A hot, hot summer isn't keeping The Weinstein Company from staying busy, as just weeks after announcing its intentions to finally join the herd and go Blu-ray exclusive comes word that it has inked a long-term deal with Showtime Networks. The two have entered into an "exclusive seven-year film distribution arrangement" which will be effective with Weinstein's 2009 release schedule. Showtime viewers can expect to see Nine, Inglorious Bastards and other highly acclaimed pictures from the outfit, and for those interested, you may be stoked to find that the output deal "also includes releases from Dimension Films." So, is this enough incentive to keep this premium around?

As our eagle-eyed tipster Doug so eloquently put it, we too aren't sure how this one got overlooked. In the midst of LIN TV hammering out deals with DirecTV, Charter, SuddenLink and DISH Network, this particular deal managed to slip through the cracks. Nevertheless, the media company has indeed entered into an agreement with Comcast to keep locals in 15 markets on the air. For specifics on which markets we're referring to, check out the second paragraph in the read link.

[Thanks, Doug]

Another month, another carrier picking up Hallmark Movie Channel HD. This time, we see Cox Communications landing an agreement with Crown Media Holdings in order to distribute the high-definition feed of Hallmark Movie Channel. The operator currently beams out the SD flavor along with Hallmark Channel, but this newly inked multi-year agreement ensures that fans of the network will soon be seeing an HD version. Exactly how soon, unfortunately, remains unanswered.

Whoa, Nelly! After what seems like eons, Comcast and the Big Ten Network have finally put their problems aside and reached an agreement. Of course, we heard yesterday that the deal was close, but we didn't exactly predict that it was this close. Under the terms of the deal, Comcast will "initially launch BTN as part of its expanded basic level of service to promote it to the majority of its customers residing in states with Big Ten universities on August 15th. Next Spring, the carrier reserves the right to "move the network to a broadly distributed digital level of service in most of its systems in these states." As expected, users will have access to all high-definition feeds as well, which is sure to bring a smile to Big Ten fanatics across Comcast's footprint.

We sort of figured the flames in the AT&T / EchoStar relationship were all but extinguished, but this pretty much puts the lid on things. According to a recent 8-K filing with the SEC, AT&T is demanding that DISH Network pay back a $500 million note which is due July 2010. Reportedly, the note would have eventually converted to DISH shares at $60.25, but given the current $33 stock price, it seems AT&T isn't really interested in twiddling its thumbs. Bernstein Analyst Craig Moffett mentions that the note was "first acquired in 2003 as part of AT&T's strategic resale agreement with DISH (formerly EchoStar)," and while neither party has outrightly denied a potential buyout, this kind of action seems to signify that the love connection has been terminated.

[Thanks, VANBROTHERS]

Could it finally be happening? The bigwigs at Comcast and Big Ten Network are actually closing in on a deal? According to a recent writeup originating in the Chicago Tribune, a long-awaited partnership between the carrier and station is expected to become official at any moment. A BTN spokesperson told the Star Tribune that "while the deal between the sides is close, there is nothing to report at this point." However, the individual did admit that the two parties "remain close to reaching an agreement." Needless to say, quite a few individuals (hundreds of thousands, actually) in the Big Ten footprint would be elated to have their upcoming football season around and in HD, but considering just how long this bickering has been going on, we aren't jotting this one in stone quite yet.

Whoa, that was speedy. Just hours after the retransmission agreement between LIN TV and DirecTV was made public, hordes of subscribers are jumping for joy. Why all the leaping, you ask? Because many of the channels in the pact are already airing in gorgeous HD around the country. Flip on your tele and let us know if you're so lucky.

[Thanks, Rob]

LIN TV sure does take these retransmission agreements seriously, and while it seems that things aren't going so great between it and Charter, all is well with DirecTV. The recent agreement covers television stations "owned and / or operated by LIN TV in 15 markets," including networks in Albuquerque, Austin, Buffalo, Dayton, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Springfield, Providence, Norfolk, Toledo, Mobile, Hartford-New Haven and Ft. Wayne. Of course, we never really heard that there was any discord between these two parties in particular, but it's good to see all systems are go at least for the foreseeable future.

We already knew the MountainWest Sports Network was destined to land on DirecTV eventually, and while we had heard that September was looking like a good candidate for a launch month, fans of the conference will be delighted to know that it'll be going live on the satcaster this August. Beginning on Wednesday, August 27th -- just in time for the BYU opener against Northern Iowa on August 30th -- The Mtn. will go live on channel 616. Notably, it'll be available on DirecTV CHOICE (and higher packages) for Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Dallas / Fort Worth / San Diego, though customers outside of these regions will be required to subscribe to DirecTV's Sportspack. For more on what to expect from the network this football season, head southwest to the read link.

Starz Entertainment's own broadband video service is doing a special little jig for Verizon's customers, as the two companies have just inked a "comprehensive, multi-year agreement that will bring exclusive hit movies from Starz to Verizon's more than 8.5 million broadband subscribers and the full array of Starz products to Verizon's FiOS TV and FiOS internet / DSL customers." Of course, folks interested will still have to fork over $5.99 per month to access the subscription based service, but at least you can do so with the knowledge that "exclusive content" will soon be at your fingertips. Moving on, the two also expanded their current FiOS TV affiliation agreement, with the new deal securing delivery of all 16 Starz, Encore and MoviePlex premium channels, all of its HD channels and every VOD / HD VOD outlet. Now that's something we can really smile about.

Considering that everybody is buying panels from everybody else these days, we're thrilled to announce that one more cute couple is joining the fray. Sanyo has recently announced that it has "started buying liquid crystal display panels from Sharp for use in its flat TVs sold in North America." According to Sanyo spokesman Hiroyuki Okamoto, the two firms are also pondering "joint development of kitchen appliances such as microwave ovens," but no further details were immediately available. LCD HDTVs and blenders -- a match made in heaven.

[Thanks, Atiba]

For those with DISH Network, chances are you've already realized that World Fishing Network HD joined the lineup this past Monday. Nevertheless, the channel -- along with Insight Sports -- is eager for the world to know that WFN HD has indeed landed a carriage agreement on the aforementioned satcaster. In case you couldn't guess from the channel's name, it promises to deliver 24 / 7 fishing action, including shows like Dave Mercer's Facts of Fishing, The New Fly Fisher, Fishing the Flats, Fins N' Skins Classic Adventures and George Poveromo's Saltwater Fishing. Never mind buying a rod and reel -- just kick back and watch the real anglers do it.

After tying the knot with AT&T and Verizon, it seems that Lifetime HD has wooed Cox Communications as well. Lifetime Networks has just announced a "wide-ranging agreement" that will bring all of its multi-platform channels -- including Lifetime Television HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Lifetime On Demand and Lifetime Movie Network Espanol On Demand -- to the cable carrier. Of course, the network took the opportunity to restate just how many females aged 18 to 54 will be absolutely elated to hear the news, but they'll all have to patiently wait until June before it begins rolling out to Cox systems.

For those with ridiculously sharp memories, you'll easily recall that DuPont has been dabbling in OLED technology for years. Now, however, the company famous for showcasing the miracles of science has formed a strategic alliance with Dainippon Screen Manufacturing to "develop integrated manufacturing equipment for printed OLED displays." Furthermore, the duo has agreed to "bring together the elements needed -- materials, technology and equipment -- to mass produce OLED displays." In essence, the two are hoping to produce higher-quality units at a lower cost than what's currently available, and we can happily say we hope they succeed. Now, if only we knew when some product would emerge from this here wedding...

Genius Products, a home video firm responsible for distributing DVDs for companies such as Tartan Films, ESPN, Discovery Communications, ImaginAsian, Sesame Workshop, World Wrestling Entertainment and IFC Films, has just inked non-exclusive rights agreements with CinemaNow, Netflix and VUDU in order to distribute select digital content throughout the US. Unfortunately, the terms are mostly being kept under wraps, but we are told that the aforesaid trio will have "non-exclusive rights to digitally deliver and distribute certain non-Weinstein Genius Products' titles." Though it goes without saying, be sure to keep an eye out for more material to pop up if you use one of these three services.