New Orleans' Prytania rises up to 3D
[Thanks, gamedude360!]
Louisiana posts

In just a few weeks, Cox Communications will be battling for pay-TV dollars with a new rival. But the opponent won't be sporting the usual private enterprise face; instead, it'll be donning a governmental badge. The Lafayette Utilities System in the fine state of Louisiana has long made known that it was working on a FTTH project that would one day deliver HDTV programming and high-speed internet to local homes and businesses. The rollout is expected to occur in four phases, with everything being complete by 2011. Oddly enough, there are still few details to be had even though the initial rollout phase is slated for January, with LUS Director Terry Huval simply stating that "at the time we're ready to serve customers, we'll also make public our pricing packages." Well then, we guess that settles it.
Times are tough aoul over, and even cable giant Comcast isn't immune to a little tightening of the belt. Word coming out of Maine is that Comcast is looking to sell 46 of the markets on the outskirts of its footprint, mostly in Maine, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Virginia, Georgia, West Virginia and California. The move is about more than just the monies that will be generated by selling off its subscriber eyeballs, though. At a going rate of $3,000 - $4,500 per subscriber, that's not an insignificant chunk of change, either. By geographically concentrating its service areas, it should be cheaper to deliver services, including the all-important "triple play." If you're affected by this selloff, we're hoping your HD lineup won't suffer for it.
Considering that Charter provides 44 HD options to its Louisiana subscribers, it was about time that Cox Communications did something to make its lineup look even close to comparable. Thankfully, the cable carrier has finally saw fit to add in nine (unnamed) high-def channels to its Lafayette lineup, and better still, subscribers will also see a boost in internet speeds. The move brings Cox's total HD count in the area to 33, but alas, it won't come free. Oh no, customers can expect programming packages (save for basic cable) to cost around $2 to $3 more per month for the boost in service after April 1st, but there's always satellite if you feel the value's just not there.
Although Cox inked a deal to snag CNN HD (and TBS HD, mind you) some three months back, it seems as if customers in New Orleans, Louisiana are just now getting a taste. According to a tipster, Cox has just recently threw CNN and Golf / Versus into the high-definition lineup, but stations such as History Channel HD, Science HD and NHL Network HD are still sorely missing. Anyone else enjoying the (admittedly late) newcomers in the area?
If you're a Charter customer in Louisiana for whom the addition of Wealth TV wasn't enough to sate your HD appetite, don't despair. Turns out that when Charter was forced to rebuild its LA plant after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it designed around higher capacity from day one. The upshot is that the company has doubled its HD channel count in Louisiana, bringing the channel count to 44. Those of you in LA, enjoy your HD-bragging rights over the L.A. crowd. Seriously, this is good news for you customers, and a definite sign that the company is serious about the SDV rollout.
Although WealthTV has been available in select areas for awhile now, the channel is finally making its way down to the Bayou. Reportedly, Charter Communications added the station to the HD lineup in 11 Louisiana cities, including Thibodaux, Bourg, Slidell, Hammond, Marksville, New Roads, Pointe Coupee, Opelousas, Jennings, Church Point and Eunice. Unfortunately, Charter failed to mention if it would be rolling WealthTV out to other areas, but as we always say, we'll take any additions that we can get.







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