[JCHanifan]

Well, I talked to my rep from DirecTV.... He was happy to see the announcement about DiscoveryHD. He said he thought that it was going to happen. So.... his boss was in and I asked him. He said the announcement caught DirecTV off guard. I asked whether it was going to happen and he said they are working on it. He also told me that the new HDNets were happening as well, just don't know when.


Jason


PS. As you can see I do not have any dates or predictions here! I am just passing on what I heard. SO NO FLAMING!

 

[feldon23]

Discovery HD

June 17, 2002
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=135156

 

[JCHanifan]

Yeah that is the reason I asked. Since it "caught them off guard" will we get it on 6/17? I hope so!!


J

 

[ahintz]

Jason,


I for one thank you for passing on what you hear. We all know that what reps say and what is reality don't always agree, but since few of us have access to anyone besides the clueless CSRs and automated email responder at DirecTV, it is nice to hear some news from people at DirecTV who have at least some idea of what is goin on. Thanks again!


--Andrew

 

[jacmyoung]

J, your information is always appreciated. It actually confirms some of our suspicions after the Discovery's press release. I haven't found anyone outside of Discovery immediate circle that was not "caught off guard" at the time. Heck Discovery themselves seemed surprised. The question is how they react to the news.


We now know both Dishnetwork and DirecTV are "working on it."

 

[feldon23]

DirecTV has had TiVos for over a year. They're still "caught off guard" when you mention it on the phone for them to activate one.

 

[JCHanifan]

feldon,


Isn't that the truth! I have actually been lucky with the CSRs. I will keep on pressing them! Looks like we have about 46 days or so until we see!


J

 

[David McRoy]

As a sidebar:


The latest print issue of Broadcasting & Cable has a feature on the top 25 satellite and cable MSOs (mulltiple system operators...like Comcast/AT&T, DirecTV, etc.) and there is a multi-page ad from Discovery, including one full page touting the debut of Discovery HD Theater ("A Window On Your World."). This ad is intended for consumption by cable and DBS executives, so at least they're actively seeking carriage.

 

[Kipp Jones]

J,

now if we could just get everyone here who "finds out information from an inside source" to follow the way you started this thread, it would be great.

 

[aviators99]

Quote:

Originally posted by kippjones J, now if we could just get everyone here who "finds out information from an inside source" to follow the way you started this thread, it would be great.

Yes, I agree. Thanks for posting the source, and giving hints as to their reliability. I take back what I said about you in the past.

 

[DTC mac]

WOW I must be dense! I can't imagine how directTV could be caught off guard that DiscoveryHD was coming online, after all prior to HDNet being on 199 the DHD promo loop was on 199 for over a year. Do they not even watch their own promo loops? Granted DHD was not a done deal at discovery networks until recently, but come on direct, bang some rocks trogether eh!

 

[Blitzburgh]

Ok...so if it's going to be on DirecTV...has there been a channel assignment as of yet?

 

[Benji]

First of all DIRECTV has to enter into discussions with Discovery (could take a couple of years if ShowtimeHD is any indication) then they have to send satellite D into orbit, make a satellite D kit and make a new eliptical 4-sat dish that we can install the D kit on. JC: Any word on when D kits will be available?

 

[MikeKO]

I hate to be critical of someone that is coming out with HD material, but wasn't Discovery asleep at the switch here? What is the purpose of announcing something like this BEFORE you have discussions with the potential carriers? I reall just don't get it.


Mike

 

[DP1]

Why Mike? What do they have to lose. It makes them look good for offering it in this "lets get the ball rolling on HDTV" atmosphere and puts the onus on delivering it to the multi channel providers. Nobody will hold it against Discovery themselves if we dont get to see it, will they?

 

[MikeKO]

Dan,


OK, I follow your reasoning, and yes, that could be an explanation, but that line of reasoning seems somewhat dubious at best. I don't have a better explanation though, so maybe you're right. It would seem to preclude the FCC jumping up and down on Discovery, but I wouldn't think that would happen anyway. Doesn't really matter I guess.


Mike

 

[jacmyoung]

Apparently Discovery Board Room Guys have decided to jump on the Chairman P's train before it leaves the station. The five major HD networks quota will not be around for too long if they wait. Unlike HDNet, which has sports contracts issues, Discovery HD can talk to any carriers as long as they do not ask too much.

 

[Don Landis]

We all know DTV and E* will be carrying it. The real question is when?


I'm certain Charlie will make it happen immediately. Question is, if the lawyers at DirecTV can make a decision before they are merged into E* and we get it anyway from a Charlie decision. I happen to know that the RF group in CR Co. can make it happen in 30 minutes once they get the go ahead from the idiots in the legal dept. I understand it takes them that long to set up the programming to bring on a new channel like this.

 

[R11]

I agree with Dan and also think there is additional reasoning behind the early announcement. Discovery is apparently in negotiations with the different delivery channels to carry HD Theater as we speak. What better leverage tool to use in negotiations than to get a bunch of HD starved TV freaks like us to start sending a bunch of emails in requesting carriage of the new channel?


ron

 

[DP1]

Well heck, I dont know that Discovery would even want much if any compensation for this channel at the outset above what it already gets from the providers for the whole Discovery suite.


I mean obviously channels usually want compensation inline with demand. Probably why I read recently that ESPN charges the most per subscriber of any cable channel. .72 per month and rising.


Certainly a particular channel like Discovery HD cant base anything on would be subscriber demand, because in reality as channels go, this one inherently will have a darn small number of viewers. 98% of the cable and sat subs wont be able to tune to it even if they wanted to.


Arent the HD channels from HBO and Showtime more or less throw in's by those 2 at this point? I dont think Dish or D* is paying them extra above what they're paying em for every sub that has the full blown packages, to be able to show those to their HD capable viewers.