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Fox VP details soccer HD plans

Ever since FSN made it's 24/7 HD for 2009 proclamation futbol fans have wanted to know if that applies to them too, and the Goal soccer blog on the New York Times has the news on what to expect as the UEFA Champions League comes to Fox. Fox Sports International VP David Sternberg let it be known that Fox Soccer Channel isn't going to be high definition until the end of this year, so don't expect any FSC games in HD until February 2010. The good news? After the wait, we can expect broadcasts of proper HD feeds, rather than upconverted widescreen SD feeds seen sometimes on ESPN.They do plan 16 live games on FSN, plus the 2010 final on FX, while broadband viewers can expect streaming from Setanta, so if FSC isn't on your lineup yet, there can still be some HD of the Beautiful Game in your future.

FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh & Rocky Mountain networks switch to full time HD


The three regional sports networks joined under Liberty Media have switched to full time HD, promising more than 900 events per year. FSN Northwest, FSN Rocky Mountain and FSN Pittsburgh were part of the recently completed DirecTV swap and still have a syndication relationship with the also all-HD-in-'09 Fox Sports Network. Whether or not you understand the ownership of the various FSN nets, Mariners, Pirates, Jazz and other fans can be satisfied they'll be enjoying all their games in high definition, once the HD feeds are picked up by their local cable / satellite provider of course.

Bright House adds Fox Sports Florida

FSN FlroidaIn an announcement that has many sports fans in the Orlando and Tampa Bay area saying "about time," Bright House Networks and Fox Sports Florida has finally signed a carriage agreement. This isn't a moment too soon either as there are about 77 Orlando Magic games on the schedule each season. Although there is no mention of the HD channel in the release, we can only assume it's an oversight. Of course we're not sure how anyone could forget something as important as the HD channel number. Either way the SD version will be on channel 50 and will require a subscription to the digital tier.

Charter trying to nab TBS HD prior to MLB playoffs


While Verizon already secured TBS HD for its FiOS TV customers prior to the start of the MLB playoffs, Charter Communications subscribers may or may not be so fortunate. Particularly for Brewers fans in Wisconsin, the desire need to land this station in short order is crucial to their well being, and according to corporate spokeswoman Anita Lamont, the carrier is working hard to make it happen. Currently, the station isn't slated to go live until October 14th, but that's obviously far beyond the date baseball fans are hoping for. In somewhat related news, Charter Wisconsin is also scheduled to launch Animal Planet HD, Movie Channel HD and Smithsonian HD in mid-October, so even if the whole TBS thing doesn't happen on time, not all joy is lost.

[Image courtesy of DiamondHoggers]

FSN Wisconsin airing 25 Milwaukee Bucks games in HD

FSN Wisconsin has kept Brewers fans happy all summer long, and now that the NBA season is just around the bend, it's about time we heard from the channel on that front. When the Milwaukee Bucks hit the hardwood this year, FSN Wisconsin will be there to broadcast 25 of its matchups in glorious high-definition. The HD fun gets going on November 8th when the team takes on the Phoenix Suns, and you can check out the full schedule in the read link below. Now, if only the club could find some talent...

FSN: 24/7 high definition in 2009, more HD than any other sports provider

FSN's been all over HD in the last year, rolling out MLB broadcasts and even 3D NBA games, but according to President Randy Freer, HD telecasts will "skyrocket" in '09 as the network rolls over to 24/7 HD broadcasting. Wth the capability to produce all of its 3,000 MLB, NBA, NHL, college football and basketball games in HD would give it more than any other sports provider (read: CBS Sports & ESPN) in the U.S. All this HD will be made possible by the new Fox Network Houston, a 184,000 sq ft facility that it claims can handle more signal traffic than any other similar facility, with up to 40 live games in one day. HD rollouts will vary in each region based on distribution agreements, and team telecast rights, but if there was ever a time to avoid Big Ten Network-type squabbles, we'd say all this sports action in HD is one of them. We've come a long way from just 31 college games.

FSN Prime Ticket, KCAL to deliver 150 Dodgers games in HD


Looks like the Padres and Diamondbacks aren't the only MLB clubs out west with lots of HD comin' up, as the Joe Torre-led Los Angeles Dodgers will be seen quite clearly in nearly every single game this season, too. Apparently 100 of the team's games will be broadcast in HD on FSN Prime Ticket, while 50 more will be aired in high-definition on KCAL 9 (CBS). And just think -- we figured the Blue Jays were doing something special.

[Image courtesy of Frederic J. Brown / ESPN, thanks Pete]

Fox Sports, ESPN deliver all MLB games in HD


For those who tuned in to the start of the 2008 MLB season (on US soil, that is) last night, you can already see we're in for a good one. Better still, the matchups we are presented with will be doled out in HD more so than any year prior. According to a new report from The Sports Video Group, over 3,000 MLB games during this season will be aired in high-definition, including 100-percent of the tilts shown on ESPN and Fox Sports. Breaking it down by team, the Chicago White Sox will have the most games in HD with 155, while the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs follow suit with 153 and 151, respectively. So much for having to go to the ballpark to enjoy the freshly groomed grass, eh?

[Image courtesy of Pablo Martinez Monsivais / ESPN]

FSN Arizona to broadcast every Diamondbacks home game, select road games in HD


Thought the flow of HD baseball games had dried up? Not a chance, as the Arizona Diamondbacks have just announced that a record 86 games will be shown this season in high-definition to go along with its massive new scoreboard. Effective this year, FSN Arizona has become the "exclusive television home" of the club, and every single home game (72 for those keeping count) will be available in HD. Additionally, 14 road matchups will be aired in high-def, and each game shown in HD will also have HD versions of the pre- and post-game show. Click on through for the full release and a breakdown of which carriers in Arizona and New Mexico will be carry the tilts.

[Thanks, Bill]

Texas Rangers secure 86 HD games for 2008 season


With the start (on US soil, at least) of the 2008 MLB season right around the corner, the Texas Rangers are making darn sure their in-state rivals don't steal the HD limelight. Although a few less Rangers games will be produced in high-def compared to the Astros, there's still a healthy selection coming up. This season, a record-setting 86 tilts will be aired in HD, with 65 of those to show on FSN Southwest, 20 on KDFI (MyNetworkTV 27) and 1 on KDFW (FOX 4). Fortunately, fans in the area can get a glimpse of what they're in for when the season opener against the Seattle Mariners gets served up on FSN HD this coming Monday. For channel slots on various carriers as well as the entire 2008 HD schedule, you know where to head.

[Image courtesy of DeadCode, thanks Joe]

Houston Astros find all home games, select road tilts in HD


Another day, another realization that this year's baseball season will be covered with HD. On the docket today are the Houston Astros, which have announced that every last home game (and "select" road matchups) will be presented in high-definition and carried on FSN Houston or KTHX 20 (the local MyNetworkTV affiliate). All in all, 130 tilts (4 Spring Training telecasts notwithstanding) will be shown on FSN Houston, while My 20 "takes over as the new broadcast home for Astros baseball with a 31-game package." As for FSN HD, citizens of Houston can locate it on Comcast (302), DirecTV (639-1) and DISH Network (336), while KTHX HD is only available OTA and on DirecTV (20-1).

[Image courtesy of MLBlogs, thanks German]

Fans react to 3D Mavericks / Clippers matchup


Under normal circumstances, we tend to give 3D a hard time around here, but it's hard to deny the strides the technology has made of late in an attempt to move beyond being a gimmick and into a desirable product. It seems that hundreds of NBA fans that packed the Magnolia Theater just days ago were quite impressed with the first regular season matchup to be aired in 3D. Those in attendance were able to catch a commercial-free 3D broadcast of the Dallas Mavericks versus the LA Clippers courtesy of two Sony 4K projectors and a set of gaudy glasses. Unfortunately, we're not sure if the one-time event will blossom into something more, but feel free to tap the read link for more opinions and a couple more snapshots.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Brewers HD onslaught leads Charter to add FSN Wisconsin "this summer"


Behold, the power of high-definition. Just days after FSN Wisconsin announced that it would be airing 65 Milwaukee Brewers games in HD this season, Charter has acquiesced and decided that it would finally add the channel to its high-def lineup. Prior to this season, the carrier had held back on adding the HD feed of the network because -- according to Charter regional spokesman John Miller -- "over 95 percent of its programming [wasn't] in HD." Mr. Miller recently noted that Charter felt that there would be "significant interest in the Brewers this season, [along with] more HDTVs in the marketplace," which was apparently good enough to land the channel on the "to be launched this summer" list. Catering specifically to the HD crowd? Now that's what we like to hear.

[Image courtesy of RightFieldBleachers]

FSN Wisconsin serving up 65 Brewers games in HD


The good news for MLB fans just keeps on coming. Hot on the heels of a number of regional announcements to broadcast oodles of MLB matchups in high-definition this year comes a similar edict from FSN Wisconsin. The network is gearing up to broadcast 65 of the Milwaukee Brewers games in HD this season, which is up from 17 last year but still less than half of the club's total games. Fans in the area can catch the first Brewers HD telecast when it opens the season against the Chicago Cubs, but alas, Charter subscribers still won't be able to join in. As it stands, DirecTV, DISH Network, Time Warner Cable and Tri County Cable are all signed on to serve up FSN Wisconsin content in HD, but we can only hope that this pledge to put more high-def material on the channel will convince Charter of its worthiness. Check out the read link for the full HD schedule.

[Image courtesy of New York Times]

FSN Kansas City to carry 88 Royals games in HD


Although the Royals were already receiving the "world's largest" HD LED scoreboard in their home stadium, fans having to watch from the comfort of their own couches were yearning for more. Thankfully, FSN Kansas City -- the "new television home of the Royals" -- will be helping you folks out, as it's gearing up to broadcast 88 of the club's games this season in gorgeous high-definition. As you well know, 2008 marks the first year in which the Royals matchups will be aired in HD (regionally, at least), and FSN KC isn't wasting any time in delivering the goods. Starting on March 31st, Royals fans can catch the team's opener at Detroit in HD, and the home opener on April 8th (against the Yankees) will also be shown in high-def. Heck, even the pre- and post-game shows will be seen in HD on HD game nights. Check out the full HD schedule in the read link below.

[Image courtesy of VisitKC, thanks Jim]




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