When is Comcast going to get HDNet and HDNet Movies?

From what I've heard, I wouldn't hold your breath.....

It's an interesting point though. Comcast is taking over the Houston Time Warner system (which already has HDNET). Houston is also the home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, which has an exclusive deal with HDNet for HD coverage of shuttle launches.

Could our friends in the space agency be pushing Comcast and Cuban to get a deal so the Houston support teams will be able to keep access to the live footage in addition to what is closed circuit to them from the cape?

It seems years have gone by without HDNet and Comcast negotiating an agreement. Maybe someone can outline what's held things up. Seems there's a similar hex between Time Warner and Disney (agreeing on ESPN2-HD, etc.), and recall years ago when my TWC service cut off ABC from cable for a few days during a testy negotiation. -- John

It's an interesting point though. Comcast is taking over the Houston Time Warner system (which already has HDNET). Houston is also the home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, which has an exclusive deal with HDNet for HD coverage of shuttle launches.

Could our friends in the space agency be pushing Comcast and Cuban to get a deal so the Houston support teams will be able to keep access to the live footage in addition to what is closed circuit to them from the cape?

I'm sure the Adelphia customers would have liked to have kept HDNet, too. If NASA really had any juice anymore, they wouldn't be comparing notes with Virgin Galatic.

Hopefully mcuban will give us a reply about this. I really cannot understand what's the issue... maybe the Roberts don't like the fact that Dallas is kicking some serious a.... in the NBA whereas the Comcast-owned 76ers suck... ;)

My cable company used to be Adelphia and has switched over to being Comcast. HDNET and HDNETMV channels are now gone, replaced by TNTHD (home of movies edited for time and content, replete with large animated bugs, commercials and their world-famous Stretch-O-Vision) and a golf channel.

I am not amused.

- All the HD channels Comcast carries are contractually bundled with the SD counterpart, with the exception of INHD (soon to be Mojo) of which Comcast is part owner.

- Comcast does not want to pay extra for HD channels, nor do they want to charge subscribers for an HD tier.

- HDNet has no SD counterpart channel, so they would have to be compensated solely for the HD channel. Therein lies the rub. Well, that and perhaps the price HDNet wants.

- Another factor is that Comcast may look at INHD (Mojo) as being a suitable alternative to HDNet.

Comcast is dropping the ball by not carrying HDNET. INHD (soon to be Mojo) is a horrible channel. Why would Comcast even think that INHD is a suitable alternative to HDNET?

- Comcast does not want to pay extra for HD channels, nor do they want to charge subscribers for an HD tier.

That argument is such a complete joke. Time Warner charged about $6 for the HD tier, which included HDNet and HDNet movies. I paid it happily. Comcast comes in make a big deal about how they're no longer going to charge the $6 for the HD package... then proceed to raise my overall bill by WAY more than $6 over what Time Warner was charging. So, not only am I losing HDNet and HDNet movies, I'm paying more for the privilege not getting to watch those channels anymore.

Since there is no SD equivalent of HDNet, they would not be paying "extra" for it.

Hell just throw 'em in that Sports & Entertainment tier they started...

HDNet on Demand?

Hell just throw 'em in that Sports & Entertainment tier they started...

I agree with this. It wouldn't even bother me if they made it a pay channel like HBO.

I agree with this. It wouldn't even bother me if they made it a pay channel like HBO.
At least for HDNET Movies, anyway. HDNET would be worth some extra change each month, but HDNET Movies would be worth a real subscription. There are way more movies that I would prefer to see than on HBO, in OAR to boot. That's one of the reasons I just cancelled HBO. The other is because they cancelled all the series I watched. I figured fair was fair.

At any rate, Comcast has no shot of getting my money until they offer the HDNETs.

Hmmm. Maybe I should call them up every so often and discuss packages and such, then refuse to pull the trigger when they tell me no HDNET.

Comcast doesn't carry HDNET for one reason...THEY DON'T HAVE TO. There are many Comcast customers out there who cannot get an alternative to their service and they have those customers by the "you know whats". I am one of those customers and I am totally frustrated with Comcast. If I could get satalite, I would drop them in a heartbeat.

- Another factor is that Comcast may look at INHD (Mojo) as being a suitable alternative to HDNet.Apparently they have never watched any of these channels then :(. INHD is a complete waste, while the HDNets (particularly HDNet Movies) are outstanding. Just one more reason I'll be jumping to Verizon when they are up and running locally within the next year.


ron

Apparently they have never watched any of these channels then :(. INHD is a complete waste, while the HDNets (particularly HDNet Movies) are outstanding. Just one more reason I'll be jumping to Verizon when they are up and running locally within the next year.


Wish I could get Verizon here in NE Portland - I'd be right there with you. Apparently Qwest is so far behind on fiber that it may be next decade before we have an alternative.

Comcast has made reasonable offers to carry HDNet which HDNet has turned down. Until HDNet accepts, there's not much Comcast and responsibly do.

My understanding is that Verizon is basically pulling out of Maine, with regard to all terrestrial based services (including telephone, DSL and FIOS). It's evidently not profitable to operate there at the service quality levels Verizon wants to maintain nationwide.

TW in Memphis carried both. Comcast has now taken over here and both HDNet's will be gone pretty soon.

Yeah, ex-adelphia regions around here have had both HDNets pulled quickly after they were rebranded to Comcast. But they did have TNT and NatGeo added in their place.

Comcast has made reasonable offers to carry HDNet which HDNet has turned down. Until HDNet accepts, there's not much Comcast and responsibly do.

My understanding is that Verizon is basically pulling out of Maine, with regard to all terrestrial based services (including telephone, DSL and FIOS). It's evidently not profitable to operate there at the service quality levels Verizon wants to maintain nationwide.

Until both HDNet and Comcast waive their NDAs, we won't know who is telling the truth. There is no way you can substantiate HDNet is bullying Comcast into signing a one-sided deal in their favor. I expect both sides to blame the other. Lord knows neither side will agree to post the terms publicly.

Considering how Comcast plays with their Philadelphia RSN and InHD (iN DEMAND) channels, they're in no position to throw stones over rates and carriage.

Comcast doesn't carry HDNET for one reason...THEY DON'T HAVE TO. There are many Comcast customers out there who cannot get an alternative to their service....
Huh?

There are very few Comcast subs that can't get a DBS service. Very few.

Until both HDNet and Comcast waive their NDAs, we won't know who is telling the truth. There is no way you can substantiate HDNet is bullying Comcast into signing a one-sided deal in their favor. I expect both sides to blame the other. Lord knows neither side will agree to post the terms publicly.True, but we do know that Comcast has negotiated deals with National Geographic, Discovery, A&E, etc., as well as with HBO, Showtime and Starz.

I don't begrudge HDNet its desire to exact whatever compensation arrangement it feels is appropriate for its product, but neither should we begrudge Comcast its desire to only accept offers that fit with its objectives.

- Another factor is that Comcast may look at INHD (Mojo) as being a suitable alternative to HDNet.

Only Comcastland could produce a mind so far removed from reality to consider something like this.

I miss my HDNET, I just moved to an area that comcast is my only choice so I am pretty much screwed for now.

I miss my HDNET, I just moved to an area that comcast is my only choice so I am pretty much screwed for now.
Do you not have a line of sight for sat?

Do you not have a line of sight for sat?

I have to assume lunat1c, like myself, picked Comcast because of the quality, quantity, and HD Locals. E* offers more channels than both D* and CableCos, but Comcast (in every market I've seen) has the best quality among the three. Plus most Comcast markets offer RSNs in HD, VSGLF, InHD, etc. Plus the major cable networks that have HD and locals in HD.

D* and E* just suck for quality.

True, but we do know that Comcast has negotiated deals with National Geographic, Discovery, A&E, etc., as well as with HBO, Showtime and Starz.

I don't begrudge HDNet its desire to exact whatever compensation arrangement it feels is appropriate for its product, but neither should we begrudge Comcast its desire to only accept offers that fit with its objectives.

It seems like an "apples and oranges" comparison, since all of those other services are part of larger media companies that operate a variety of SD cable channels -- which means that their bargaining position is much better than HDNet's. There's also more opportunity for "give and take" in the pricing of the different services, which is (once again) something that HDNet lacks.

Unfortunately for HDNet, this reality dictates that they're not really in a position to dictate much of anything to Comcast, but can only accept or reject whatever is offered. I can't say that I'd much want to be in HDNet's negotiating position fighting the cable companies.

I have comcast in Atlanta, I'm pleased with the HD offerings. Things could always be better. I know of few companies that carry everything. Brighthouse Cable in Daytona Beach has a nice offering at my folks beach Condo.

Like i said the reason the H channels ar enot yet on Comcast

a)Cuban wants a per subscriber fee. (Fair considering program quality)

b)Comcast does NOT want to start an HD only extra charge tier (also fair)

c)Cuban dosen't really have much else to offer Comcast (except possibly exclusive rights to a possible HDNET on Demand)

It seems like an "apples and oranges" comparison, since all of those other services are part of larger media companies that operate a variety of SD cable channels -- which means that their bargaining position is much better than HDNet's.Even more remarkable, then, that HDNet is holding out for a better deal than some of them.

Unfortunately for HDNet, this reality dictates that they're not really in a position to dictate much of anything to Comcast, but can only accept or reject whatever is offered.And evidently Comcast is in the same position; they can offer whatever they want, but if HDNet won't accept, there won't be any deal.

I have to assume lunat1c, like myself, picked Comcast because of the quality, quantity, and HD Locals. E* offers more channels than both D* and CableCos, but Comcast (in every market I've seen) has the best quality among the three. Plus most Comcast markets offer RSNs in HD, VSGLF, InHD, etc. Plus the major cable networks that have HD and locals in HD.

D* and E* just suck for quality.

Yes. However, my apartment complex doesn't allow us to have dishes installed.

Yes. However, my apartment complex doesn't allow us to have dishes installed.

They may not have a choice...

That argument is such a complete joke. Time Warner charged about $6 for the HD tier, which included HDNet and HDNet movies. I paid it happily. Comcast comes in make a big deal about how they're no longer going to charge the $6 for the HD package... then proceed to raise my overall bill by WAY more than $6 over what Time Warner was charging. So, not only am I losing HDNet and HDNet movies, I'm paying more for the privilege not getting to watch those channels anymore.

You are also paying for this -- already well on its way to becoming the tallest sky scraper in Philadelphia (and will be the 12th tallest in the U.S) -- the new Comcast Center in Philadelphia:

http://www.phillyskyline.com/bldgs/comcast/comcast_uc1157.jpg

http://phillyskyline.com/bldgs/comcast/index.htm


Thanks Comcast. No HDNet, but cushy executive headquarters. Comcast will have 87% of the space in this building (over 1 million square feet). I feel that I own a corner office or two there, with my bills over the years.

Yes. However, my apartment complex doesn't allow us to have dishes installed.

Within reason, they can't stop you.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Has anyone seen this, or any effects from it?

HDNet And HDNet Movies Announce Affiliation Agreement with Comcast (www.hd.net/pressrelease.html?2008-09-04-01.html)

Yes, some systems have been adding HDNet but removing HDNet Movies.

Within reason, they can't stop you.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.htmlLet's not start this here again. The simple fact is you can only put up a dish if it's on a "common" area, or not against your lease. So if you have a balcony you can probably put one there, etc, etc (but there are lots of restrictions). I can't put one up because I live in a condo and am on the 3rd floor and it's strictly against condo rules to modify the outside of the building in any way.

Should probably let this thread die or be locked. The post you quoted is from: 03-30-07, 02:03 PM