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HD channel expansion roundup

by Richard Lawler posted May 31st 2009 at 5:44PM


Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say!


Read - Time Warner Cable launches Smithsonian Channel in high definition
Read - Brighthouse Tampa Bay adds Fox News, MLB Network, SPEED, WGN America, CNBC, AMC, Bio, WZRA (Thanks, Kaylan)
Read - Comcast adds Speed/FX/Fox News in New Jersey (Thanks, Sriram)
Read - Massive Comcast additions coming to Ann Arbor "Soon" (Thanks, Jordan)
Read - Verizon adds 8 new HD channels in Tampa Bay (Thanks, Mike)

HD channel expansion roundup

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 26th 2009 at 2:22AM


Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say!

Read - MTVN Launches Six HD Channels With SES
Read - TiVo takes on Nielsen
Read - Comcast Adds 27 HD Networks in Houston
Read - World Fishing Network: Fully Hooked On HD
Read - Smithsonian Networks(TM) and Time Warner Cable Sign Programming Distribution Deal
Read - Telemundo Leads HDTV Charge
Read - BET HD Now Available on Cox
Read - U-verse TV Starts 2009 With Record Quarter
Read - Comcast adds 27 new HD channels in Portland
Cablevision to add Live Well HD (Thanks LI PC Tech)
Read - Cablevision: High Definition Encore and Starz On Demand added
Read - Ringgold Telephone Company (RTC) is proud to announce the availability of eight additional high-definition television channels
Read - TMJ4 is Now HD (Thanks Paul)
Read - FOX 17: Broadcasting in High Definition (Thanks Alex)

AT&T's U-verse: now with 100+ HD channels in every market

by Darren Murph posted Mar 2nd 2009 at 1:13PM

Look out, pay-TV providers -- AT&T just broke out the big stick and announced that it's now beaming at least 100 high-def channels in every last one of its markets. In fact, that's more HD channels than any local cable competitor in any existing U-verse market. Just in case you were wondering, customers won't be dinged any extra for the new additions, with HD service being included with the U450 tier and available for $10 per month with any other U-verse TV package. So yeah, we're stoked as can be for those with access to this stuff, but can we get a little market expansion going on now that the century mark has been passed?

HD channel expansion roundup

by Darren Murph posted Feb 21st 2009 at 3:32PM

Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say!

  • Read - WENY to add hi-def channels, CBS soon
  • Read - AT&T U-verse Arrives in Colchester, Portland and Salem
  • Read - First batch of new Bright House channels
  • Read - Charter has no plans to restore Nashville stations to lineup
  • Read - National Geographic Channels International And Parthenon Celebrate Ten Year Output Deal
  • Read - Cox Communications to Add 5 New HD Channels
  • Read - TWC adds new HD channels in Cleveland, Ohio [Thanks, Roosevelt]
  • TWC adds four HD channels in Austin, Texas [Thanks, Brandon and Chad]

HD channel expansion roundup

by Darren Murph posted Feb 7th 2009 at 4:27PM


It's been a busy, busy week in the world of high-def channel expansion here in the US of A, and we've rounded up the newcomers, the dropouts and the switcheroos as best we could below. If we missed a station or two in your neck of the woods, feel free to broadcast it in comments below.

  • Read - DISH drops Smithsonian HD, adds C&I HD
  • Read - FOX converts DC news to HD [Thanks, Eric]
  • Read - FOX Business Signs Distribution Agreement with DISH Network
  • Read - Fuel TV, FX HD and SPEED HD make their way to Cox
  • Read - New Bright House Networks EPG
  • AT&T's U-verse comes to Rome, Georgia [Thanks, Lee]
  • Read - KDFI goes HD in Dallas, Texas [Thanks, Joe]
  • Cox adds six HD stations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana [Thanks, Mr. Brown]
  • TWC adds "tons" of new HD in South Manhattan [Thanks, Lee]
  • Read - Palladia HD moving to U-verse Premium Tier [Thanks, Anthony]
  • Cartoon, Bravo and CNBC come to Comcast Vermont in HD [Thanks, B. Marriner]
  • Read - WMHT Albany goes HD on DirecTV [Thanks, Andrew]
  • TWC Rochester adds Bravo, CNBC, SciFi and USA in HD [Thanks, Anthony]

DISH Network pulls up 30 stations short of 150 HD channels goal

by Darren Murph posted Dec 31st 2008 at 2:11PM


It was a valiant effort, it really was, but unless DISH Network pulls 30 channels out of its back pocket this afternoon, it will fall short of its 150 HD channel goal. If you'll recall, the satcaster proudly proclaimed that it would be offering 150 high-def channels before the year's end, and with just hours to go (in this part of the world, anyway) before 2009 begins, it looks like failure is in sight. Now, there's nothing at all wrong with 120 high-definition stations -- we mean, hordes of cable subscribers would do unfathomable things for that many options -- but it's certainly good to call DISH on the rug in order to get those extra 30 out on the double. Let's make a deal, DISH -- you provide the remainder to the people within 30 days or so, and we'll pretend you meant before Chinese New Year.

Poll: With over 100 HD channels, are you switching to satellite?

by Darren Murph posted Aug 2nd 2008 at 12:00PM


Phew. Talk about a whirlwind of high-def announcements this week. No sooner did DirecTV trumpet its march to 130 HD channels did DISH Network hit back with a nice round 150 figure. Cablevision tried its best to garner some attention with a boastful press release to celebrate the big six-o, but it's clear who the two HD leaders in America are now (with Verizon breathing down their necks in a few 'hoods). That being said, are you finally getting the itch to throw caution to the wind and toss a dish upside your house? Are you really ready to say goodbye to those cable company bundle discounts? And if 130 / 150 isn't enough, what milestone will the satcasters have to reach before you cave?

[Image courtesy of WikiMedia]

With over 100 HD channels, are you switching to satellite?

DirecTV announces next 44 markets to get HD locals

by Darren Murph posted Jul 28th 2008 at 1:49PM

Not quite a month after DISH Network unveiled its summer / fall HD locals, DirecTV is continuing to excite by announcing its next 44 markets that will receive HD locals. According to the company, it will be providing local HD broadcasts in 121 cities by the end of 2008, which will reportedly represent 88-percent of US TV households. Just after 30 some-odd new HD channels go live on August 14th, it will begin rolling out HD locals to cities like Augusta, GA, Baton Rouge, LA, Boise, ID, Chattanooga, TN and El Paso, TX. There are 39 more markets to scan through in the read link -- here's to hoping your locale is listed!

Cablevision trumpets 60 HD channels, DirecTV / Verizon chuckle

by Darren Murph posted Jul 28th 2008 at 1:27PM

Maybe Cablevision just pulled the trigger without looking, but rather than holding its head in shame after hearing that Verizon hit 100 HD channels (at least in NY) and DirecTV would soon reach 130, it decided to pump out a release bragging about reaching the mighty six-oh. Granted, 60 high-def stations is way more than some carriers offer in some locales (TWC, we're looking at you), but the timing is comical regardless. Cablevision will soon be adding 15 new high-definition channels to its iO TV lineup, with some regions seeing them as early as today. The newcomers are: AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, Fox News HD, FX HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, IFC HD, Nickelodeon HD, Science HD, SPEED HD, Spike HD, The Weather Channel HD, TLC HD, Travel Channel HD and WE HD. Oh, and before you Cablevision subscribers gripe over "just" having 60, remember the folks in much worse situations.

DirecTV to boast 130 HD channels on August 14th, 1080p movies later this year

by Darren Murph posted Jul 28th 2008 at 12:40PM Breaking News

Now this is what we're talking about! On the very same morning that Verizon trumpets its achievement of hitting 100 high-def channels in New York, along comes DirecTV to make that figure look second-rate. The satcaster has just announced that it will be hosting upwards of 130 high-definition channels on August 14th, which means that 30 or so newcomers are just weeks away from going live. All of the channels will be transmitted in the MPEG-4 AVC standard, and if you're curious, it also plans to provide "movies in 1080p" later this year. Included in the new stations will be Showtime Extreme HD, Showtime Showcase HD, Planet Green HD, ABC Family HD, additional DirecTV HD pay-per-view channels and 23 more regional sports networks in high-def 24 hours a day. Any other carriers feel like doing the leapfrog today?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Where Is HD? integrates VOD into listings

by Darren Murph posted May 13th 2008 at 4:52AM


Not too much to say beyond the title, but everyone's favorite high-def lister has now begun to integrate video-on-demand offerings into the lineups. It should be noted that VOD listings aren't totally implemented just yet, so if you see a few holes in your own carrier's list, rest assured that plugs are on the way.

Where Is HD? adds HD-ready channels to listings

by Darren Murph posted May 4th 2008 at 4:38PM


Your favorite HD locator has been updated yet again, barely a week after colored genres and printouts appeared. This time, the refresh brings in HD-ready channels, which are networks that do not currently produce any bona fide HD content, yet are apt to make the switch in short order. For example, here in the frigid town of Barrow, Alaska, we see that 5 StarMAX and Independent Film Channel HD are both being included for the 99723 zip code as HD-ready. On a related note, a listing of HD News is now available for those fervently checking their listings on a daily basis.

Where Is HD? adds colored genres, printable listings

by Darren Murph posted Apr 24th 2008 at 3:22AM


Yeah, we're still not thrilled that Where is HD? lists TBS HD, TNT HD and other stretch-o-vision networks as broadcasting 100-percent high-def material, but aside from a few minor gripes, it's still a fairly useful service. Recently, the HD locator tool has added in colors to differentiate between genres (locals, sports and movies currently), and just in case you feel like printing your listing out and posting it up for grandma to peek when she house-sits, there's an option for that as well. Now, if only we actually had a domicile in 96740...

DirecTV relies on Where Is HD? data for quantity comparisons

by Darren Murph posted Apr 4th 2008 at 6:54PM


We're not entirely sure how long this has been going on, but on DirecTV's "Stomps the Competition" page, it relies on data from Where Is HD? in order to stack cable providers up against itself and DISH Network. In reality, there's no question that DTV currently holds the crown as the provider of the most HD in America, but given the pool of complaints from commenters about the accuracy of Where Is HD?, we're curious to know if the figure shown is just an average of zip codes sampled or something else. Overall, it's a petty matter -- after all, 55 HD channels on cable is a heck of a lot more than a huge chunk of cable users get today, so it's not like DirecTV is giving coax an unfair rub. Check the full spread below.

[Thanks, Cody]

Where Is HD? lays out your options when selecting a provider

by Darren Murph posted Mar 14th 2008 at 3:01PM


There's really no other way to say it: Where Is HD? is one of the -- if not the -- most incredibly tool to date for folks yearning to see if they've made the best choice for an HD provider. Early last month, we laid out the basics for you to digest, but the Where Is HD? website takes things one step further by enabling you to input your zip code and browse through the various providers available to you. Best of all, it not only includes cable and satellite carriers, but OTA options and fiber operators as well. Heck, there's even a percentage listing to tell you how much content on each channel is actually being aired in high-def. Eager to see what's readily available in your neck of the woods? Tag the read link below and eat your heart out.




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