DTV switch doesn't kill TVs, drunk septuagenarians with guns kill TVs
by Richard Lawler 
posted Feb 20th 2009 at 1:19PM
[Via Multichannel News, Image courtesy of Phrank.com / Sledge Hammer]
Missouri posts
[Via Multichannel News, Image courtesy of Phrank.com / Sledge Hammer]
Sunflower Broadband subs say goodbye to Kansas City's KMBC-ABC and KCWE-CW
by Darren Murph posted Jan 1st 2009 at 11:14AM
Full TWC Kansas City expansion detailed: ten new HD nets
by Darren Murph posted Dec 6th 2008 at 10:01AM
We got early word a few days prior that some new high-def had shown up in Kansas City, Missouri, and now we've got the official word detailing the new bundle. Time Warner Cable has unloaded a new swath of HD channels via switched digital video (SDV), so we won't keep you waiting. They are: CNBC HD (1029), USA HD (1039), Cartoon Network HD (1058), FX HD (1062), SciFi HD (1063), Bravo HD (1068), SPEED HD (1201), CBS College Sports HD (1212), FOX Business News HD (1232), TMC HD (1390) and MGM HD (1501). Not a bad way to kick the weekend off, huh? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]Mediacom seeing high demand for HD DVRs, adding more HD in Springfield, MO
by Darren Murph posted Dec 4th 2008 at 1:27AM
While we genuinely feel for the HD junkies in Springfield, Missouri who are on a 200-person deep waiting list for an HD DVR, we can't help but smile at the news. Even during these bizarre economic times, the value in high-def programming is obviously shining through. Mediacom Region Operations VP Larry Peterson was quoted as saying that HD DVRs "are the holy grail right now; we've got three different manufacturers we use to try to get the boxes available and it just seems as soon as we get them in, they go out." In related news, the carrier will also be adding in eight new high-def channels on December 17th: WGN, TBS, CNN, SciFi, A&E, History, HGTV, and Food Network. Might explain the uptick in demand, wouldn't you say?Time Warner Cable adds a handful of high-def nets in Kansas City
by Darren Murph posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 7:25PM
Who would've thunk that Kansas City, Missouri would end up being a hotbed for HD competition? With SureWest, Time Warner Cable and AT&T all vying for your hard-earned dollars, it's no shock to see the middle guy adding a little incentive to its package. As of now, customers in the area can catch MGM HD, CNBC HD, FX HD, Fox Business HD, College Sports TV HD, SciFi HD and a few "others" as described by our tipster. Time for SureWest to step up now, huh? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Matt]
Kansas City's KCTV takes local news HD, leaves WDAF holding the egg
by Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 10:04PM
Yep, as of this week, KCTV (CBS) is broadcasting its local newscasts in high-definition, which gives Kansas City residents not one, not two, but three different networks to choose from when scouting HD news. The only holdout? The local FOX affiliate WDAF-TV, which apparently has no current plans to join its rivals in showing off anchors in 720p / 1080i. Good luck with that.[Thanks, Michael]
AT&T's U-verse Total Home DVR snakes into Kansas City unannounced
by Darren Murph posted Oct 16th 2008 at 5:32PM
[Thanks, Paul]
SureWest nets 100,000 broadband customers, gives two some freebies
by Darren Murph posted Oct 16th 2008 at 6:42AM
SureWest just recently lit up its 100Mbps high-speed internet service in Kansas City, and apparently, people really dug it. As of this week, the telco has managed to secure 100,000 broadband customers in its two major markets of Kansas City and Sacramento. In order to celebrate, it chose one subscriber at random from each of those regions and gave them free HDTV, digital phone and broadband internet for a year. Unlike Charter, however, we actually expect these guys to deliver on their promises.SureWest brings 100Mbps internet, HDTV to Kansas City homes
by Darren Murph posted Oct 12th 2008 at 12:26PM
While Time Warner Cable is busying trialing consumption-based internet billing, SureWest Communications is encouraging more residents of Kansas City to download at will. As of now, around 1,500 domiciles in Merriam and Olathe have access to the company's 100Mbps fiber-based internet, and it's hoping to reach thousands more homes by early 2009. Additionally, the FTTH network is bringing along a respectable array of high-def channels to those who dig the bundle, though a specific lineup wasn't mentioned. It's not quite Sigbritt Löthberg fast, but it's pretty nimble.Jefferson City's KRCG returns to DISH Network in HD
by Darren Murph posted Sep 12th 2008 at 1:07PM
For Jefferson City-area DISH Network subscribers not positioned anywhere near the KRCG-TV tower, the past few months have been extraordinarily long. On July 2nd, the channel was removed from the satcaster's lineup after talks failed regarding a retransmission agreement. Thankfully, cooler heads have at long last prevailed, and as of last week it has rejoined the lineup in spectacular high-definition. The deal between DISH and Barrington Broadcasting Group, the station's parent company, also paves the way for DISH to launch two more of its stations this month: WEYI (NBC) in Flint, Michigan and KHQA-DT (ABC) in Quincy, Illinois. Oh, happy days.[Thanks, Joshua]
KOMU-TV brings HD news to mid-Missouri
by Darren Murph posted Aug 11th 2008 at 9:59AM
Though not the first HD news station in Missouri, KOMU-TV is the first station in the mid-state to bring high-def news to locals. The NBC affiliate serving the Columbia and Jefferson City areas has just went live with HD newscasts, including the region's first high-definition radar. We're seeing these things pop up at a pretty impressive rate nowadays -- puts a smile on our face, that's for sure.[Thanks, Annie]
Surewest adding 18 new HD channels in Kansas City
by Richard Lawler posted Jul 9th 2008 at 9:52PM
Along with changing the name of the recently-acquired Everest Broadband unit to match the rest of the family, SureWest Communications is rolling out 18 new HDTV channels to Kansas City customers over the next month or so. If you don't have SureWest service yet, you might soon, as its also adding an additional 10,000 homes in the area this year to its FTTH footprint, with most having access to 50Mbps speeds up and downstream. As far as what channels specifically are coming, you're on your own so keep an eye on the channel listing.TWC brings a dozen HD channels to Kansas City, has SDV to thank
by Darren Murph posted Jul 5th 2008 at 3:49PM
Remember how we told you that switched digital video was enabling more and more cable carriers to add more HD channels? Case, meet point. Just days after Time Warner Cable implemented SDV in Kansas City (and ticked off more than a few CableCARD users), we've now found out why such a decision was made. As of now, twelve new high-def channels are at everyone's disposal, including TBS HD (1014), TLC HD (1040), Travel Channel HD (1050), CNN HD (1044), Science HD (1023), Versus / Golf HD (1055), Animal Planet HD (1057), Fox News HD (1060), ESPNews HD (1204), Outdoor Channel HD (1202), Biography HD (1217) and Planet Green HD (1226). Unfortunately for the 1,200 or so KC-area CableCARD users, every last one of these new stations are being delivered via SDV, so unless you revert back to the company-issued set-top-box, you'll be moseying over to the neighbor's house in order to catch a glimpse.[Thanks, Jondy and Matt]
TWC implementing switched digital video in Kansas City
by Darren Murph posted Jul 3rd 2008 at 9:00AM
Stay sharp, Time Warner Cable subscribers -- we've got a feeling the switched digital video wave is just beginning to swell. Merely hours after hearing that San Diego residents were receiving a letter informing them that SDV was on the way, one particular user in Kansas City has apparently received the same. Better still, he was kind enough to post the full text, which explains that a number of "lesser-viewed" channels will be delivered via SDV as of August 20th. Of course, this means that existing CableCARD users will be out of luck unless they pick up a tuning adapter, and while some carriers have already committed to handing them out to those in need for free, TWC is entirely more ambiguous. The exact verbiage reads: "It is currently contemplated that the Tuning Adapter will be provided at no additional charge," but those unwilling to wait will be forced to pick up one of the carrier's own set-top-boxes in order to see the stations. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]Time Warner Cable brings four new HD channels to Kansas City, MO
by Darren Murph posted Jun 29th 2008 at 8:46PM
While it has been Charter of late doing all the lineup boosting in the Show Me State, Time Warner Cable is finally getting in gear and introducing four new high-definition channels in Kansas City. As of right this moment, subscribers in the region can find HDTV HD (1054), Food Network HD (1052), Discovery HD (1045) and MHD (1024) in the EPG. The release also notes that TWC "anticipates adding more new HD channels by the end of the month," but we don't have to tell you not to hold your breath. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jondy]
