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Posts with tag Illinois

Charter reaches agreement with Big Ten Network just in time to see Ohio State be totally awesome

by Richard Lawler, posted Aug 27th 2008 at 9:48AM


Charter's next on the block to add the Big Ten Network and "related programming" in time for Saturday's football openers. No word whether or not this will include the HD version of the network, or if it will be in time for the start of the season, but it is definitely on the way. In a minor footnote, Charter mentioned that in addition to carrying the BTN across its systems in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Northern Illinois it's also reupping Jim Tressel's snazzy sweatervest collection, teaching Terrelle Pryor the correct name of "the University of Ohio State University" and teaching Ohio State how to defend against the spread offense. Good times all around.

Comcast lighting up 15 HD channels in Chicago, Illinois

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 15th 2008 at 5:52PM

Is this a trend we spot, or just a small flurry of Comcast expansions that sadly won't affect the rest of the nation? While we're obviously hoping, praying, pleading for the former to be true, citizens of Chicago, Illinois can expect a whopping 15 new high-def stations to arrive on their EPG in a matter of days. Aside from the highly-anticipated Big Ten Network launch, users will also find Weather Channel HD (270), FX HD (267), Fox News HD (265), Bravo HD (278), NFL Network HD (234), SPEED HD (237) and our personal favorite, QVC HD on slot 282. Check the read link for the full list, or just turn to QVC HD and zone out for a few days.

[Thanks, cypherstream]

RCN signs on to provide Chicago's TheWit Hotel with HDTV

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 2nd 2008 at 11:30PM


With the battle in full force between AT&T and local cable carriers RCN / Comcast, we're seeing more than just price wars breaking out. RCN has decided to flex its muscle in a different way by inking a deal to provide Chicago's TheWit Hotel with HDTV programming. Currently, the venue is still under construction, but by the time the doors swing open for guests in May of 2009, the carrier should have high-def material piped to all 298 rooms. Mmm, the sweet, sweet scent of competition in the air.

Chicago's WGN takes local news to HD

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 8:01PM


Whoa, WGN news is lookin' good in high-definition! The superstation has finally taken a hint and got with the program by unveiling its HD newscasts. Viewers can tune in locally on Chicago's local CW affiliate, while national onlookers can switch over to WGN America HD. Check the read link for more high-resolution screen captures.

[Thanks John and Stephen]

AT&T fires up U-verse in more of Chicago market

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 9:28PM


As the race continues to see who can spread their fiber-based networks across more US territory first, AT&T is hoping to excite quite a few Chicago residents by stringing U-verse to around "175 towns in the Chicago market, including many Northwest and West suburbs." Make no mistake -- AT&T's gunning for Comcast here, but unfortunately, it doesn't look as if 2 HD / 2 SD will be rolled out at this time. No specifics on communities were passed along, so if you're in the area and looking for a change, phone up this carrier and see what transpires.

AT&T's U-verse could head to Glen Ellyn, IL

by Darren Murph, posted May 15th 2008 at 12:27PM


Go on AT&T, dance like nobody's watchin'. Just days after hearing that U-verse would likely find a home in Baton Rouge, LA and certain parts of Alabama, along comes a tidbit suggesting that West Chicago could be next. According to an article within the latest Glen Ellyn Newsletter, AT&T will be "performing an infrastructure upgrade" to its system in Glen Ellyn over the next six to nine months "in order to provide better phone service, enhance and expand its DSL offerings and introduce a new video service to residents." Project Lightspeed, as it's dubbed, will reportedly begin to roll out as early as this month, but there's no telling how long it'll take to be totally installed. For more details, hit up the PDF in the read link below and scroll to the bottom of page 4.

[Thanks, Matt]

Ten best technology-infused hotels in Chicago get listed

by Darren Murph, posted May 4th 2008 at 8:53AM


Considering the absolute mess that O'Hare International is, we'd wager that you'll end up there a time or two on business or pleasure ventures. If so, chances are you'll be anxious to tune into a bit of HDTV after a long day in the Windy City. The Chicago Tribune has taken the liberty of breaking down the top ten best tech hotels Chi-town has to offer, and unsurprisingly, Hyatt properties -- you know, those with the Plug Panel -- were ranked quite highly. Additionally, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is currently undergoing a pricey technology renovation that will be completed in 2009, and while it's not mentioned (could have something to do with all those construction workers still in the bathrooms), we'd imagine the Chicagoland aloft will hit the list next July.

AT&T upgrading network, spreading U-verse in Illinois

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 26th 2008 at 9:29AM


Looks like Wisconsin isn't the only state getting gifted with more U-verse, as AT&T is expected to dump some $1.3 billion over the next several years to "upgrade its network in Illinois." Furthermore, it'll be bringing U-verse to even more Illinois suburbs, bringing the total communities served in the state to 230. Unfortunately, that's about it for details -- no word on which suburbs will be on the receiving end of new U-verse access, but we're sure the plans will get fleshed out before too long.

Comcast drops 22 new HD channels on Bloomington, IL

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 26th 2008 at 11:16PM


Finding out that you'll be receiving 11 new high-def channels makes for a fairly enjoyable day -- discover that double that will be arriving and you might as well spark up a formal celebration for the entire neighborhood. Reportedly, Comcast subscribers in the Normal / Bloomington, Illinois region (formerly Insight territory) -- including Bartonville, Bellevue, Creve Coeur, East Peoria, Norwood, Peoria Heights, Peoria, Tazewell County (Peoria), Wasthington and West Peoria -- will be seeing 22 new HD channels as of April 30th. We're also keeping our fingers crossed that this is a precedent that will extend to other areas of the country in the not-too-distant future. Think you can handle the list? It's waiting after the jump (and shown above).

[Thanks, Mike and Adam]

Continue reading Comcast drops 22 new HD channels on Bloomington, IL

aloft opening HDTV-equipped hotel in Chicagoland

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 20th 2008 at 1:20PM


Sure, a trio of aloft hotels opening halfway across the world is fine and dandy, but how's about getting one right here in the US of A? Sure enough, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced plans to construct an aloft facility in the outskirts of Chicago -- Bolingbrook to be precise. The venue is slated to house 155 guest rooms and be located in The Promenade on the Windy City's southwest side. Of course, each room will feature wireless internet and a smattering of connectivity options all linked into a flat-panel HDTV. Unfortunately, it'll be July of 2009 before you can check in for a night or two, but at least you know where to steer your travel plans if heading this way.

Cubs Forever documentary coming to WGN HD

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 2nd 2008 at 11:49AM


Alright, Cubbies fans -- this is your year. What better way to end the streak than on the 100th anniversary of your last World Series win, right? In preparation for the upcoming season, WGN-Channel 9 is gearing up to air a two-hour documentary called Cubs Forever, which is in celebration of the 60th anniversary of WGN airing its first Cubs baseball game. For the historians in the crowd, that April 16th, 1948 matchup between your beloved Cubbies and the cross-town White Sox was actually an exhibition, but on April 20th of this year, fans will be able to witness "interviews with more than 60 Cubs players, fans and team staffers" that have been a part of the WGN / Cubs partnership. No word on an exact airing time just yet, but you can rest assured that it'll be beamed out in glorious high-definition.

[Image courtesy of VacationsByRail]

AT&T brings U-verse to Northeastern Illinois: largest launch market to date

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 28th 2008 at 9:24PM


No sooner than Southern Illinois gets gifted with a handful of new HD channels on Mediacom, the opposite side of the state now has access to U-verse. You heard right -- Northeastern Illinois has just been dubbed AT&T's largest U-verse market launch to date, giving more than 175 communities the ability to acquire its fiber-based services. More specifically, residents in Bellwood, Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake, Dolton, Elmhurst, Harvey, Hoffman Estates, Melrose Park, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, River Grove, St. Charles and Waukegan (among many, many more) can all phone up AT&T and get U-verse headed to their abodes. And yes, Big Ten Network is indeed included in the lineup, so you can let loose that pending sigh of relief.

Mediacom gears up to add four new HD channels in Southern Illinois

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 28th 2008 at 2:47PM


According to The Southern Illinoisan, Mediacom is getting set to unveil a new HD-centric plan for junkies like us, but better yet, it's readying four new high-definition channels to boot. Reportedly, customers in the area will soon be able to sign up for HD Family Basic, which "adds seven channels to the company's Family Basic plan at no charge." The first three stations to debut on the plan will be ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and Discovery Theater HD, and "within the next 45 days," subscribers will also be treated to TNT HD, TBS HD, CNN HD and Fox Sports Midwest HD. Oh, and if you really needed one more wild promise from a carrier about future HD offerings, Mediacom Director of Operations Dale Haney has stated that the outfit "plans on doubling HD channels throughout the year." We'll see about that, now won't we?

[Thanks, Peter S.]

Chicago's NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) airs first newscast in HD

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 16th 2008 at 7:21AM

Hard to believe that Chicago's local news on NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) wasn't already airing in HD, but nevertheless, it finally made the leap to high-definition this week. Not that staring at talking heads in 720p / 1080i is that much more enjoyable or anything, but at least it justifies that HDTV purchase a touch more, right?

[Thanks, Brian]




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