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]

It isn't the first, and it probably won't be the last market we see AT&T gift with U-verse without a formal announcement -- though if we were betting men, we'd say that proclamation is coming soon. Total Home DVR, which has been sweeping across the carrier's footprints in order to give networked TVs the ability to watch recorded SD / HD programs, has finally hit Kansas City, Missouri, and we get the sense that locals couldn't be happier. So yeah, pop the cork and enjoy the new features.

[Thanks, Paul]

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.

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.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

Right around a month after Charter saw fit to gift the greater St. Louis area with eight new HD channels comes word that little 'ole Osage Beach is next in line to get eleven of its own. Matter of fact, AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, CNN HD, TBS HD, The Movie Channel (TMC) HD, TLC HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, Science HD, Discovery HD, Versus / Golf HD and The Weather Channel HD should all be live in the area as we speak. The rather impressive list of additions brings the total in the region to 30. According to Steve Trippe, vice president and general manager for Charter Communications in Missouri, the carrier will "continue to increase its HD offerings," though no specifics beyond that were released.

As the nationwide commitment to HD news continues to blossom this week, Kansas City's own NBC affiliate (KSHB-TV) has too made the switch. As you'd expect, every single newscast from the station's studios will be aired in high-def, from the 5AM - 7AM Action News Today to the Action News at 10PM broadcast. Those interested in seeing what the talking heads have to say in glorious HD can tune via OTA (41.1), Time Warner Cable (1441), Everest (630), Sunflower (202), Comcast (232) or U-verse (1041). Any others around the country going to get in while the getting's good?

[Thanks, Sean]

Good news St. Louis, Charter's throwing eight more high definition channels on top of the three it added back in January, but unfortunately the press release completely neglected to mention which eight. Judging by a post from PWSHER at AVS Forum based on a mailer that came yesterday and confirmed by St. Louis Business Journal, we're pretty sure that AMC HD, CNN HD, TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, Science HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, The Movie Channel HD and TBS HD should be filling out your lineup sometime soon. Check after the break for the channel codes and let us know if you see anything new on your HDTV.


Read - Charter adds 8 HD channels to Metro St. Louis
Read - AVS Forum
Read - St. Louis Business Journal

Though Allegiance Communications may not be known very well nationally, we're sure mid-sized markets in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas are quite familiar with the name. Nevertheless, said cable carrier has reportedly just "completed the first phase of channel additions for 2008," and there's definitely some HD love mixed in. According to Oklahoma's Tecumseh Countywide News, local residents can now access A&E HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD, National Geographic HD and Starz HD on channels 972, 973, 975, 976 and 974, respectively. Better still, the outfit has also promised that ESPN2 HD will be joining the fold in the coming months, and just in case that still wasn't enough, subscribers can look forward to Chiller, Fox Business HD and RFD HD showing up in the not-too-distant future. Not bad for a rural carrier, huh?

Not even a year has passed since AT&T's own fiber-based television service wheeled into Kansas City, Missouri, but now it's delivering the U-verse goods to even more residents in the area. By expanding the service out to a new chunk of consumers, some 130,000 living units are now blanketed. As expected, users in the area can also look forward to the firm's U-bar, YellowPages.com TV and Yahoo! Games features. Ready to jump ship on your current provider? Phone up AT&T and see if your abode is covered this go 'round.