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CBS, Comcast On Demand Online partnership faces off premium vs. free internet streaming; 17 cable channels jump onboard

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 14th 2009 at 2:11PM


After stocking up on premium networks with HBO and Starz, Comcast's On Demand Online project has added its first broadcast TV partner, CBS. One of the worries regarding TV Everywhere / On Demand Online has been what it would mean for free streaming portals like Hulu, with broadcasters potentially shifting content behind pay-tv walls to keep people from dropping cable and satellite TV subscriptions. CBS has been the notable Hulu holdout, although it has also pushed forward with free streaming on its website, including March Madness and even upping the resolution of its Flash video to 1080p. Further conflicting the issue? 17 more cable networks (A&E, AMC, BBC America, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, History, IFC, MGM Impact, Sundance Channel, WE tv, E!, The Style Network, G4 and FEARnet) have also announced plans to join the 5,000 subscriber trial.

Just like the previous agreements, it appears customers should expect access during the trial to reflect a lot of what CBS and the others already offer through standard VOD but now with more placeshifting goodness. While media execs watch the bottom line, we're just hoping the stated CBS strategy of "open, non-exclusive distribution of our content in a consumer friendly way" (from the press release, available in full after the break) could push Hulu to add more HD, or at least unblock the PlayStation 3 & Windows Mobile.

Continue reading CBS, Comcast On Demand Online partnership faces off premium vs. free internet streaming; 17 cable channels jump onboard

History prepping WWII in HD series

by Richard Lawler posted May 17th 2009 at 4:22PM

Aside from its own plans for global domination, History recently laid out plans for several new series to expect and the one that caught our eye was WWII in HD. Set to debut in the fall the 10 episode series pulls from over 3,000 hours of color film recorded during the war, restored in high definition, plus contemporary HD footage and a 5.1 surround sound audio track formed from authentic and new sounds, including recordings from the Library of Congress. Described as following the experiences of a handful of men as their journeys cross-connect throughout the war, this should fit right in not only with history buffs, but also fans of Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan.

[Via TV Squad]

History HD rolls out in Japan

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2008 at 3:49PM

It's been awhile since History HD landed an international distribution deal, so it's quite refreshing to see the channel finding its way to yet another huge market: Japan. Beginning October 1st, History HD will begin broadcasting "HD content languaged in Japanese with a mix of local programming, plus series and specials from the History catalog, such as Cities of the Underworld, The Universe, Ancient Discoveries and Ice Road Truckers." There's no specific mention of what carriers will be hosting the station, but here's to hoping it's headed to yours, and soon.

History Channel debuts in Poland and Hungary

by Darren Murph posted Apr 13th 2008 at 3:18AM

Relatively speaking, there's been quite a lot of HD action on the international front of late, and we're pleased to see that History (as it's known these days) will be taking its content to Central Europe. The channel will be debuting in both SD and HD in Poland and Hungary, and while Toya and UPC Polska will offer the standard-def feed in the former nation, Aster City will be delivering both feeds; in Hungary, UPC Hungary will host the SD version while T-Kabel broadcasts both. Best of all, it sounds as if History may cross over into neighboring countries as well in the upcoming months, so keep a close on your EPG if your carrier hasn't jumped in just yet.

History's HD VOD channel heads to Korean IPTV service

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 8th 2008 at 4:11PM

History (it recently dropped such innocuous terms like The and Channel to describe a lineup of Ax Men and Crime 360) has linked up with Korea Telecom to distribute its network via video on demand. Parent A&E Television is completely committed to HD production for its shows, and plans to continue expanding the channel -- already on the air in the U.K., Scandinavia and Central Europe -- to Asia and Latin America over the next year. Expect more syndication-friendly content on the way, as A&E sees a big future for HD & VOD distribution.

Photo history of TVs: #28 is straight out of the Jetsons

by Matt Burns posted Apr 9th 2007 at 10:20AM


Ya ever think about how much your family's TV has seen over the years. Wired's TV history slide show might rustle up some pleasant memoirs of laying stomach down in front of the wood-encased TV on the carpet acting as your dads "clicker." (# 36 and pictured above) Or, maybe the older crowd will recall when the AT&T satellite was launched enabling transatlantic broadcasting. (# 30) We wish we could remember what looks like one of the first HTIB systems but something tells us it cost a pretty penny when it was released. (# 28) If your childhood was anything like ours though, some of these TVs were mainstays at every family affair and it's nice to look back sometimes.

DirecTV to carry 100 National HD Channels in 2007

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jan 9th 2007 at 6:15AM

We sure hope this means that the HD programming race is heating up and it's not just vapor ware. After all 2006 was a slow year for new HD channels. DirecTV has been boasting for some time about the number of HD channels they would have and today they have announced specific channels. The interesting part is that almost none only a few of the channels they announced today are currently offering HD programming. The channels announced today include.
  • A&E
  • National Geographic
  • Bravo
  • NFL Network
  • Cartoon Network
  • SciFi Channel
  • CNN
  • Speed
  • Food Network
  • TBS
  • FX
  • The History Channel
  • HGTV
  • The Weather Channel
  • MTV
  • USA Network
Currently DirecTV only carries 9 national HD channels and even with this list and as many premium channels we can think of there would still only be 30 HD channels. Throw in 20 or so for regional sports channels and is still only 50% of their claim. As much as we want to believe them, we have our reservations.




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