other day (into the wild) and it didnt work, it was all jumbled and blocky. Is that normal....any ideas why that would happen? Are they not HD on demand capiable?
joos @ Jun 25th 2008 3:27PM
nick,if you experience tiling through vod on either company the problem is with there vod server.if i were you i'd call and get my money back