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Posts with tag deal

Samsung to include free Foxtel iQ2 HD DVR with flat-panel purchase

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 6:21PM


Simmer down, North Americans / Europeans / Africans / etc. -- you should know this here deal is being reserved for those in Australia, so don't go ordering yourself a new Sammy without reading the fine print (or buying yourself a plane ticket). Reportedly, Samsung is looking to rival Sony's "Free PS3" promotion by tossing in a newly launched Foxtel iQ2 HD DVR for folks picking up a Samsung flat-panel HDTV and connecting to the HD+ service. Better still, Samsung will pick up the tab on the $200 connection fee as well. An official announcement of the partnership is expected within a fortnight, so if you've been looking to snag a new HDTV and make the dive into pay-HDTV, we'd hold off just a bit longer if you're even mildly fond of fantastic freebies.

[Via CNET]

LIN TV strikes retransmission agreement with Comcast

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 24th 2008 at 11:40PM

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]

Comcast and Big Ten Network finally reach agreement

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 4:39PM Breaking News


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.

AT&T demands payment on $500 million DISH note

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 18th 2008 at 1:23PM

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]

Wal-Mart throws in $100 gift card with Blu-ray player purchase

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 10:51PM Breaking News


Given that $100 at Wal-mart is essentially as good as cash, we can only imagine how titillating this offer may seem for Blu-ray holdouts. Announced today, the mega-retailer will be offering a $100 gift card with the purchase of any Blu-ray player from June 8th through 14th -- and yes, Sony's PlayStation 3 is included. In case this wasn't enough to maybe-possibly get the general public to actually pay attention to the format, Wally World will also sell "select" BD titles for $15 starting on the 8th. Since the format war ended earlier this year, we've seen report after report proclaiming that Blu-ray adoption just wasn't taking off here in America, but with a theoretical net price now close to $200 (albeit for a few days only), we can certainly see the masses taking notice at long last.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Amazon bundles up Blu-ray Discs

by Darren Murph, posted May 30th 2008 at 9:23AM


Hardly a day goes by without some form of Blu-ray price slashing on Amazon, but it being the onset of the weekend and all, we figured we'd share the e-tailer's latest scheme to get these discs a-movin'. Rather than offering up Blu-ray titles in some sort of BOGO fashion, the outfit is now packaging three flicks together primarily based on genre and hacking "45-percent" from the price. Truth be told, the $20-per-title that this averages out to isn't the most stellar of deals, but it's not too shabby if you're particularly fond of a certain trio. Check the read link to see if any catch your eye.

Best Buy's Insignia NS-BRDVD Blu-ray deck: now with $100 in movie coupons

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 2:29AM


For those maintaining that $349.99 for an Insignia Blu-ray player is still too pricey, how's about this deal? Best Buy is now offering a $100 Coupon Book right in the box of its newly released NS-BRDVD, and while there could very well be a score of $5 coupons in there, we do know that it'll provide "instant savings on a great collection of Blu-ray Disc movies from Disney, Touchstone and Miramax." It should be noted that the book is included regardless of whether the unit is purchased in-store or online, but the actual coupons within can only be redeemed in a brick-and-mortar location. Anyone actually cracked one of these open and care to share what's tucked inside?

[Via TG Daily]

Xbox 360 HD DVD drive hits $19.99 in Canada

by Darren Murph, posted May 25th 2008 at 10:56AM


Although the €9.99 Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on over in Ireland is likely still the cheapest way to snag one from a retail location, that flight to Dublin is apt to offset any potential savings. Nevertheless, those in Canada can come awfully close to said deal by visiting FutureShop, which is currently offering the once-molten hot unit for a mere $19.99. Unfortunately, it seems sold out online, but you can certainly phone up your local B&M location and hope for the best.

[Thanks, Andrew]

Sanyo now buying LCDs from Sharp, partnership could spread to kitchen appliances

by Darren Murph, posted May 24th 2008 at 1:27AM


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]

Xbox 360 HD DVD drives going for €9.99 in Ireland

by Darren Murph, posted May 6th 2008 at 4:04AM


And you thought $49.99 was cheap. Word on the street has it that Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, which has been seen as slightly less valuable since Toshiba pulled the plug on the once mighty red format, has stooped to €9.99 across the pond at GameStop (among other locales). For those not savvy on the absurd depreciation of the US dollar, we're talking $15.47 -- and that's with a Media Center remote bundled in, too. We're totally straight-faced when we say that's actually not a half bad deal if you're a fan of the media already out there, but the parsimonious among us are definitely waiting for these to come bundled with our favorite cereals before pulling the trigger.

[Thanks, Conor]

TiVo's Blue Moon special: TiVo HD, lifetime service for $698

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 25th 2008 at 3:13AM


Yeah, TiVo's Blue Moon special has been alive for a few weeks now, but for those unaware, we figured it prudent to pass along the deal in case you're interested in grabbing hold. From now until June 16th, interested consumers can snatch up a TiVo HD DVR, TiVo Wireless Adapter, a lifetime of service on the unit and an incredibly amazing TiVo plush doll for $698. Yes, that's less than the original price of the Series3 alone. So there you have it -- at least you've got ample time to think it over before deciding either way.

[Thanks, Jonas]

Amazon offers $50 credit for those who purchased a HD DVD player

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 9th 2008 at 11:55AM Breaking News

Following the crowd, Amazon has decided to fire off emails to folks who purchased a HD DVD player from it before February 23, 2008 in order to bestow upon them a $50 credit for their trouble. Granted, it's not as good as cash per se, but at least you get to keep your perfectly functional HD DVD player / DVD upconverter, right? Oh, and before you start having a panic attack after seeing that "must use before April 9th" phrase, you may want to inspect the year a little closer (hint: you've got a full year to use the voucher). Check the email in full after the jump.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Amazon offers $50 credit for those who purchased a HD DVD player

Season 3 of Friday Night Lights to air on DirecTV's The 101 first, NBC second

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 7:31PM


It's not atypical to see shows ink exclusive deals with carriers every now and then, but this one's pretty bizarre. Apparently the third season of Friday Night Lights has been green-lit for production, but in an effort to "spread production costs while rekindling a series," all 13 new episodes will air first on DirecTV. In other words, by the time all non-DTV subscribers see S3 in early 2009, customers of the aforesaid sat provider will have already experienced the baker's dozen. Filming is slated to resume sometime this summer, and DTV users will have access to the new season on October 1st on The 101; sometime after the Super Bowl (in 2009), it'll broadcast on NBC. Weird, huh?

[Via Chicago Tribune, image courtesy of PopTheology]

Amazon offers two free HD DVDs when you buy... a BD-UP5000?

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 20th 2008 at 2:19PM


Make no mistake, we're huge fans of sales. But Amazon's latest "deal" has us scratching our noggins and laughing heartily all at the same time. Touted as a "limited-time offer," the e-tailer is giving away two HD DVDs (read: free, gratis, on the house, etc.) -- all you have to do is buy two Blu-ray titles... and a $450 Samsung BD-UP5000 combo player. Truthfully, we can't figure out what Amazon's trying to pull here, or why it chose to market this special in this manner. Sure, we can see sparking up a sale in order to clear out HD DVD inventory, and we can even understand hacking the price of the soon-to-be-discontinued UP5000, but this? Check out the read link and have a chuckle, won't you?

[Thanks, John]

Best Buy hacking 30% off all HD DVDs

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 6th 2008 at 8:30AM


We knew retailers were washing their hands of HD DVD as quickly as possible, but it seems as if Best Buy is opting to initiate what we can only assume is the first wave of a fire sale by taking 30-percent off every HD DVD in its stores. At least, that's what we've confirmed for a number of locations. As of now, there's no word on whether the HD DVD players themselves will see equally steep price cuts, but feel free to drop by your local Best Buy at lunch and stock up if you so choose. 'Course, we've got a sneaking suspicions this 30-percent will grow to 50-percent and beyond in the not-too-distant future, but alas, the selection will probably be quite poor by that time.

[Thanks, Tim and Vince]
[Image courtesy of Aaron S.]




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