Monopoly, I don't have a choice. 2 way cablecards not there yet, etc. etc.Not a monopoly. You simply have made personal choices that you use as explanation for why you cannot take advantage of the available choices between the various subscription television competitors out there.

this morning Comcast Boston has gone live with:
HGTVHD-832
A&EHD-837
FOODHD-854

Copying from a different thread.

Food HD, HGTV HD and A&E HD have just been added in the Boston area. Different towns are getting the channels turned on at different times. Some have all three live. Here in Watertown, MA Food is live but HGTV and A&E give the "available shortly" message.

No channels live yet in East Bridgewater, Ma.

all 3 are live on my tivo3,only food is live on my moto as we speak.

We've had blackouts on WFXT for WNAC HD, in Taunton, but WNAC is still not live- the 'channel' is there (811) but no data stream or guide info.

We're in fabulous Bristol County, MA! (Apparently Rhode Island East, part of the Providence market)

Food HD, HGTV HD and A&E HD have just been added in the Boston area. Different towns are getting the channels turned on at different times. Some have all three live. Here in Watertown, MA Food is live but HGTV and A&E give the "available shortly" message.

I have all 3 here in Manchester, NH. It was a nice surprise :)

FoodHD now live in East Bridgewater but still showing "coming shortly" signs on A&E and HGTV.

Comcast Fresno sent out mailers to subscribers this week stating that (among other channel/tier alterations) A&E HD and NGC HD will go live here 5/22/07.

Spokane area Comcast customers, any word on new HD channels?

Food and home shows in HD -- yawn. Who cares. How about some real good HD content -- like HDNet.

We don't all live in trailer parks and eat at McDonalds. :rolleyes:

Food and home shows in HD -- yawn. Who cares. How about some real good HD content -- like HDNet.
We don't all live in trailer parks and eat at McDonalds. :rolleyes:
Love it - touche! ;)

Chicago message:

July 18th - AEHD (208) and National Geographic HD (206)

Any talk anywhere about a SCIFI HD Channel?

Food and home shows in HD -- yawn. Who cares. How about some real good HD content -- like HDNet.

In flipping through the channels on E* last night, I stopped on the NASCAR race on HDNet....there was a large "Comcast" logo in the upper right corner. I guess Comcast can advertise on HDNet, but no offer it to their customers...

In flipping through the channels on E* last night, I stopped on the NASCAR race on HDNet....there was a large "Comcast" logo in the upper right corner. I guess Comcast can advertise on HDNet, but no offer it to their customers...

Comcast advertises during the Nascar race, HDNet is jsut replaying the feed from FOX

From AVS member TMilner:

Just received a letter from Comcast yesterday. As you may know, Comcast is taking over for TWC here in Houston. TWC has offered HDNet and HDNet movies as part of a HD Plus Package in the past.

Comcast will offer a new HD Plus Tier here in Houston starting June 19th for $3 per month, and will feature both HDNet and HDNet Movies.


Hmmmm....

From AVS member TMilner:




Hmmmm....

Ken, couldn't that just be a system that comcast took over that had an existing carriage agreement for HDNet and HDNet Movies?

Manassas VA has finally begun upgrading our 550 mhz cable systems, they put a tag on my door saying that they are adding "fiber optic" lines to exisitng cable lines to provide over 250 channels. they did all the work in one day in my neighborhood. does anyone know how much time is from the upgrade to me receving the new channels? I only have these HD channels

210 ABCHD
211 NBCHD
212 CBS HD
213 FOX HD
220 PBS HD
225 Discovery HD
228 HBO HD
238 SHowtime HD
247 HD On Demand
251 CSN HD
252 ESPN HD

Also whats the highest system cable has 1GHZ?

Ken, couldn't that just be a system that comcast took over that had an existing carriage agreement for HDNet and HDNet Movies?

Comcast took over from TW in Memphis this past year.
TW had both HDNets.
Recently Comcast dropped HDNet, so I droped Comcast.

From AVS member TMilner:




Hmmmm....

An HD tier on Comcast?:eek:

I hope this isn't limited to the Mavs' home state.

Chicago message:

July 18th - AEHD (208) and National Geographic HD (206)

JULY!!! :confused: :eek: :mad:

WTF?

JULY!!! :confused: :eek: :mad:

WTF?

Most of the complaints about new channels are that they show up without a proceeding fanfare. Now when they tell us in advance we're not happy either...

GoIrish

From AVS member TMilner:




Hmmmm....

We heard this too in MN (from a CSR). Comcast is still providing HDNet and HDNet Movies to the former TWC subs and Comcast was "soon" going to be offering the HDNets to the non-former-TWC subs.

Here's a grain of salt.

Comcast took over from TW in Memphis this past year.
TW had both HDNets.
Recently Comcast dropped HDNet, so I droped Comcast.

I don't think they "dropped" it. At least here in Minnesota the former TWC subs taken over by Comcast had to start paying extra for the HDNets a month or two ago ($5.99 a month I think).

Quote:
Just received a letter from Comcast yesterday. As you may know, Comcast is taking over for TWC here in Houston. TWC has offered HDNet and HDNet movies as part of a HD Plus Package in the past.

Comcast will offer a new HD Plus Tier here in Houston starting June 19th for $3 per month, and will feature both HDNet and HDNet Movies.


I don't think they "dropped" it. At least here in Minnesota the former TWC subs taken over by Comcast had to start paying extra for the HDNets a month or two ago ($5.99 a month I think).
$3 in one area and $6 in another; doesn't sound right. :confused:

$3 in one area and $6 in another; doesn't sound right. :confused:

I guess Comcast is passing along the "additional cost" of shipping the product from Dallas to Minnesota vs Dallas to Houston. :rolleyes:

Where this information come from? I live in Chicago and haven't received any message about A&E HD and National Geographic HD being added to Comcast lineup on July 18th which is two months from now.

We already have both, here.

It's official! I have spoken with the customer service rep from Comcast that A&E HD and National Geographic HD will be added for the Chicago area on 7-18-07. National Geographic HD will be on channel 206 and A&E HD on channel 208.

Added here, without any notice, last week.

For those Comcast folks who are getting new HD channels (mostly A&E and NCG), make sure to check for them in the late evening prior to launch day.

In the past (at least in the Fresno, CA market), new channels have lit up around 10:00-11:00pm the day prior to their announced debut. In this case, Comcast Fresno launches A&EHD and NCGHD tomorrow (5/22). Will be checking the HD tier later tonight.

My new channels usually show up during the day while I'm at work.

We already have both, here.


Do you mean the H channels? :)

I got A&EHD and NGCHD this week. We are usually in sync with Philly. Are we going to get FoodHD too?

I got A&EHD and NGCHD this week. We are usually in sync with Philly. Are we going to get FoodHD too?

We got them today (210 & 211) in South Jersey, even though Comcast less than a week ago told me they had no information about them. No FoodHD though.

I went to check for the new channels and alas nothing (outside of Philly). I did notice that INHD1 now shows as Mojo.

MAXMAN Are you on a 750Mhz system?

We got them today (210 & 211) in South Jersey, even though Comcast less than a week ago told me they had no information about them. No FoodHD though.
Sweet. Where in South Jersey? I'm in Lumberton (near Mt. Holly). Here's hoping I have a nice surprise when I get home from work.

MAXMAN Are you on a 750Mhz system?

Don't know - how do I tell?

Sweet. Where in South Jersey? I'm in Lumberton (near Mt. Holly). Here's hoping I have a nice surprise when I get home from work.

Springfield Township (the other side of Mt. Holly). Enjoy!

will. I believe South NJ is 750Mhz. Sweet, usually South NJ does QA for channel addition to the rest of the state ;)

Before we get it doesn't Comcast place an ad in the Star Ledger 30 days prior to launch?

Before we get it doesn't Comcast place an ad in the Star Ledger 30 days prior to launch?

That's for channel removals/channel numbering changes. For channel additions, 1 day suffices.

Sorry if this is the wrong thread for this, but I'm in the Houston area and also affected by the TWC -> Comcast changes. I recieved the letter that a few above have described (about the HDNets and ESPNHD). To all you current long time Comcast people, do they have specific equipment they use? I currently have the SA8300HD, and used to have a Motorola DC6412 when I lived in Lubbock. I must say, after using the two, I liked the software (Pioneer's Echo I believe) on the Motorola waaay better. I also preferred the remote, but as far as I know that's provider dependent. Just curious if with the new company change, if new equipment will be available.

Actually, no notice is necessary for channel additions -- only for removals.

To the best of my knowledge for Central NJ all additions of any channels has been preceeded by Comcast placing an add in the local paper.

bicker, in NJ the state BPU mandates that. ALL channels additions must be preceded by an ad at most 1 day prior to the addition takes place. For removals/channel moving, 30 days. Example: There was an ad last week stating that on June 20th, NFL net will only be available via Sports Entertaiment package.

NJ was always a bit strange. :)

Anyone have Food Network HD showing up I don't seem to see it. I'm in South Jersey. I got NGHD and A&E HD, but not Food.

Anyone have Food Network HD showing up I don't seem to see it. I'm in South Jersey. I got NGHD and A&E HD, but not Food.

Expect it in about 6 or 7 months, since they've started rolling it out elsewhere. They started adding NG-HD to systems last October and we just got it today. I think they started adding A&E-HD in December...

actually they annouced it yesterday that they were going to be adding these channels everywhere. We should have Food Network soon.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/05/21/comcast-to-add-food-hd-hgtv-hd-and-aande-hd/

actually they annouced it yesterday that they were going to be adding these channels everywhere. We should have Food Network soon.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/05/21/comcast-to-add-food-hd-hgtv-hd-and-aande-hd/

Doesn't give a time frame.

In Harford County, Maryland we just got a message that starting July 10 we'll get A&E HD and HGTVHD. No mention of Food HD.

Rich N.

From Multichannel News, By Linda Moss

Comcast Adding HD Services of A&E, HGTV, Food

Cable Operator Rolling Out Networks’ HD Feeds as Capacity Becomes Available

Comcast is adding A&E HD, Home & Garden Television HD and Food Network HD to its HD lineup, officials confirmed Tuesday.

That nation’s largest cable company is rolling the new HDTV services out across its footprint as capacity becomes available.

For example, Comcast already launched A&E HD, HGTV HD and Food HD in Boston. And A&E HD is now available on Comcast’s systems in Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Detroit, among others.

The Big Ten Network already has national contracts with DirecTV and AT&T. They are negotiating with Comcast and report that talks are progressing.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=2&c=646397

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=2&c=646397

Come on Comcast, lets make a deal and get some announcements as to when its gonna get added. Almost all big ten football in HD this year, sweet!

From Multichannel News, By Linda Moss

That article is incorrect. Comcast Philadelphia does NOT have A&EHD yet. However we lost/move 2 analogs off in June, and removed 1 a month or two ago, so we should have the room for at least a couple of the 4 new channels: NGC,A&E,Food,HGTV. Who knows when we get them though :rolleyes:

In Harford County, Maryland we just got a message that starting July 10 we'll get A&E HD and HGTVHD. No mention of Food HD.

Rich N.

I'lll add a confirmation for Baltimore County. Same message. I wonder when will get Food. Personally, rather have Food instead of A&E.

Can someone confirm to me what is Chicago's Comcast HD lineup and what it's getting in the
future? Help will be appreciated.

AnE,Food and HGTV are old news.

What is the scoop on HDNEt in the Houston area,and when will THIS be rolled out on a nationwide basis?

AnE,Food and HGTV are old news.

What is the scoop on HDNEt in the Houston area,and when will THIS be rolled out on a nationwide basis?

HDNET and Comcast's pissing match is old news, much older than A&E,Food,HGTV, and NGC.

HDNET and Comcast's pissing match is old news, much older than A&E,Food,HGTV, and NGC.

But in Houston they are offering HDNet as part of a special HD tier.

Can someone confirm to me what is Chicago's Comcast HD lineup and what it's getting in the
future? Help will be appreciated.
QUOTE

Where Comcast has taken over from another provider in an area that has offered HDNet previously, Comcast has continue to provide HDNet until the current contract runs out.

Where Comcast has taken over from another provider in an area that has offered HDNet previously, Comcast has continue to provide HDNet until the current contract runs out.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the first time they have actually set up a special HD Tier and moved HDNet there. Further, Mark Cuban has urged people to subscribe to that tier!

QUOTE
See the local topic for your area, found in the HDTV Locals Forum.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the first time they have actually set up a special HD Tier and moved HDNet there. Further, Mark Cuban has urged people to subscribe to that tier!
Correct, and it is $3 for those the two HDNet channels.

See this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10582460&&#post10582460

Chicago message update-

July 18th - AEHD (Ch 208), Food Net HD (181), HGTVHD (182) and National Geographic HD (206)

So much for keeping the standard channel lineup.
In Central VA, Ch 206 & 208 are already in use by local sub-channels, 181 is FitTV.
No word when A&E-HD, Food-HD, & HGTV-HD will be available here, NatGeo-HD is on ch 224.

There is no nationwide standard lineup.

Baltimore City:

200 WMPT DT SD
201 MPT Kids & Family SD
202 MPT Select SD
203 WMPT LEARNER SD
204 WMAR WeatherNet Digital SD
206 WBFF "Good TV" SD
208 WBAL Insta Weather Plus SD
210 WMAR HD High-Definition TV
211 WBAL HD High-Definition TV
212 WJZ HD High-Definition TV
213 WBFF HD High-Definition TV
214 WNUV HD High-Definition TV
220 MPT HD High-Definition TV
224 National Geographic-HD High-Definition TV
225 Discovery HD High-Definition TV
226 MOJO High-Definition TV
227 MHD High-Definition TV
228 HBO HD High-Definition TV
233 Cinemax HD High-Definition TV
238 Showtime HD High-Definition TV
248 Starz HD High-Definition TV
249 TNT - HD High-Definition TV
250 Universal HD High-Definition TV
251 Comcast SportsNet HD High-Definition TV
252 ESPN HD High-Definition TV
253 ESPN 2 HD High-Definition TV
254 Versus/Golf HD High-Definition TV

A&E HD will be on 223 AND HGTV HD will be on 229 effective 7/10.

True, but there are some standards they follow...

Richmond, VA

206 CBS 6 Xtra (SD)
207 The Tube (SD)
208 NBC 12 Weather Plus (SD)
209 MyTV Richmond (SD)
210 ABC HD (WRIC)
211 NBC HD (WWBT)
212 CBS HD (WTVR)
213 FOX HD (WRLH)
224 National Geographic HD
225 Discovery HD Theater
226 iNHD
228 HBO HD
229 MHD
233 Cinemax HD
238 Showtime HD
248 Starz! HD
249 TNT HD
250 Universal HD
251 Comcast SportsNet HD
252 ESPN HD
253 ESPN2 HD
254 Versus/Golf Channel HD

Which is why I said there is no nationwide standard lineup.

True, but there are some standards they follow...

Really?

Denver, CO

650 Showtime HD
651 HBO HD
652 KMGH (ABC) DT
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN HD
657 KTVD HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD Theater
664 inHD1/MOJO
667 TNT HD
668 ESPN HD
670 ESPN2 HD
671 MHD
672 Vs/Golf HD
673 Universal HD

yeah and in boston all our HDs are in the 800's. If they are a local channel, the channel is logically numbered too, for example, the local fox affiliate channel 25 is 825. the local nbc 7 is 807.

802 PBS HD channel
804 WBZ HD (CBS OnO)
805 WCVB HD (ABC)
807 WHDH HD (NBC)
809 WMUR HD (ABC)
821 National Geographic
825 WFXT (Fox OnO)
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
837 AnE HD
838 WSBK DT (little HD programming at present)
839 Discovery Home Theatre
846 Universal HD
848 Golf / Verses HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN2 HD
851 NESN HD
854 Food HD
856 WLVI (CW)
868 Cinemax
870 HBO
875 Starz
877 Showtime
881 Mojo /FSN HD

Many markets have the HD channels in the 200's. Several channels are common: 200 is usually an RSN
202 - ESPNHD
203 - ESPN2HD
204 - TNTHD
205 - DiscHD
206 - MOJO
208 - UHD
209 - MHD
231-240ish - Locals

Its starting to deviate with some people getting A&EHD, etc on 199, or 201 or something.

Still NO new HD channels in SE PA since MHD, and no news of any of the 4 new ones. Hopefully once we loose 2 analogs in a few days, they should have room(GSN and PhillyPark)

Many markets have the HD channels in the 200's. Several channels are common: 200 is usually an RSN
202 - ESPNHD
203 - ESPN2HD
204 - TNTHD
205 - DiscHD
206 - MOJO
208 - UHD
209 - MHD
231-240ish - Locals


This was the exact lineup we had in Tallahassee until June 1, when all HD channels moved to the 800's and National Geographic HD and A&E HD were added.

Fresno, CA market has the HD tier in the 900's


903 - KFSNHD (ABC)
904 - KSEEHD (NBC)
905 - KFREHD (CW)
906 - KMPHHD (FOX)
907 - KGPEHD (CBS)
908 - KVPTHD (PBS-national)
915 - NGCHD
918 - A&E HD
919 - MOJO
920 - FSNHD
921 - Versus/GolfHD
922 - Discovery HD Theatre
923 - ESPNHD
924 - ESPN2HD
925 - HDSE
926 - TNTHD
927 - UNIVERSAL HD
928 - MHD
930 - HBOHD
932 - MAXHD
934 - STARZHD
936 - SHOHD

not listing the recent "channel additions" of specific HD OnDemand programming.

When did this become the "I'll show you MY channel line-up if you show me YOURS" thread?

:confused: ;)

I just got an alert on my DVR box that the channel lineups are going to change in my area, Pembroke Pines, FL but no other details.

Here, the digital channels start in the 100's. Most of the extra pay channels (HBO, STARZ, SHO, etc) are in the 200's. HD channels are in the 700's. The Music channels were just moved to the 900's. This is a pain because I used to be able to scroll from the regular channes down to the HD channels. Now I have to wade through the 900's first.

Hopefully the shuffling will make for a better arrangement.

WTF... Comcast: 800 HDTV Channels? (http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast800061207.htm)

I would have limited basic only (including HD locals) in the 00s.

Family Tier would be 101-120

Digital starter would be 121-199

audio music would be in the 900s

Here extended digital tiers 200s,300s premium channels,400s PPV,500s current home for audio music,600s Sports packages,700s international and 800s HD.

WTF... Comcast: 800 HDTV Channels? (http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast800061207.htm)
SDV no doubt. We'll need a 2-way STB for every HD TV to access most of these channels.

Anyone else having a problem with TNTHD not showing Guide Data on a Tivo Series 3? All it shows is "To Be Announced"

20 cable channels set to debut when Comcast takes over

By MIKE McDANIEL

Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Twenty channels, including five high-definition channels, will join the cable lineup when Comcast officially takes over for Time Warner-Houston on Tuesday.

Mailers were expected to go out today to all current TW subscribers announcing the new lineup, which shows renamed tiers and new channel groupings but keeps pricing the same.

The high-definition channels being added are:

ESPN2 HD. High-def version of the sports and information channel.
MHD. Music High Definition, which Tony Speller, senior vice president for Comcast's Houston region describes as "a combination MTV, VH1 and Country Music Television."
Versus/Golf HD. Two sports networks sharing the same channel number. Versus offers hockey, rodeo and other sports.
Starz HD. Movie channel available to Starz subscribers only.
Cinemax HD. Movie channel available to Cinemax subscribers only.

Comcast's HD offerings — 21 channels total — will be complemented by more than 100 hours of HD content available on Comcast's "video on demand" service, Spelling said.

"We're updating our VOD platform from a system that had roughly 1,000 hours of content to one that has 6,000 hours of content and 9,000 different programs," he said.

That programming will roll out gradually and should be available to all in the greater Houston market by year's end.

Fourteen non-HD channels also join the lineup. They are:

The Africa Channel. All-English channel celebrating Africa.
ESPN Deportes. Spanish-language sports channel.
Flix. Films from the '60s, '70s and '80s.
Fox Reality. New and off-network reality series from around the world.
GolTV. Soccer channel available in two different packages, one in English, one in Spanish.
Gospel Music Channel. Gospel music 24/7.
ImaginAsian TV. Movies, animé, sports and music.
Indieplex. Commercial-free independent and art-house movies.
MTV Tr3s. Lifestyle and music channel aimed at Latinos.
Logo. Original series, films and documentaries focused on gays, lesbians and transgenders.
MoviePlex. An affiliate of the Encore movie channels, this one runs movies of a different theme (crime, Western, etc.) every day.
NFL Network. 24/7 football channel offering multiple games during the season.
PBS Kids Sprout. Aimed at preschoolers ages 2 to 5.
Retroplex. Commercial-free classic movies from the '50s, '60s and '70s.

Comcast will introduce a new tiering system that has several notable upgrades or improvements.

The new "Basic Service" tier includes all local channels (and their HD signals) as well as Chicago "superstation" WGN, Tube Music (affiliated with Channel 39), and Spanish-language channels LATV (affiliated with Channel 2) and V-me (affiliated with Channel 8). Price: $16.42.

An "Expanded Basic" tier adds 55 channels to the "Basic" tier, including eight HD channels. Price: $44.99.

"Digital Basic" is for customers who want the first two tiers plus access to video on demand, including MoviePlex. Price: $51.99.

Niche channels such as ESPN News, Current TV, Gospel Music Channel and Toon Disney are on the "Digital Classic" tier. Price: $55.99.

"Digital Preferred" adds Logo, Indieplex, Sundance, four Encore channels and more. Price: $56.99.

A sports pack, which includes the NFL Network, goes for an additional $4, while a 15-channel Spanish-language package can be added for $5 more. Premium movie packages and international channels are also available. HDNet pack, offering Mark Cuban's HDNet and HDNet Movies, can be had for another $3.

A package that includes everything except the international channels is available for $86.99, which matches the current price for a similar offering on Time Warner.

All prices do not include the cost of equipment such as a digital box or an HD tuner.

Comcast enters a TV market more competitive than ever before. AT&T, Dish and DirecTV promise HD packages, for example, as good or greater than what Comcast is promising.

AT&T offers West Coast feeds of several cable channels and boasts 27 HD channels. Dish, like Comcast, offers 21 HD channels, but with a significantly different channel list. DirecTV has been advertising 150 HD channels by year's end.

"We're bringing customers the HD content they're demanding, the most popular channels they are asking for," Spelling said. "In addition, we have HD VOD, with more than 100 hours of HD content available. So I would say we are extremely competitive in that space."

He emphasized the quality, quantity and diversity of the programming Comcast provides as reasons to stick with cable. As for cost, the company noted that savings can be accomplished by bundling cable with other services Comcast offers, including phone and Internet access.

"We've been in the business a long time," added Ray Purser, Comcast's vice president of government and public relations in Houston. "We're investing $200 million in the market to launch new products and services. We have a call center of 900 employees who understand the business. Our competitors are trying to catch up to us, but they have a long way to go."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4883763.html

It's official that Comcast's Chicago market will add Food Network HD & HGTV HD alongside A&E HD & National Geographic HD giving it the total of 24 HD channels since going "all digital" by eliminating the 38 analog channels in order to make more bandwith capacity when it comes to high-definition. No word on what HD channels will be added next, but I did talk to a Comcast representative that more will be added in the fall, possibly September. Could History Channel, Weather Channel, Science Channel, Animal Planet, USA Network, Cartoon Network & others are just around the corner?

So much for keeping the standard channel lineup.
Is there such a thing? It doesn't look that way from the channel listings others have already posted. Here in the Chicago area our HD channels start at 173 (ESPN) and end at 209 (MHD). The real kicker is we've got SD channels scattered in there, too - it's not one contiguous block of HD channels.

It's official that Comcast's Chicago market will add Food Network HD & HGTV HD alongside A&E HD & National Geographic HD giving it the total of 24 HD channels since going "all digital" by eliminating the 38 analog channels in order to make more bandwith capacity when it comes to high-definition.

And it is still official that Comcast Philadelphia still stinks and has no new HD channels. :confused:

And it is still official that Comcast Philadelphia still stinks and has no new HD channels. :confused:

I know that's right.

I am getting my first HDTV in September. I was hoping that Comcast could get the TRAVEL CHANNEL HD. Yesterday I was watching the travel channel (69 in Chicago) and pressed the info button, and it said "HD" before the program description. Can someone clear up this confusion that I now have, because I thought the Travel Channel was a SD channel?
And I also remembered that the NBATV channel sometimes shows NBA games in HD, so is that the case with the travel channel, in which sometimes it shows HD programs?

Comcast dedicates separate channels for their HD broadcasts. Currently they have not publicly indicated that they have an agreement to broadcast that channel yet in HD. But there is a rumor out there they they will announce that before September.

There is Rumor that hopefully someone blows up that POS HD Music Channel that Comcast still insists on playing the same repeats we had back in October 2006 - the most wasteful band of HD unless someone likes living Groundhog Day Syndrome and seeing the same scheduled crap endlessly - the management or Comcast must truly be retarded to pawn this thing as an HD Channel - it's a friggin LOOP that never ends! :mad:

OK so where is the HDNet pack?

There is Rumor that hopefully someone blows up that POS HD Music Channel that Comcast still insists on playing the same repeats we had back in October 2006 - the most wasteful band of HD unless someone likes living Groundhog Day Syndrome and seeing the same scheduled crap endlessly - the management or Comcast must truly be retarded to pawn this thing as an HD Channel - it's a friggin LOOP that never ends! :mad:

what, you haven't enjoyed Pearl Jam Storytellers for the 10,000th time? Veder's reflections seem to get better and better the more times i watch it ;)

There is Rumor that hopefully someone blows up that POS HD Music Channel that Comcast still insists on playing the same repeats we had back in October 2006 - the most wasteful band of HD unless someone likes living Groundhog Day Syndrome and seeing the same scheduled crap endlessly - the management or Comcast must truly be retarded to pawn this thing as an HD Channel - it's a friggin LOOP that never ends! :mad:


Inane comments like this really get me. You know cable operators don't control MHD content but you ascribe it to your cable operator. You're a senior member misleading people while also managing to insult the mentally challenged.

Perhaps rather than praying for the troops as you recommend we should pray for your glass to be half full once in a while...

GoIrish

Inane comments like this really get me. You know cable operators don't control MHD content but you ascribe it to your cable operator. You're a senior member misleading people while also managing to insult the mentally challenged.
It's perfectly valid to criticize Comcast for their choice to carry a channel that has little appeal or too little content, especially when we're talking about high bandwidth HD channels. Cable and satellite carriers often cite these reasons in their choices to not carry certain HD channels.

I am getting my first HDTV in September. I was hoping that Comcast could get the TRAVEL CHANNEL HD. Yesterday I was watching the travel channel (69 in Chicago) and pressed the info button, and it said "HD" before the program description. Can someone clear up this confusion that I now have, because I thought the Travel Channel was a SD channel?
And I also remembered that the NBATV channel sometimes shows NBA games in HD, so is that the case with the travel channel, in which sometimes it shows HD programs?
There isn't a separate HD Travel Channel. Discovery Theater HD does show some Travel Channel programs, like 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.

It's perfectly valid to criticize Comcast for their choice to carry a channel that has little appeal or too little content, especially when we're talking about high bandwidth HD channels. Cable and satellite carriers often cite these reasons in their choices to not carry certain HD channels.

I wouldn't say little appeal. i enjoy watching the concerts and specials on MHD and when I can't find anything else to watch i can pick up in the middle of just about anything there and enjoy it.

It's perfectly valid to criticize Comcast for their choice to carry a channel that has little appeal or too little content, especially when we're talking about high bandwidth HD channels. Cable and satellite carriers often cite these reasons in their choices to not carry certain HD channels.

I don't have a problem with criticizing any cable operator or distributor. But let's look at this in context; at the time that Comcast for example chose to start carrying MHD, there was uncertainty as to how credible a channel it would be. In fact, outside of Voom and HDNet, it was essentially the next HD channel that was developed and at least on this site the question was, how soon will x provider offer MHD.

So in this example, Comcast and other providers buys off on the MTV pitch about merging three music channels together and all that those media sources can offer its customers. Perhaps Comcast commits in part because it was one of the few new channels at the time and we're (customers) all on the "if it's HD we have to have it" bandwagon.

Now, a year later, MTV hasn't delivered as yet and Comcast is a r***** for carrying the channel according to some here. And, it's Comcast fault because x channel shows x content this many times.

I expect more from the members of this site than low class and uninformed comments as the ones I initially responded to. I also expect context to the discussion as well, especially when seasoned and informed members are involved.

But, that is simply my opinion and my expectation, yours certainly may not be the same and I respect that.

GoIrish

When will Comcast start rolling out the HDNet / HDNet Movie package?

For those of you who are starting to get channels like NGHD, Food HD, A&E HD and HGTV-HD, consider yourself lucky.

Here in Houston, Comcast officially takes over the Time-Warner system Tuesday (June 19th).

Here's what we had under Time-Warner:
CW-Local
PBS-National
FOX-Local
CBS-Local
NBC-Local
ABC-Local
TNT-HD
MOJO
Discovery HD Theater
Fox Sports Net (On occasion, not full time)
HDNet
HDNet Movies
ESPN-HD
Universal-HD
HBO-HD (Both East and West Coast Feeds)
Showtime-HD (Both East and West Coast Feeds)
So, we go Comcastic, here's the bone they throw us next Tuesday:

Lose HBO West Coast Feed (Removed in May)
Lose Showtime West Coast Feed (Removed in May)
ESPN2-HD
MHD
Versus/Golf HD
Starz HD
Cinemax HDI don't know about anyone else, I currently don't have interest in any of those channels (And I'm not getting the premium channel packages), with exception of maybe some programming on ESPN2.

The HDNet package goes online in our Comcast system Tuesday, with a $3/Month for the two channels. Previously, under Time-Warner, there was a $5/Month charge for HDNet/HDNet Movies, ESPN and Universal. ESPN and Universal will move to the "Expanded Basic" tier, joining the others already placed there.

The bad part is that we have to call Tuesday or later to retain the HDNet package, despite the fact that we're already subscribe to it. With all the other changes, I suspect it's going to be a difficult time getting through to customer service to re-subscribe.

I just hope that they quickly add more HD (since it seems like most other markets have these if not more), otherwise when I finish construction on my new house in December, it will have a Dish on the roof instead of a coax in the ground (Or maybe a Fiber if AT&T UVERSE is in the neighborhood by then).

It's perfectly valid to criticize Comcast for their choice to carry a channel that has little appeal or too little contentNot because you feel it has "too little content". I suspect they know better than you or I how much appeal each channel has, and how much appeal trumps how much content. Cable operators had better provide whatever channels the viewers want, regardless of how crappy we feel the content of the channels are.

Well the magical red dot finally gave us the news here in Chicago that we will pick up A&E-HD, Food Network-HD, HGTV-HD, & National Geographic-HD on July 18. That will give us 24 HD channels (incl. Locals & Premiums). Considering Comcast was a 1 new HD channel per year provider, and now having five this year alone(Universal-HD launched earlier this year) gives me hope that Comcast can give D* a run for it's money even afer the new channels launch in the fall. This could mean that the HD game is finally getting competitive, and we should revel in this as consumers.

We got three new HD channels last year and four so far (as of 7/10) this year. I think we'll get a lot more in the next six months.

Last year the analog version of MTV2 was dropped. Where Encore used to be on analog there is a message saying the channel is no longer available using your analog box, and to exchange it for a new (digital) one at no extra charge. Analog premiums have been gone for a while. The "Leased Access" channel must have been moved to digital channel 190 fairly recently. We're down to 73 analog channels.

For you Houston people, I would be shocked if you were losing Mojo as it is partially owned by Comcast. I would also imagine that you will continue to see some FSN HD broadcasts there.

We got three new HD channels this year and four so far (as of 7/10) this year. I think we'll get a lot more in the next six months.

Last year the analog version of MTV2 was dropped. Where Encore used to be on analog there is a message saying the channel is no longer available using your analog box, and to exchange it for a new (digital) one at no extra charge. Analog premiums have been gone for a while. The "Leased Access" channel must have been moved to digital channel 190 fairly recently. We're down to 73 analog channels.

Yeah, the analogs are shrinking here, too. Hallmark & CMT go digital on the same date we get the new HD channels.

HGTV HD, A&E HD and National Geographic HD all went live here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area yesterday (June 18th).

We have had those channels for awhile in Boston.

Let's see the HDNet pack. :)

We have had those channels for awhile in Boston.

Let's see the HDNet pack. :)

Why when someone else posting that their area got a new set of channels you feel the need to p*ss on their parade? Boston tends to get channels before the rest of the systems, we get it.

Yeah! We win! http://www.diettalk.com/forums/images/smilies/pcheerleader.gif

:)

Yeah, the analogs are shrinking here, too. Hallmark & CMT go digital on the same date we get the new HD channels.

I count 71 analogs here. What sucks even more is nearly 15 of those are awful independant stations, or "must carry" and req'd by law to be carried, such as the local high school's channel, a channel with nothing but powerpoint presentations highlighting when the next polka festival is(and other meaningless garbage), and the awful 70's looking text, "Comcast community TV"

Philadelphia market is falling behind fast, we have room for the 4 recent HD channels, why won't they add them!?!?! :mad:

Yeah! We win! http://www.diettalk.com/forums/images/smilies/pcheerleader.gif

:)

:D :D :D

The Comcast line up here in Spokane, WA sucks. I need more HD Channels!

102 KREM (CBS) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
103 KAYU (FOX) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
104 KXLY (ABC) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
106 KHQ (NBC) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
108 PBS in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
111 KSKN (CW) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
173 ESPN HD* High-Definition TV
174 ESPN 2 HD* High-Definition TV
532 Starz HD* High-Definition TV
549 HBO HD* High-Definition TV
563 Cinemax HD* High-Definition TV
574 Showtime HD* High-Definition TV
660 Universal Networks HD* High-Definition TV
661 MTV Networks HD* High-Definition TV
662 TNT HD* High-Definition TV
663 Discovery HD Theater* High-Definition TV
664 MOJO/Select FSN HD Events* High-Definition TV

Why when someone else posting that their area got a new set of channels you feel the need to p*ss on their parade? Boston tends to get channels before the rest of the systems, we get it.

cause Boston rules,and wer'e getting Tivo first,too! http://www.diettalk.com/forums/images/smilies/pcheerleader.gif

The Comcast line up here in Spokane, WA sucks. I need more HD Channels!

102 KREM (CBS) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
103 KAYU (FOX) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
104 KXLY (ABC) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
106 KHQ (NBC) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
108 PBS in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
111 KSKN (CW) in Hi-Def* High-Definition TV
173 ESPN HD* High-Definition TV
174 ESPN 2 HD* High-Definition TV
532 Starz HD* High-Definition TV
549 HBO HD* High-Definition TV
563 Cinemax HD* High-Definition TV
574 Showtime HD* High-Definition TV
660 Universal Networks HD* High-Definition TV
661 MTV Networks HD* High-Definition TV
662 TNT HD* High-Definition TV
663 Discovery HD Theater* High-Definition TV
664 MOJO/Select FSN HD Events* High-Definition TV
Everyone has a right to complain, but try this lineup on for size. We've had one channel addition in the last 4+ years, and it's only part-time, FSNBA.

Santa Rosa CA

702 KTVU-DT (FOX) 720p & DD 5.1
703 KNTV-DT (NBC) 1080i & DD 5.1
705 KPIX-DT (CBS) 1080i & DD 5.1
707 KGO-DT (ABC) 720p & DD 5.1
709 KQED-DT (PBS) (on air 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) 1080i & DD 5.1

720 FSNBA-HD Games only
722 Discovery HD Theater 1080i & DD 5.1
723 ESPN HD (encrypted in most areas) 720p & DD 5.1

730 HBO HD West (encrypted) 1080i & DD 5.1
732 Cinemax HD West (encrypted) 1080i & DD 5.1
734 Starz HD West (encrypted) 1080i & DD 5.1

Boy, that HDTV lineup really does suck, keenan.

I can't imagine why anybody would choose to live in Santa Rosa ;) :p

"Half the TVs that get purchased this year will be 50 inches or bigger, so while everyone's talking about the small screen, we're all actually building home theaters. Some of the changes we're making are to add capacity and realign that capacity so we can offer more high-def. We are a very video-centric company, so we think like television viewers. You need enough HD customers to get the programmers to spend the money to broadcast all the shows in HD. Once they broadcast all their shows in HD, we're going to carry them."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/4903896.html

Boy, that HDTV lineup really does suck, keenan.

I can't imagine why anybody would choose to live in Santa Rosa ;) :p
Well, there are things more important than TV(as I run for cover :D ), it's a beautiful place to live. I live near downtown, but a 15 min drive and I'm in the wine country, my house sits on Santa Rosa Creek, and I've had deer walk by the window right next to the computer I'm typing on right now. :)

The word is that we're on schedule to be upgraded to 1GHz, but it may not happen for another 12 months.

I recently spoke to a representative from Comcast that the Big Ten Network probably will not be added due to higher programming fees the network is charging the cable companies like Comcast, Cox, & Time-Warner. :(

I recently spoke to a representative from Comcast that the Big Ten Network probably will not be added due to higher programming fees the network is charging the cable companies like Comcast, Cox, & Time-Warner. :(

Saw some press saying Big 10 wanted more than a $1 for the channel and would only allow Comcast to carry it on the initial level of digital service or analog. This is the same deal ESPN wants for ESPNU and probably why we don't have that either.

Comcast says they will carry either or both if they can add it to the Sports tier and neither will approve it. For that price it should be on a tier and people can grab it if it's important to them. Big 10 has to allow it first and so far they won't.

GoIrsih

Speak up if you want to keep HD

From staff reports

The Daily News

Published June 20, 2007

Cable television consumers who want to keep a couple of high-definition channels under new provider Comcast will have to ask for them.

When the company officially took over Time-Warner Cable on Tuesday, it began offering ESPN High-Definition in its standard cable package at no extra cost.

Time-Warner consumers previously were paying $5 a month for a tier of service that included ESPN HD, HD Net and HD Net Movies.

But HD Net and HD Net Movies weren’t so popular, Comcast officials say.

Most cable consumers were paying the monthly fee for ESPN HD, said Ray Purser, Comcast’s vice president of government and public relations in Houston.

Still, consumers who want HD Net and HD Net Movies can request a new tier, or level of service, that would include the two channels for $3 a month, he said. “Rather than spread that cost among all customers, they’re available to customers who want to subscribe to that tier.”

Comcast added 20 channels to the Time-Warner package, including five high-definition ones. The company is regrouping channels and renaming tiers, but said it would keep pricing the same.

Purser said standard service under Time-Warner would be standard service under Comcast, but with additional channels.

Customers who want the additional channel packages will have to subscribe to the Digital Basic service starting at $51.99 per month.

After doing so, the new company’s movie packages will cost $10, its sports pack an additional $4, its Spanish-language package $5 and its HDTV pack $3.

These prices don’t include the cost of equipment such as a digital box or an HD tuner.

Those who pay for Time-Warner Internet services will receive a message explaining how to switch, including forwarding existing e-mails and changing e-mail addresses. Customers will have 60 days to follow the prompts or their first seven e-mail accounts will be automatically transferred, with others being deleted.

The full transition should be finished by September.

http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=e95fd93722bf2086

Saw some press saying Big 10 wanted more than a $1 for the channel and would only allow Comcast to carry it on the initial level of digital service or analog. This is the same deal ESPN wants for ESPNU and probably why we don't have that either.

Comcast says they will carry either or both if they can add it to the Sports tier and neither will approve it. For that price it should be on a tier and people can grab it if it's important to them. Big 10 has to allow it first and so far they won't.

GoIrsih

While I would watch the Big 10 Network, if ever a network belonged on a sports tier, this is it. I hope Comcast and the other cable companies hold their ground on this, or else every startup conference network (and there will be more) will want these same terms.


Best wishes to the family of Coach Hoeppner.

Speak up if you want to keep HD

From staff reports

The Daily News

Published June 20, 2007

Cable television consumers who want to keep a couple of high-definition channels under new provider Comcast will have to ask for them.

When the company officially took over Time-Warner Cable on Tuesday, it began offering ESPN High-Definition in its standard cable package at no extra cost.

Time-Warner consumers previously were paying $5 a month for a tier of service that included ESPN HD, HD Net and HD Net Movies.

But HD Net and HD Net Movies weren’t so popular, Comcast officials say.

Most cable consumers were paying the monthly fee for ESPN HD, said Ray Purser, Comcast’s vice president of government and public relations in Houston.

Still, consumers who want HD Net and HD Net Movies can request a new tier, or level of service, that would include the two channels for $3 a month, he said. “Rather than spread that cost among all customers, they’re available to customers who want to subscribe to that tier.”

Comcast added 20 channels to the Time-Warner package, including five high-definition ones. The company is regrouping channels and renaming tiers, but said it would keep pricing the same.

Purser said standard service under Time-Warner would be standard service under Comcast, but with additional channels.

Customers who want the additional channel packages will have to subscribe to the Digital Basic service starting at $51.99 per month.

After doing so, the new company’s movie packages will cost $10, its sports pack an additional $4, its Spanish-language package $5 and its HDTV pack $3.

These prices don’t include the cost of equipment such as a digital box or an HD tuner.

Those who pay for Time-Warner Internet services will receive a message explaining how to switch, including forwarding existing e-mails and changing e-mail addresses. Customers will have 60 days to follow the prompts or their first seven e-mail accounts will be automatically transferred, with others being deleted.

The full transition should be finished by September.

http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=e95fd93722bf2086


This letter makes me glad that I dumped Comcast. I went to the most Basic level of Direct TV just so I could get the Sox games, albeit in SD. With my Apple TV I'm close to Dumping Both altogether, I DL what I want to watch if available, other content comes from Podcast and my TV and movie Encodes, I'm never lacking for stuf to watch. I'm damn sick of Cables rising high prices.

So much for HDNet for $3.:(

Saw some press saying Big 10 wanted more than a $1 for the channel and would only allow Comcast to carry it on the initial level of digital service or analog. This is the same deal ESPN wants for ESPNU and probably why we don't have that either.

Comcast says they will carry either or both if they can add it to the Sports tier and neither will approve it. For that price it should be on a tier and people can grab it if it's important to them. Big 10 has to allow it first and so far they won't.

GoIrsih

Analog for the Big Ten network? You've got to be kidding. This is a channel focused on ONE conference in one area of sports: college. I think they might have to reconsider when no major cable provider picks up their network. Who said they will carry it so far, DirecTV? They would carry a channel that shows paint drying, just to say that they have another channel that cable doesn't. Moreso if it's in HD.

Saw some press saying Big 10 wanted more than a $1 for the channel and would only allow Comcast to carry it on the initial level of digital service or analog. This is the same deal ESPN wants for ESPNU and probably why we don't have that either.

Comcast says they will carry either or both if they can add it to the Sports tier and neither will approve it. For that price it should be on a tier and people can grab it if it's important to them. Big 10 has to allow it first and so far they won't.

GoIrsih

Actually, they are asking for $1.10 per subscriber in each of the 8 states that have Big 10 teams, and are willing to allow Comcast to pay $0.10 per subscriber in other states. Still - I'd love to see this channel, but it's hard to be optimistic looking at numbers like that.

Actually, they are asking for $1.10 per subscriber in each of the 8 states that have Big 10 teams, and are willing to allow Comcast to pay $0.10 per subscriber in other states. Still - I'd love to see this channel, but it's hard to be optimistic looking at numbers like that.

Hey....go Illini! :D

I'd be happy to pay for the BTN, either as part of the sports tier or as a PPV option. Comcast out here doesn't even offer Game Plan or Full Court, so I'm not very optimistic. I think having it in the sports tier is the only chance I have. :(

While I would watch the Big 10 Network, if ever a network belonged on a sports tier, this is it. I hope Comcast and the other cable companies hold their ground on this, or else every startup conference network (and there will be more) will want these same terms.


Best wishes to the family of Coach Hoeppner.

Actually, the ACC is on record as saying if Big 10 is successful they will look to do the same.

As a passionate college football fan just tell me how much and I would take Big 10 as part of a sports tier. At the same time I think that's exactly where this kind of content should be, on a Sports Tier.

I hope the Big 10 and ESPN for that matter change their positions on allowing tier carriage so Comcast carries them.

GoIrish

So much for HDNet for $3.:(

I read this that they are continuing carriage of HD Net and Movies but that they will be the incremental $3. Not that they are going away.

Suspicions were that the ultimate response from the Houston market might give Comcast a sense of the popularity of those channels and that may cause a change in Comcast's long term thinking. Something we may not know this week or next, but perhaps sooner than later.

GoIrish

It is pretty clear to me that they are still available, just that it is a newly configured service.

"Still, consumers who want HD Net and HD Net Movies can request a new tier, or level of service, that would include the two channels for $3 a month, he said."

cause Boston rules,and wer'e getting Tivo first,too! http://www.diettalk.com/forums/images/smilies/pcheerleader.gif


The way it works is like this: Boston & Philly will always get new channels because they are considered a Comcast Classic area, meaning that Comcast owned those ares from the get go, and didn't buy out other companies to get in those markets, so bandwith will be avalable first in those markets. Here in Chicago, Comcast has spent 4 years upgrading the systems & cleaning up what AT&T messed up around the area. So congrats that you got it first, but I'm not the least bit surprised.


P.S. Red Sox suck, Schilling's out, :D :D :D :D

Well we had Food Network HD first, yet we weren't Comcast until recently. We were AT&T and MediaOne before that.

Well we had Food Network HD first, yet we weren't Comcast until recently. We were AT&T and MediaOne before that.

Was easier because you were close to their central hub, and when it was purchased, you assumed what the market already had.

The way it works is like this: Boston & Philly will always get new channels because they are considered a Comcast Classic area, meaning that Comcast owned those ares from the get go, and didn't buy out other companies to get in those markets, so bandwith will be avalable first in those markets. Here in Chicago, Comcast has spent 4 years upgrading the systems & cleaning up what AT&T messed up around the area. So congrats that you got it first, but I'm not the least bit surprised.


P.S. Red Sox suck, Schilling's out, :D :D :D :D

Can someone explain what is involved in getting bandwidth, I know they strung fiber all over our town for what may have been a year, haven't seen any work like that in a couple of years. What else would/is required to get bandwidth? I'm really just interested in what all is required to have the bandwidth available for these additional stations. Links to other conversations or websites would be fine, I've just never really understood what all is involved in cable distribution systems, etc...

Actually, the ACC is on record as saying if Big 10 is successful they will look to do the same.


With the Big 10 and ACC, I would be set.

Actually, as a diehard college football fan, I wouldn't mind having all of the major conferences with their own network on the sports tier, and would pay more to get them.

I don't even know exactly what the sports tier costs separately now since it's included in my Premier package, or whatever they call it now.

Can someone explain what is involved in getting bandwidth, I know they strung fiber all over our town for what may have been a year, haven't seen any work like that in a couple of years. What else would/is required to get bandwidth? I'm really just interested in what all is required to have the bandwidth available for these additional stations. Links to other conversations or websites would be fine, I've just never really understood what all is involved in cable distribution systems, etc...

Comcast is eliminating analog channels (each one they move to digital frees up bandwidth for two HD channels), deploying switched video (search for it or search for SDV), and uprading their networks to 1 Ghz.

The way it works is like this: Boston & Philly will always get new channels because they are considered a Comcast Classic area, meaning that Comcast owned those ares from the get go, and didn't buy out other companies to get in those markets, so bandwith will be avalable first in those markets. Here in Chicago, Comcast has spent 4 years upgrading the systems & cleaning up what AT&T messed up around the area. So congrats that you got it first, but I'm not the least bit surprised.


P.S. Red Sox suck, Schilling's out, :D :D :D :D

You couldn't be more wrong with Philadelphia. As recently as last year there were still pockets of neighborhoods that were leftover from Adelphia and Time Warner. Also many areas in center city have had basic cable encrypted for years, meaning there is a lot of old outdated analong equipment that lower-income subscribers still use. We have not been a test market for anything major in the last few years I don't think.

We are still waiting for the 4 new HD channels that everyone else is getting, not just Boston anymore. Comcast runs this city, and because of that they were able to bend the FCC's rules when they had a hearing earlier this year/last year about the terrestrial "loophole". Every other market, including Washington DC was forced to now distribute Comcast SportsNet via satellite. But Philly got an "exemption", gee I wonder why? A new skyscraper going up called the "Comcast Center", and Comcast owns the Flyers, Sixers, and the 2 arenas that they and the Phantoms(AHL hockey) play in, now controls the ticketing for them with their little Comcasttix operation.

The presence of Comcast in Philadelphia is large and has a lot of political influence, but that doesn't translate to quick additions of new channels. Not at all. The last new HD channel we got was MHD, and that is a waste. GLF/VS doesn't count, Comcast owns that, and MOJO was a rename/remake of INHD.

You couldn't be more wrong with Philadelphia. As recently as last year there were still pockets of neighborhoods that were leftover from Adelphia and Time Warner.

Yep, and many burbs around Philadelphia had Suburban Cable years ago before Comcast gobbled them up too.

The way it works is like this: Boston & Philly will always get new channels because they are considered a Comcast Classic area, meaning that Comcast owned those ares from the get go, and didn't buy out other companies to get in those markets, so bandwith will be avalable first in those markets. Here in Chicago, Comcast has spent 4 years upgrading the systems & cleaning up what AT&T messed up around the area. So congrats that you got it first, but I'm not the least bit surprised.

You're wrong about Boston as well, they bought out AT&T/MediaOne years ago.

The way it works is like this: Boston & Philly will always get new channels because they are considered a Comcast Classic area, meaning that Comcast owned those ares from the get go, and didn't buy out other companies to get in those markets, so bandwith will be avalable first in those markets. Here in Chicago, Comcast has spent 4 years upgrading the systems & cleaning up what AT&T messed up around the area. So congrats that you got it first, but I'm not the least bit surprised.


P.S. Red Sox suck, Schilling's out, :D :D :D :D

Curt is just one person. The Red sox are a TEAM! He will be back!

And we're STILL getting Tivo first. http://www.diettalk.com/forums/images/smilies/pcheerleader.gif

You're wrong about Boston as well, they bought out AT&T/MediaOne years ago.

Not totally, they had areas in MA before then, now they've built Boston up over those <b>years</b> to be one of their premium markets. Am I at least correct in saying they, as well as Baltimore was one of the first major mkts outside of Philly that got DVR, HD, & Internet?

You couldn't be more wrong with Philadelphia. As recently as last year there were still pockets of neighborhoods that were leftover from Adelphia and Time Warner. Also many areas in center city have had basic cable encrypted for years, meaning there is a lot of old outdated analong equipment that lower-income subscribers still use. We have not been a test market for anything major in the last few years I don't think.

We are still waiting for the 4 new HD channels that everyone else is getting, not just Boston anymore. Comcast runs this city, and because of that they were able to bend the FCC's rules when they had a hearing earlier this year/last year about the terrestrial "loophole". Every other market, including Washington DC was forced to now distribute Comcast SportsNet via satellite. But Philly got an "exemption", gee I wonder why? A new skyscraper going up called the "Comcast Center", and Comcast owns the Flyers, Sixers, and the 2 arenas that they and the Phantoms(AHL hockey) play in, now controls the ticketing for them with their little Comcasttix operation.

The presence of Comcast in Philadelphia is large and has a lot of political influence, but that doesn't translate to quick additions of new channels. Not at all. The last new HD channel we got was MHD, and that is a waste. GLF/VS doesn't count, Comcast owns that, and MOJO was a rename/remake of INHD.

You are misinformed regarding the terrestrial exemption for CSN Philadelphia. This has nothing to do with local franchises in Philly or politics in the City. It's an FCC rule based on actions by congress to encourage the development of new networks by all entities. The FCC has reviewed CSN Philly distribution and agreed that they are doing is exactly consistent with the regulations in place at the time the channel was developed.

The exemption is based on Comcast distributing CSN by way of a terrestrial (non satellite) system that was physically in place before DirecTV or Echostar even existed.

GoIrish

Comcast is eliminating analog channels (each one they move to digital frees up bandwidth for two HD channels), deploying switched video (search for it or search for SDV), and uprading their networks to 1 Ghz.


Here in Chicago, Comcast have eliminated 38 analog channels and switched them to digital to make room for up to 120 HD channels, plus they are removing 3 non-HD channels from their lineup-Ovation, BET Jazz, and the Black Family Channel.

The latest in Comcast vs. the Big Ten Network:

---------------------

June 21, 2007

DELANY CALLS ON COMCAST TO APOLOGIZE

Statement by Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany Regarding the Characterization of Big Ten Contests as 'Second and Third Tier'

"Comcast recently has characterized events that will be on the Big Ten Network as 'second and third tier.' I believe Comcast owes every Big Ten university an apology. The comments are an insult to Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin: To the universities, their students, their fans and alumni and their communities. There are no second-rate contests in the Big Ten."

The latest in Comcast vs. the Big Ten Network:

---------------------

June 21, 2007

DELANY CALLS ON COMCAST TO APOLOGIZE

Statement by Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany Regarding the Characterization of Big Ten Contests as 'Second and Third Tier'

"Comcast recently has characterized events that will be on the Big Ten Network as 'second and third tier.' I believe Comcast owes every Big Ten university an apology. The comments are an insult to Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin: To the universities, their students, their fans and alumni and their communities. There are no second-rate contests in the Big Ten."

Please..... as an IU alum I recognize that many of the games that my school play are second or third tier interest games which is why most are not seen through current, traditional channels (ESPN, ABC, et al). No apology necessary or appropriate.

If Big 10 wants their channel seen by all the people they say want it, allow the tier carriage Comcast has already offered and let the consumers decide how important it is to them. I'll buy it and want it.

GoIrish

HDNET and Comcast's pissing match is old news, much older than A&E,Food,HGTV, and NGC.

Comcast already *has* a deal with Scripps Cable Networks to carry their HD channels (and they in fact carry AEHD *now* where the capacity exists; I watch AEHD myself in Prince George's County, MD, and in the clear no less via 256 QAM) NGC is also available now (SD, but in the clear) here (TNT and TNT-HD are both available here, and in the clear; I watched "The Last Castle" on TNT-HD back-to-back last night), so it could very well be a local-system capacity issue. (Neither FOOD-HD or HGTV-HD have been added to the HD lineup here, and Comcast has VZ FIOS TV quite literally in their face here, while NGC-HD is encrypted, but available.) What is surprising is that AEHD is *not* advertised in their online channel lineup (or the TVplanner) yet I watch it in the clear (128.1), UniversalHD (250, encrypted) is likewise not in the lineup (but is in the TVplanner), and NGCHD is in both the lineup and the planner (224, encrypted) as is TNT-HD (249/127.5 clear-QAM). There are two relatively large *channel gaps* (one of three channels, and one of ten channels) remaining in the *HD Block* (channels 200-253), so it could very well still be a capacity issue (we are a 750 MHz system here, as are most of the systems that were originally acquired from Jones Intercable).

Many markets have the HD channels in the 200's. Several channels are common: 200 is usually an RSN
202 - ESPNHD
203 - ESPN2HD
204 - TNTHD
205 - DiscHD
206 - MOJO
208 - UHD
209 - MHD
231-240ish - Locals

Its starting to deviate with some people getting A&EHD, etc on 199, or 201 or something.

Still NO new HD channels in SE PA since MHD, and no news of any of the 4 new ones. Hopefully once we loose 2 analogs in a few days, they should have room(GSN and PhillyPark)

Usually, the typical HD Block is a grouping of fifty-plus channels (major groups typically start with *00; the Digital Tier starts at 100, for example) and can be as large as ninety-nine (the Premium Block here in Prince George's County, MD is from 300-399). One thing Comcast is doing is moving tiered channels out of the basic groups (for example, the sports-tier channels won't be remaining in the 100-199 block; that will be primarily reserved for the new Limited Basic/Digital Starter tier). I can only hope that Comcast *also* moves those accursed duplicates of the channels in the Premium Block (228, 233, 238, 248) *out* of the HD Block! (They are duplicates of 300, 319, 339, and 369, respectively.) If you're gonna get rid of the *Wet Coast* feeds (time-shifted duplicates of the East Coast feeds), then don't dupe the East Coast feeds, either.

Please..... as an IU alum I recognize that many of the games that my school play are second or third tier interest games which is why most are not seen through current, traditional channels (ESPN, ABC, et al). No apology necessary or appropriate. Absolutely. The claim is ridiculous.

...I can only hope that Comcast *also* moves those accursed duplicates of the channels in the Premium Block (228, 233, 238, 248) *out* of the HD Block! (They are duplicates of 300, 319, 339, and 369, respectively.) If you're gonna get rid of the *Wet Coast* feeds (time-shifted duplicates of the East Coast feeds), then don't dupe the East Coast feeds, either.

I'd rather they move the HD Premiums out of the Premium Block (300-399) and keep them in the HD Block. -Although they are not taking up additional bandwidth. It is the same channel (QAM tuner), but shows up in two places on the STB channel.

You are misinformed regarding the terrestrial exemption for CSN Philadelphia. This has nothing to do with local franchises in Philly or politics in the City. It's an FCC rule based on actions by congress to encourage the development of new networks by all entities. The FCC has reviewed CSN Philly distribution and agreed that they are doing is exactly consistent with the regulations in place at the time the channel was developed.

The exemption is based on Comcast distributing CSN by way of a terrestrial (non satellite) system that was physically in place before DirecTV or Echostar even existed.

GoIrish

You don't believe that there was no political influence at all from politicians in Philly whose best interest is to get what comcast wants? Yea right...

This pissing match between the Big Ten Network and Comcast is such a joke.

This should be on a sports tier, just like MLB (when launched), NFL Network, NBAtv, Fox Soccer Channel, etc.

Hell, I'd love to see all Cable TV become ala carte so I can pick the channels I want and drop those that I don't, but that will never happen.

With the Big Ten asking $1.10/sub in the 8 states the University's exist, a deal will never get done. They need to either drop the price by about half is they want it on a digital tier or leave it fully priced on the Sports Tier and let the consumer decide if they want to spend that $1.10.

Personally, as long as the HD channel is offered, I'll pay the $1.10, but I think Comcast already rapes me enough for my $150 a month and should just give me the damn channel for free.

http://www.startribune.com/503/story/1261368.html

No one is budging as another network, cable systems squabble

The Big Ten Network isn't making much headway with cable operators, who want only subscribers interested in its programming to pay extra for it.

Judd Zulgad

Last update: June 22, 2007 – 1:09 AM

The Big Ten Network announced this week that it will air the first two games of Tim Brewster's tenure as Gophers football coach.
The question now becomes: How many viewers in Minnesota actually will be able to see those games? That's right, sports enthusiasts -- coming on the heels of the Twins-owned Victory Sports One battle with cable operators and the NFL Network's attempt to get mass distribution, the Big Ten Network is the latest to brace itself for a face- off with the cable world.

This has become an old and tired story, and once again it will be viewers who get stuck in the middle. The good news is the network, which will show a variety of Big Ten sporting events, won't launch until August and the Gophers don't play their first game until Sept. 1. That means there is still time; there also is another option. DirecTV already has an agreement to carry the Big Ten Network, in which Fox Cable Networks holds a 49 percent stake and is serving as the distribution partner.

The bad news is that negotiations already seem to have become contentious between the conference and Comcast, which is in 550,000 households in Minnesota and is the dominant operator in the Twin Cities. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany confirmed as much during a conference call Thursday that came one year after he announced plans to start the channel. Delany was especially upset by a sheet Comcast has circulated that called the network a "niche channel." The release also said, "Fans of teams in other cities don't want to pay to watch the University of Iowa's volleyball games."I think denigrating teams, universities and volleyball teams, calling people second-rate or second-tier, is not the way to move forward in discussions," Delany said.

As is usually the case in these situations, sticking points involve where the network should be placed and how much money per subscriber the cable company would be willing to pay. Both sides have their own spin.

The Big Ten wants to be on the expanded basic level in its local markets; Comcast wants to package it on a sports tier everywhere, meaning those willing to pay can subscribe to it. Otherwise, the threat is Comcast will be forced to raise rates across the board. Big Ten officials say Comcast executives are talking out of both sides of their mouth, considering it pushes to get the sports networks it owns (Versus, Golf Channel, various regional sports networks) on expanded basic.

"It causes an in-the-know person to chuckle when they read something like, '[Comcast] only wants to make people pay for the network who are going to watch it,' when they built all these regional sports networks that they put on basic," said Mark Silverman, president of the Big Ten Network. "All of a sudden they become consumer advocates. I just think it's very disingenuous and duplicitous."

Comcast officials say the conference is looking for what they consider a too-high figure of about $1.10 per subscriber in the eight Big Ten regions. Network execs counter that outside the Big Ten territories, they are looking for less than 10 cents per subscriber, meaning the national rate would be under 30 cents.

"We want to bring the Big Ten Network to our customers in the best and fairest way, which would be to offer it on our digital sports tier," Comcast spokeswoman Mary Beth Schubert said. "That way Big Ten fans would be able to subscribe to it, while the majority of our customers would not be burdened with a $12 [per year] Big Ten Network tax."

Among the reasons the Big Ten Network will resist going on a sports tier is because of lost subscriber fees, and fewer subscribers means fewer eyeballs would see advertisements. The NFL Network already fought this battle with Comcast and, for now, has lost. A Manhattan Supreme Court justice last month ruled Comcast could place the NFL Network on a premium sports tier. The decision has been appealed.

Comcast, of course, isn't the only cable system on which the Big Ten Network needs to be carried. Charter, which is the second-biggest cable provider in the state with just under 300,000 homes, and Mediacom (200,000 homes) also are without deals. "We have yet to sit down and have meaningful discussions about an agreement that would allow us to carry the network," said Tucker Carlson, the director of government relations for Charter Communications. Bill Jensen, the regional vice president for Mediacom, said negotiations recently began between the two sides.

So far the Big Ten Network's only deal in Minnesota is with Winona-based Hiawatha Broadband, which has 10,000 customers. Agreements with several other small companies are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Silverman knows the clock is ticking, but also realizes that if deals are going to be reached, it won't be until late.

How late becomes the key question, especially when Tubby Smith's Gophers men's basketball team could have several games on the channel and the football team's Nov. 3 game against Illinois also will be aired on the network.

"Fans aren't missing seeing the network, not missing football games yet," Silverman said. "Until we get closer to that launch date, I think there will be only so much driving what's going to get these cable operators to the table. ... Once we get closer to the launch, they are going to get more serious about trying to get the games on because they won't want fans calling them wondering why they are not carrying the Big Ten Network."

You don't believe that there was no political influence at all from politicians in Philly whose best interest is to get what comcast wants? Yea right...


Not believe, know it for a fact !

I just used the Big Ten Networks contact us section to vioce my opinion about the price they are asking per subscriber and general feelings on how these negotiations go.

Just drives me nuts

Everybody is just to f'n greedy. Why not agree on a reasonable price and then pass the savings along to the consumer.

But that wouldn't be the American way, just gouge away and hope that people will pay the prices.

GRRRR!!!!

I just used the Big Ten Networks contact us section to vioce my opinion about the price they are asking per subscriber and general feelings on how these negotiations go.

Just drives me nuts

Everybody is just to f'n greedy. Why not agree on a reasonable price and then pass the savings along to the consumer.

But that wouldn't be the American way, just gouge away and hope that people will pay the prices.

GRRRR!!!!

It's not greed.

It's what the market will bear...Comcast has it right. If their subscribers want it, they will pay for it no matter where it is, so why burden those subscribers that don't want it, period? Too subsidize others that want it? Tired of that....

If not, then either the service is not worth it or the price is too high (Simplistically, I think that means the same thing)...What's in the middle is advance posturing by both parties...to find a way to "agree on a reasonable price and then pass the savings along to the consumer."...or not?


IMOO

Definitely. I surely don't want to pay even a penny extra for it. I already pay enough extra for sports programming, which I have no interest in. There is enough sports already included in the basic service, in my opinion, and the resources should be spread around a bit more, rather than so much focused at one, broad but still not ubiquitous interest.

I agree with Bicker1, I don't want to pay for any more sports !!! I could care less about the big 10 or any other college sports.

-ken

Why would you even respond if you're from MA? BTN is basically being sold like an RSN. It really doesn't affect your area whatsoever. Now, if they start the Patriot League Channel.... :p

That's exactly the point. What applies to one deal affects the subsequent deals that they'll make.

Why would you even respond if you're from MA? BTN is basically being sold like an RSN. It really doesn't affect your area whatsoever. Now, if they start the Patriot League Channel.... :p

The BTN wants to be National, Like ESPN, Versus, The Golf Channel. They want $1.10/sub in the 8 state big ten area and $0.10/sub in the rest of the country. the BTn's theory is that every one likes the Big Ten and should see their sports, but the people that care the most get charged the most.

I do remember reading that, and that's what got me interesting in this issue, that they're insisting on $0.10/sub in the whole rest of the country OUTSIDE their regional area. Outrageous.

Maybe if the Big Ten played a tougher out of conference schedule, it would be worth 0.10 for the football games. Not very exciting in those first 3 weeks that they announced.

Dingell Questions 'Big Ten' Cable Impasse

Some cable ops may not show high-def or standard def fees of college games.

By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2007) -- Rep. John Dingell (D-Michigan) is jumping into the battle between the new Big Ten Network and cable TV operators.

Dingell, who heads the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, has sent a letter to Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney asking why the league is asking for so much money from cable operators to carry its new channel.

"The Sports Business Journal recently reported that the Big Ten is asking for a rate of $1.10 per household from cable systems for its content. I understand that this would make the BTN the third most expensive cable channel. How did BTN arrive at that rate?" Dingell asks in the letter.

The Big Ten Network this fall will begin airing football games for such powerhouses as Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. Over the next year, the network will carry 35 football games and 105 college basketball contests, according to The Times.

The network will broadcast both a high-def and standard definition feed. DIRECTV has announced that it will carry Big Ten Network HD when it launches this fall. The channel will be available to all 16 million DIRECTV subscribers.

But some cable operators, particularly Comcast and Time Warner, are claiming that the Big Ten Network is asking for unreasonable programming fees, in large part because it was forced to pay $50 million annually to the Big Ten conference for the rights to the games.

Dingell says he is getting complaints from constituents who are worried that they won't be able to watch their favorite college teams in action this year.

He also expressed concern that Big Ten fans may have to pay for the new channel if the cable operators add it because of the programming fees being requested by the league.

"I have been approached by numerous constituents, all of whom share the same complaint," Dingell says in the letter. "They are concerned about the local availability of University of Michigan football games since none of the Michigan cable systems carry the Big Ten Network (BTN). While I understand the motivation on the part of the Big Ten Conference and its member schools to create a new all-Big Ten cable channel, I am increasingly concerned about the migration of previously free, over the air content to a pay television tier."

Big Ten Network president Mark Silverman told the Detroit Free press on Monday that he's confident of landing a deal with the cable operators prior to the start of the 2007 college football season.

"This happens between cable programmers and cable operators," Silverman said. "It's right out of the typical playbook cable operators use every time a new network comes on board. They've done it for many years and it's typical."

http://www.tvpredictions.com/dingellbigten062607.htm

Can we discuss something BESIDES Big Ten please?

Like how is the HDNET experiment going in Houston? Does this mean Comcast could offer an HDNet tier anywhere else?

What about TBS HD? They had better have it by October,epsecially since the Red Sox seem to have AL East locked up (so far) :)

What about TBS HD? They had better have it by October,epsecially since the Red Sox seem to have AL East locked up (so far) :)

I forgot TBS got the MLB playoffs. At that point TBS HD might actually be forced to show something in HD. That'll be a novelty. :rolleyes:

The Big Ten Network this fall will begin airing football games for such powerhouses as Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.

Hmmm...one of these three does not belong :confused:

Hmmm...one of these three does not belong :confused:

Since Michigan State is NOT a powerhouse... I have to assume you mean the other michigan team...

Comcast To launch HD On-Demand For A&E
By Glen Dickson Broadcasting & Cable 6/27/2007

A&E Television Networks (AETN) says that Comcast will be the first cable operator to provide A&E's high-definition content through video-on-demand (VOD).

Comcast, which has taken the industry lead in providing free VOD content as part of its digital platform, today launched A&E HD VOD through its "ON DEMAND" service. The new A&E service will provide five hours of HD on-demand content and feature highly-rated shows in the network’s “Real-Life Series” and “Justice” genres, including “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” and “The First 48.”

“We are delighted to launch A&E HD on demand with Comcast,” said David Zagin, Executive Vice President of Distribution AETN, in a statement. “We are committed to providing our distributors with opportunities to bring A&E HD programming to their viewers, whenever they want to watch it.”

Comcast currently offers 9,300 programs each month on its VOD platform, including roughly 150 hours of HD programming. The company says that to date, its customers have watched over 7 million HD programs on-demand.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6455995

Comcast To launch HD On-Demand For A&E
By Glen Dickson Broadcasting & Cable 6/27/2007

A&E Television Networks (AETN) says that Comcast will be the first cable operator to provide A&E's high-definition content through video-on-demand (VOD).

Comcast, which has taken the industry lead in providing free VOD content as part of its digital platform, today launched A&E HD VOD through its "ON DEMAND" service. The new A&E service will provide five hours of HD on-demand content and feature highly-rated shows in the network’s “Real-Life Series” and “Justice” genres, including “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” and “The First 48.”

“We are delighted to launch A&E HD on demand with Comcast,” said David Zagin, Executive Vice President of Distribution AETN, in a statement. “We are committed to providing our distributors with opportunities to bring A&E HD programming to their viewers, whenever they want to watch it.”

Comcast currently offers 9,300 programs each month on its VOD platform, including roughly 150 hours of HD programming. The company says that to date, its customers have watched over 7 million HD programs on-demand.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6455995


Just a few months ago I think it was 100 hours of HD OnDemand content. That number is going in the right direction.

GoIrish

I'd like to get A&E-HD first . that is before A&E-HD On Demand.

That 5 hours of VOD HD may wll be all that A&E has to offer, including it's regularly scheduled material. At least that's how it seems.

Since Michigan State is NOT a powerhouse... I have to assume you mean the other michigan team...

I think you both left out a powerhouse. PennState! The old Blue & White PSU should have a comeback year (some time soon). Either way they are a major player in the Big Ten!

I have A&E HD here in Pittsburgh. Do they show anything in HD other than CSI Miami? Hell, even the Sopranos last night was not in HD. I can only imagine how much programming will be available on A&E HD on demand.

I think you both left out a powerhouse. PennState! The old Blue & White PSU should have a comeback year (some time soon). Either way they are a major player in the Big Ten!

Remind me how many powerhouses play Florida Int'l, a barbers school, on the first day of the season...

Penn State v. ND this year should be a great game. Good chance you guys get us back for last years game.

Can't wait for college football.

GoIrish

I have A&E HD here in Pittsburgh. Do they show anything in HD other than CSI Miami? Hell, even the Sopranos last night was not in HD. I can only imagine how much programming will be available on A&E HD on demand.


A&E will probably follow the same pattern of other channels mirroring their analog counterpart and grow their HD content library over time.

The problem for the cable companies and satellite companies is that us consumers want it because it's A&E HD without really knowing how much real content is there at the time.

GoIrish

I've got A&E HD and maybe have watched it 3 times since it went active in early april. I'd much rather give it up for an hdnet and an agreement with the BTN. Give me a netowrk with real HD rather than all pillar bars

Comcast in Huntsville just sent a new shiny pamphlet in the mail. No new channels to be added, and the current line-up is the same as the one they say is for 8-1-2007. Only difference that I see is the price is being raised for some services.

Comcast in Huntsville just sent a new shiny pamphlet in the mail. No new channels to be added, and the current line-up is the same as the one they say is for 8-1-2007. Only difference that I see is the price is being raised for some services.

THAT'S COMCASTIC! :rolleyes:

Comcast To launch HD On-Demand For A&E
By Glen Dickson Broadcasting & Cable 6/27/2007

A&E Television Networks (AETN) says that Comcast will be the first cable operator to provide A&E's high-definition content through video-on-demand (VOD).

Comcast, which has taken the industry lead in providing free VOD content as part of its digital platform, today launched A&E HD VOD through its "ON DEMAND" service. The new A&E service will provide five hours of HD on-demand content and feature highly-rated shows in the network’s “Real-Life Series” and “Justice” genres, including “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” and “The First 48.”

“We are delighted to launch A&E HD on demand with Comcast,” said David Zagin, Executive Vice President of Distribution AETN, in a statement. “We are committed to providing our distributors with opportunities to bring A&E HD programming to their viewers, whenever they want to watch it.”

Comcast currently offers 9,300 programs each month on its VOD platform, including roughly 150 hours of HD programming. The company says that to date, its customers have watched over 7 million HD programs on-demand.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6455995

At what point, exactly, did A&E become the White Trash Channel?

At what point, exactly, did A&E become the White Trash Channel?

Yeah, I hear it's "thee" channel in Decatur, GA. :p

TBS will be HD on Sept.1 The have the first round of the playoffs in Major League Baseball. Sox should be itne first round. Dont let us down COmcast.

If Comcast thinks the MLB playoffs are as important as the World Cup, it might happen. Comcast tends to make sports a priority when adding channels.

I noticed a few A&E HD programs yesterday in the OnDemand section here. I found them under the A&E section (not HD section) of the OnDemand menu.

If Comcast thinks the MLB playoffs are as important as the World Cup, it might happen. Comcast tends to make sports a priority when adding channels.

I was in a market lucky enough to get ESPN2HD after fighting with CSR and missing the first few games in HD, however, we have free bandwidth and hope to soon have all the additions that Comcast has been making promising.

Looking forward to...

Food HD and HGTV HD (already live in Comcast areas)
All 6 Discovery channels (somebody said Comcast will be adding these at launch)
Hopefully TBS HD at launch for the MLB Play Offs (that will seriously piss me off)

And finally

NHL Center Ice HD every day next season. With all the RSNs doing more and more HD, we should be able to get those HD feeds every night

I think we might needs SDV for the last part, but that is what Cablevision did to add the VOOM HD channels. They moved all the season pass sports packages to SDV..

What's the next HD channel for Comcast?

This was posted on 7/17/04. Now after nearly 3 years, how many channels have really been added ? Good time to take stock ...

This was posted on 7/17/04. Now after nearly 3 years, how many channels have really been added ? Good time to take stock ...

If I'm correct, they've added 8 (ESPN2, TNT, Discovery, VSGolf, Universal, MHD, NG & A&E) and taken 1 away (INHD2). That's about 2 per year. I'm guessing I'll see Food & HG added in about 6-7 months, so a year from now my expectations are that I'll have 2 (possibly 3 if I'm very lucky) more HD channels than I have now.

Comcast cares nothing about HD; they've in essence said as much. They're spending their billions on phone service and InDemand, neither of which I have an interest in. After 25 years w/Comcast and their predecessors, I expect to be changing soon to the provider that IS interested in providing all available HD channels to it's customers.

you missed one addition of InHD/MOJO.

Comcast cares nothing about HDNo service provider should (as such). Instead, service providers care about fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility to their owners. HD is simply a tool they can apply, strategically and intelligently, to accomplish their actual mission, and it shouldn't be any other way.

I expect to be changing soon to the provider that IS interested in providing all available HD channels to it's customers.Pardon the reminiscence... I used to be an international management consultant. Back in 1984, the big push was to celebrate what made a company successful. Experts got their heads together and came up with criteria -- criteria of the same sort as you've voiced here ("interesting in providing all available..."). The first year's winners were announced, including Wallace Industries. Hurrah! For months Wallace Industries was the toast of the nation. Then they went out of business. The cause eventually became well-known: Failing to keep an eye on what was really important: Demonstrated contribution to long-term shareholder value.

Back to relevance: A service provider that focuses on "providing all available HD channels to its customers" is missing the point -- they should be doing all they can do to foster long-term shareholder value, and that means providing HD to the extent that it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs.

If I'm correct, they've added 8 (ESPN2, TNT, Discovery, VSGolf, Universal, MHD, NG & A&E) and taken 1 away (INHD2).They've already added Food Network HD and HGTV HD, though you haven't seen them yet.

you missed one addition of InHD/MOJO.

I think we already had that 3 years ago. (both 1 & 2).

They've already added Food Network HD and HGTV HD, though you haven't seen them yet.

No, and here in South Jersey we probably won't see them for several more months. Our lag time for NG/A&E was about 7 or 8 months after they started adding them in other parts of the country.

No, and here in South Jersey we probably won't see them for several more months. Our lag time for NG/A&E was about 7 or 8 months after they started adding them in other parts of the country.

Just because Jersey doesn't have them, doesn't mean that they are not on Comcast systems. I'm in Lansing, MI and don't have them, but know that they exist on Comcast systems. We are typically 3-4 months behind Detroit for getting additions (Hopefully less now that Lansing and Grand Rapids are combined into one billing system) and they aren't even publicly scheduled yet.

They have been deployed in the Boston/New England market and have scheduled for I believe Chicago and others in July.

Settle and wait for some system upgrades, you'll get your HD channels. If you don't like your service, then go to a different provider. Try HD Lite from E* and D*, maybe you'll like that service. E* had the most channels, but at ver low bit rates and res.

What surprises me is that in Chicago even AFTER the shutoff of extedned analog,there are still just 24 HD channels while Boston already has 25 and still has 44 analog extended basic channels.

What surprises me is that in Chicago even AFTER the shutoff of extedned analog,there are still just 24 HD channels while Boston already has 25 and still has 44 analog extended basic channels.
Well, there's one other local station's HD feed that we could pick up (WCIU, 26) for the occasional Cubs/Sox/Bulls game, but other than that what other HD channels are available? Once we get the four new HD stations on July 18 (A&E, Food Network, HGTV, and National Geographic) we'll have all the national stations that Comcast offers. What else should we have?

I don't think that's even the correct question. Rather, "What other HD channels do substantial numbers of Chicagoans WANT to have?" That's all that matters.

Recent comments here have expressed concern that Comcast will not have TBS HD in time for the baseball playoffs. Not in Atlanta so I can only repeat what I have heard secondhand that TBS has very little HD now.

Let's say Comcast adds TBS in time for the playoffs in many locations. How soon will the complaints come that TBS is a waste of bandwidth once the games are over ?

GoIrish

Recent comments here have expressed concern that Comcast will not have TBS HD in time for the baseball playoffs. Not in Atlanta so I can only repeat what I have heard secondhand that TBS has very little HD now.

Let's say Comcast adds TBS in time for the playoffs in many locations. How soon will the complaints come that TBS is a waste of bandwidth once the games are over ?

GoIrish

WTBS and TBS-HD will not be the same thing. thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=866874)

hopefully TBS-HD will have a vault of syndicated tv that has been converted to HD or they use pillars and don't follow TNT's stretch-o-vision. Seinfeld has been reproduced in HD and I believe the same for latter seasons of Friends. TBS's new comedy "House of Payne" I read was being done in HD (but can't confirm). Wikipedia article on the show reports that TBS ordered 100 episodes, so I hope its being done in HD.

WTBS and TBS-HD will not be the same thing. thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=866874)

hopefully TBS-HD will have a vault of syndicated tv that has been converted to HD or they use pillars and don't follow TNT's stretch-o-vision. Seinfeld has been reproduced in HD and I believe the same for latter seasons of Friends. TBS's new comedy "House of Payne" I read was being done in HD (but can't confirm). Wikipedia article on the show reports that TBS ordered 100 episodes, so I hope its being done in HD.

Well, according to the press release, they will not use pillars at all, which leads me to believe they will be using stretch-o-vision on a lot of programming(maybe they'll only show original 16:9 HD content, but that's probably a ways off).

This from the press release following the one you quoted:
TBS in HD will be broadcast in 1080i 24 hours a day and use Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound across all TBS in HD programming. In addition, TBS in HD will present all of its programming, including promotional content and commercials, in 16:9 wide-screen, giving viewers a consistent viewing experience.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10884491&&#post10884491

Well, according to the press release, they will not use pillars at all, which leads me to believe they will be using stretch-o-vision on a lot of programming(maybe they'll only show original 16:9 HD content, but that's probably a ways off).

This from the press release following the one you quoted:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10884491&&#post10884491

I'm still hoping that if they get enough viewer response/feedback, they will reconsider.

I encourage everyone to email tbsinfo@turner.com and ask for no "stretch-o-vision" and pillar bars on non widescreen and use OAR on all content

Recent comments here have expressed concern that Comcast will not have TBS HD in time for the baseball playoffs. Not in Atlanta so I can only repeat what I have heard secondhand that TBS has very little HD now.

Let's say Comcast adds TBS in time for the playoffs in many locations. How soon will the complaints come that TBS is a waste of bandwidth once the games are over ?

GoIrish


GoIrish, I recently talked to a Comcast Customer Care Specialist in Chicago & that person stated that Comcast will add more HD channels in September so there could be a possibility that TBS HD might be one of them.

Recent comments here have expressed concern that Comcast will not have TBS HD in time for the baseball playoffs. Not in Atlanta so I can only repeat what I have heard secondhand that TBS has very little HD now.

Let's say Comcast adds TBS in time for the playoffs in many locations. How soon will the complaints come that TBS is a waste of bandwidth once the games are over ?

GoIrish

I can only speak for me. I will not complain about bars or stretch-o-vision on TBS-HD if Comcast gets it. I want to see the playoffs in HD.

So give me the games in HD and I won't worry about the other stuff. I know A&E HD doesn't have a lot of HD yet and we are scheduled to get it next week (the 10th). It is all part of growing pains.

Neithe MOJO nor MHD have any appeal to me, but that doesn't mean they aren't valuable to a segment of viewers. The more the better. Once we have the channel when TBS does get siginificant content we would already have it.

It is only a waste of bandwidth if it precludes something else that the individual would want more. I heard the same about NGCHD when it started (before my area got it) but now it seems to have a lot of HD content (we watch Explorer a lot.)

Rich N.

This weekend, I watched 2 very good (older) movies in HD on Comcast:

Forrest Gump on TNT (wish it were commercial free)
JAWS on UHD(? don't remember the channel)

All of us that have HDTV's are really still the early adopters even though HD has been out for a while. HD content hasn't hit that tipping point yet where it is the norm. I almost wish that day will not come because if everything is in HD, the WOW factor will be gone! Then we will have the get the next big thing...3D tv?

On the other hand, I can't wait for Comcast to add more HD Content!!! I was at Best Buy the other day and all the LCD's were showing Food Network HD!!! Looming before me was a whole row of giant chocolate cakes...must have been 5-6 layers high!!!

I have had HD for 3 years now. The WOW factor still jumps in from time to time.

I know i was the first but more and more people have been getting HD sets,but some refuse to invest in what is needed to get HD programming.

ESPNews and ESPN Classic are moving to digital on 7/10, the same day A&E HD and HGTV HD are being added. Still leaves room for two more HD channels.

OK so what WILL be the next HD channel for comcast?

I'm hoping for TBS

Back to relevance: A service provider that focuses on "providing all available HD channels to its customers" is missing the point -- they should be doing all they can do to foster long-term shareholder value, and that means providing HD to the extent that it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs.You explain the concept correctly and keep missing the point.

D* has all the HD buzz now, with its soon to be massive HD capability. Wait until you see how Comcast responds.

Wait until you see how Comcast responds.

This is gonna be fun.:cool:

Personally, I would like to see English Soccer in HD. Sky Sports HD now broadcasts the games in HD. I think Fox Soccer Channel should make these games available in HD in the U.S.

Also, Direct Tv and Dish are planning to add a lot of HD channels within a year, I think cable will naturally follow the same path. I think the Competition is heating up on who can deliver the most HD content.
I saw an article the other day (can't remember where) that states about 50% of U.S housholds now have HD compatably Tv's.
There is no point in buying expensive HD tv's if you are not going to watch HD programming.

You explain the concept correctly and keep missing the point. I'm not missing the point. I said, "that means providing HD to the extent that it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs." So if you're expecting Comcast to just match DirecTV for the sake of matching them, you're simply off-kilter. They're going to do what they're going to do that because, and only if, it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs. As is often the case, I find that a lot of predictions are lacking when it comes to factoring in reality.

OK so what WILL be the next HD channel for comcast?

I'm hoping for TBS

My understanding is that TBS-HD won't even be available until September (just in time for the MLB Playoffs). However, I don't think MLB executives (both in general and locally) are that interested in HD now. (Extra Innings has no HD, does it?). Also, in our area MASN (all O's and Nat's games) has no HD this year.

Since Comcast is good with sports, maybe it will be. It seems the new channels won't have a lot of HD content yet, but that's okay for now. NGCHD has a lot of HD now after 3 months or so.

I've had HDTV since spring 2003 and still, nothing gets the wow factor like nature shows and sports, IMHO.

Rich N.

My understanding is that TBS-HD won't even be available until September (just in time for the MLB Playoffs). However, I don't think MLB executives (both in general and locally) are that interested in HD now. (Extra Innings has no HD, does it?). Also, in our area MASN (all O's and Nat's games) has no HD this year.

Since Comcast is good with sports, maybe it will be. It seems the new channels won't have a lot of HD content yet, but that's okay for now. NGCHD has a lot of HD now after 3 months or so.

I've had HDTV since spring 2003 and still, nothing gets the wow factor like nature shows and sports, IMHO.

Rich N.

MLB loves HD, every team, and carrier is pushing for more and more HD each season. The fact that the Nat's and O's went to MASN who have no HD this year caused a HUGE uproar this spring. The O's had HD coverage on CSN-MA last and there were many complaints and articles written to this fact.

MLB EI has HD thought both InDemand (http://www.indemand.com/sports/mlb/schedule/mlbScheduleHD.pdf) and D*
(http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3160004)

Comcast better get TBS-HD for the MLB playoffs or there will be a huge uproar again.

ESPN and Fox Sports are the two national carriers and they carry every game in either HD or SD Wide Screen (Digital Component, great pic).

This is just a guess, but is you combine every MLB game done in HD, it will outpass the combined NBA and NHL (MLB 162 games, NBA 82 games, NHL 82 games) for last season (National TV, RSN, Local tv, etc).

jefbal99:

There was an outcry about MASN and no HD, not from MLB but from fans on this forum, and it had no effect. Maybe our emails to MASN will encourage them to get HD next year.

InDemand has no games at all this year. Their previous games were in HD.

I'm still not aware that Extra Innings has any HD on Comcast.

Rich N.

jefbal99:

There was an outcry about MASN and no HD, not from MLB but from fans on this forum, and it had no effect. Maybe our emails to MASN will encourage them to get HD next year.

InDemand has no games at all this year. Their previous games were in HD.

I'm still not aware that Extra Innings has any HD on Comcast.

Rich N.

i remember reading news articles from the washington post about it. The comments from MASN were cost and startup, etc.

An area in Delaware got NHL CI and NBA LP on their HD PPV channel and they are Comcast. Not sure if they are doing MLB games there. Just because Comcast does not offer it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Reference the links I posted, GameHD does exist and I believe Cox and TW carry it on many systems.

I've complained and complained and requested and bitched and escalated with Comcast via Marketing, Customer Service, Executive Support, and my local office to no avail. I've also emailed InDemand that I will NOT subscribe to any season pass until Comcast offers GameHD in my local system. I've subscribed to many season passes in the past and would have MLB EI right now if Game HD was available.

I hope everyone that wants their sports season pass in HD writes both Comcast and InDemand. Its the only way to get change.

"Comcast and other cable operators are hoping that the expansion of high-def on demand will satisfy HD viewers who might be tempted to switch when DIRECTV adds dozens of HD channels this fall."

...from TVPredictions.com

"Comcast and other cable operators are hoping that the expansion of high-def on demand will satisfy HD viewers who might be tempted to switch when DIRECTV adds dozens of HD channels this fall."

...from TVPredictions.com

My a*s, if D* brings the quality back up and gets HD channels that Comcast currently has over it, then buh bye to C*

OnDemand is worthless, I have a DVR for viewing what I miss. I think I've used OnDemand a grand total of 4 times.

My a*s, if D* brings the quality back up and gets HD channels that Comcast currently has over it, then buh bye to C*

OnDemand is worthless, I have a DVR for viewing what I miss. I think I've used OnDemand a grand total of 4 times.

Agree about the On Demand, it is great when you first get service, because it has a lot of stuff you might not have had access to before, but it hardly ever if ever shows anything that you haven't already had an opportunity to see after about a month or so of signing up.

I never watch on demand shows due to dvr.

I never watch on demand shows due to dvr.

I use it often and my kids even more. 1 billion uses so far just this year by Comcast customers. Supposedly this could be close to 2 billion by year end.

The HD on demand stuff keeps growing as well, at least in my neck of the woods.

GoIrish

I use it often and my kids even more. 1 billion uses so far just this year by Comcast customers. Supposedly this could be close to 2 billion by year end.

The HD on demand stuff keeps growing as well, at least in my neck of the woods.

GoIrish

Are those stats from Comcast or an outside agency?

I bump my ondemand button and just getting into the system Comcast would count as a use just to pad the numbers. Just like D* and their "top quality PQ 150 national HD channels."

Personally, I would like to see English Soccer in HD. Sky Sports HD now broadcasts the games in HD. I think Fox Soccer Channel should make these games available in HD in the U.S.

Also, Direct Tv and Dish are planning to add a lot of HD channels within a year, I think cable will naturally follow the same path. I think the Competition is heating up on who can deliver the most HD content.
I saw an article the other day (can't remember where) that states about 50% of U.S housholds now have HD compatably Tv's.
There is no point in buying expensive HD tv's if you are not going to watch HD programming.
While 50% may have HDTV's it's a relative few percentage that give a flip about Soccer from any country to justify a dedicated channel - specialty sports and the like really need to be choices from HD On-Demand to meet the needs of those specialty segments versus making them full-time force fed wasted HD for the rest of us like that redundant waste of a Music Channel.

Enjoy your Soccer but I can think of dozens of channels that could use the space full-time that appeals to the majority audience of US viewers that have no interest in the sport and excitement of 1-0 games after a few hours - NOT!

On-Demand can serve the other segments like your interests sort of like one's IPOD and the internet does. We already have alot of waste all we need is a soccer game that none of us yanks follow. ;)

While 50% may have HDTV's it's a relative few percentage that give a flip about Soccer from any country to justify a dedicated channel - specialty sports and the like really need to be choices from HD On-Demand to meet the needs of those specialty segments versus making them full-time force fed wasted HD for the rest of us like that redundant waste of a Music Channel.

Enjoy your Soccer but I can think of dozens of channels that could use the space full-time that appeals to the majority audience of US viewers that have no interest in the sport and excitement of 1-0 games after a few hours - NOT!

On-Demand can serve the other segments like your interests sort of like one's IPOD and the internet does. We already have alot of waste all we need is a soccer game that none of us yanks follow. ;)

Those are a lot of gross generalizations that you are making there about soccer fans in the US. There are many more of us than you think. Just because you don't enjoy a 1-0 or 0-0 game doesn't mean everyone else doesn't. I agree that Comcast could make a great use of OnDemand by making this type of content available, but it needs to be live, not pulled off a server when we already know the result.

I applaud ESPN last night for pulling their primary content and showing the US U-20 Team at the FIFA Youth World Cup vs Brazil. Huge win for the team over the tournaments early favorites. It wasn't HD, but it was a good use of the FIFA provided broadcast.

I think I've used OnDemand a grand total of 4 times.


That's more than me.

Lansing, MI and Grand Rapids, MI are getting both Food HD and HGTV HD on 7/31

I'd thought of On Demand as the future before it was available. I've had it for years now and watch about OD 1 show per year. Since my wife falls asleep watching TV and she's used to TiVo, the 24 hour window of availability is just not enough. That aside I don't even watch the freebies.

OnDemand would work a lot better if they got new content much faster. Get movies within weeks of Theatre release rather than months. Make anything available on broadcast TV or cable that the sub could watch live, free (they were charging for HDTV replays in the past). More content, more content, more content and don't charge or over charge for it.

Maybe even offer some stuff OnDemand before its available for broadcast, that would be a great selling point.

I love OnDemand when it works, but lately it hasn't worked about one out of every three times I try to use it. When it does work, I mainly use it late at night when I can't find anything interesting to watch.

I love OnDemand when it works, but lately it hasn't worked about one out of every three times I try to use it. When it does work, I mainly use it late at night when I can't find anything interesting to watch.

I'm the same way, they should make OnDemand an ala carte feature, especially with the digital conversion coming.

What I really want is a way to connect On Demand to the DVR, directing the DVR to download a program into my DVR's storage, so I can watch it using my DVR's capabilities.

Getting extra HD ON Demand should NOT be a substitute for new HD channels.

Comcast should not stay with just 25 channels if Direct TV bumps up to 60 (I exclude PPV and west coast feeds)

Comcast should not stay with just 25 channels if Direct TV bumps up to 60 (I exclude PPV and west coast feeds)

You have 25? We have 22 here (S. Jersey).

You have 25? We have 22 here (S. Jersey).
Are you including local HD channels in that count? I only receive the following and I am in Lakewood

200 Comcast Sportsnet HD
201 HD Special Events
202 ESPN HD
203 ESPN2 HD Sports
204 TNT HD
205 Discovery HD Theater
206 INHD/Sports Overflow
207 Versus/Golf HD
208 Universal HD
209 MHD (MTV HD)
212 YES HD Sports
214 Pay-Per-View Sport on HD
215 & 300 HBO HDTV
219 & 319 Cinemax HDTV
223 & 339 Showtime HDTV
227 & 369 STARZ! HDTV
231 WABC-DT (ABC HD)
232 WNBC-DT (NBC HD)
233 WCBS-DT (CBS HD)
234 WNYW-DT (FOX HD)
235 WPIX-DT (CW-HD)
240 WNET-DT (PBS-HD)

Are you including local HD channels in that count? I only receive the following and I am in Lakewood

200 Comcast Sportsnet HD
201 HD Special Events
202 ESPN HD
203 ESPN2 HD Sports
204 TNT HD
205 Discovery HD Theater
206 INHD/Sports Overflow
207 Versus/Golf HD
208 Universal HD
209 MHD (MTV HD)
212 YES HD Sports
214 Pay-Per-View Sport on HD
215 & 300 HBO HDTV
219 & 319 Cinemax HDTV
223 & 339 Showtime HDTV
227 & 369 STARZ! HDTV
231 WABC-DT (ABC HD)
232 WNBC-DT (NBC HD)
233 WCBS-DT (CBS HD)
234 WNYW-DT (FOX HD)
235 WPIX-DT (CW-HD)
240 WNET-DT (PBS-HD)

We don't have HD Special Events or YES, and chitchatjf said he/she didn't include PPV, so I didn't either. I'm in Burlington County. Looks like you're missing UPN, WB and A&E.

I would like an HD SE or PPV channel.

We don't have HD Special Events or YES, and chitchatjf said he/she didn't include PPV, so I didn't either. I'm in Burlington County. Looks like you're missing UPN, WB and A&E.

UPN & The WB no longer exist. All he is missing is Nat. Geo HD, A&E HD and WWOR-HD (MY Network TV) which Comcast also doesn't have in my area. This is my lineup

200- CSN Philadelphia HD
201- HD Special Events/CN8
202- ESPN HD
203- ESPN 2 HD
204- TNT HD
205- Discovery HD Theater
206- MOJO/Sports Overflow
207- Versus/Golf HD
208- Universal HD
209- MHD
210- HD Sports Overflow
212- YES Network HD
214- PPV HD
215,300- HBO HD
219,319- Cinemax HD
223,339- Showtime HD
227,369- Starz HD
231- WABC HD (ABC)
232- WNBC HD (NBC)
233- WCBS HD (CBS)
234- WNYW HD (FOX)
235- WPIX HD (CW)
240- WNET HD (PBS)

Also there are no signs of HGTV HD or Food Network HD, yet.

You guys are lucky. My local cableco carries:

ABCHD
CBSHD
NBCHD
FOXHD
Universal HD
ESPNHD
ESPN2HD
Discovery HD Theater
National Geographic HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HBOHD

CW, PBS, and MNTV are available OTA in HD - but not carried by cable (and there are no contractual disputes). :(

UPN & The WB no longer exist. All he is missing is Nat. Geo HD, A&E HD and WWOR-HD (MY Network TV) which Comcast also doesn't have in my area.

I know they technically don't exist, but they're still represented in the guide. The WB is "My Network TV" and UPN is "The CW"; we have both, so he is missing The CW. I missed NG on his list. We do have it.

maxman, in fact, in the NYC metro area, it was the other way around: WB became the CW and UPN became My9.

As far as contract disputes, I'd like to know more about it. I don't think there's a contract reason for My9HD not to be carried by Comcast. In fact, I am surprised that Comcast doesnt' carry it for the simple reason that's the only NYC-Metro area HD channel HQed in NJ.

Wait until you see how Comcast responds.

Does the M 8 have a guess as to WHEN the response may come?

Back to relevance: A service provider that focuses on "providing all available HD channels to its customers" is missing the point -- they should be doing all they can do to foster long-term shareholder value, and that means providing HD to the extent that it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs.

This is so simplistic.

It is really a question of what is "long-term" and "sufficiently".

Moreover I'm somewhat surprised that people think shareholders are the only stake holders in what a company does. There are several stake holders with varying degrees of interest - afterall shareholders can easily take their money and move on if they don't like the way a company does business. Others may have a more enduring relationship and higher stake in a company's success.

Let's not let another thread get sidetracked into discussing why companies like to save money.

Just heard a radio ad for Optimum (Cablevision - Central Jersey) that they have 40 free high def channels. Don't know how many are the VOOM channels, but if you add in premium HD channels that's about 20 more than Comcast is offering.

I live in the Twin Cities area of MN, and I've called Comcast twice now about upcoming HD channels. Both times, I've gotten non-answers. Does anybody know if there are any plans here to add any of the VOOM channels or any other HD content? I'd rather not switch to Dish just for a few channels (Monsters HD mainly).

I live in the Twin Cities area of MN, and I've called Comcast twice now about upcoming HD channels. Both times, I've gotten non-answers. Does anybody know if there are any plans here to add any of the VOOM channels or any other HD content? I'd rather not switch to Dish just for a few channels (Monsters HD mainly).

I sent you a private message.

Food HD and Universal HD should be coming soon to the Twin Cities area.

I'm not missing the point. I said, "that means providing HD to the extent that it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs." So if you're expecting Comcast to just match DirecTV for the sake of matching them, you're simply off-kilter.
Q. Where did I say that?
A. I didn't.


They're going to do what they're going to do that because, and only if, it contributes to profitability sufficiently more than doing so costs.Is this supposed to be a surprise?


As is often the case, I find that a lot of predictions are lacking when it comes to factoring in reality.Yes, well try looking at what the big cableco's are spending on SDV, and get back with us. That is the reality of the situation.

You guys are lucky. My local cableco carries:

ABCHD
CBSHD
NBCHD
FOXHD
Universal HD
ESPNHD
ESPN2HD
Discovery HD Theater
National Geographic HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HBOHD

CW, PBS, and MNTV are available OTA in HD - but not carried by cable (and there are no contractual disputes). :(
Dude, you're living on the Ritz, try my lineup on for size, Comcast BTW,

ABCHD
CBSHD
NBCHD
FOXHD
PBSHD
Discovery-HD
ESPN-HD
FSNBA-HD
HBOHD
CinemaxHD
StarzHD

FSNBA-HD was added a few months ago, otherwise it's the same lineup we've had since Comcast started with HD 3-4 years ago.

Dude, you're living on the Ritz, try my lineup on for size, Comcast BTW,

ABCHD
CBSHD
NBCHD
FOXHD
PBSHD
Discovery-HD
ESPN-HD
FSNBA-HD
HBOHD
CinemaxHD
StarzHD

FSNBA-HD was added a few months ago, otherwise it's the same lineup we've had since Comcast started with HD 3-4 years ago.

Are you in one of the California areas that got announced in the 1Ghz upgrade earlier this year.

If you are on an old 550 Mhz system, they couldn't fit much more than that in there.

Are you in one of the California areas that got announced in the 1Ghz upgrade earlier this year.

If you are on an old 550 Mhz system, they couldn't fit much more than that in there.
Yes, the upgrade is supposed to happen in the next 6 mos or so. Yes, it's packed, we actually had to give up Showtime to fit the local FOXHD channel in the lineup.

Apparently, the system is actually 750Mhz, but due to equipment and/or improper setup done by AT&T, the system has been limited to 550Mhz. Soon though we'll equal the best in the nation, I hope... :)

A&E HD and HGTV HD have been added in Baltimore.

210 ABC
211 NBC
212 CBS
213 FOX
214 CW
220 PBS
223 A&E
224 National Geographic
225 Discovery
226 MOJO
227 MHD
228 HBO
229 HGTV
233 Cinemax
238 Showtime
248 Starz
249 TNT
250 Universal
251 CSN
252 ESPN
253 ESPN2
254 Golf/Versus
258 HD-SE (PPV)

Let's not let another thread get sidetracked into discussing why companies like to save money.Agreed. I'll let the subject drop if others are willing to do so.