Washington, D.C. (November 13, 2008) -- Comcast today issued a press release saying that South Florida viewers now have 1,000 'HD Choices' -- if you include both high-def channels and Video on Demand selections.
On its face, this is not particularly newsworthy. Comcast has issued similar statements nationwide in an effort to create the perception that it offers more HD content than any other TV provider.
Of course, as you know, I think the claim lacks merit because the 1,000 'HD Choices' represents almost all VOD selections, including even short music videos. In most markets, Comcast offers fewer than 40 actual HD channels (such as HBO HD, Discovery Channel HD, etc.), compared to satcasters DIRECTV and Dish Network which provide roughly 100.
By stressing its lineup of 'choices,' Comcast is trying to fool people into thinking it has as much high-def programming as its rivals. But it simply does not. A short music video or even a two-hour HD VOD movie does not compare to a 24-hour channel.
But the Florida press release goes even further in this effort to manipulate public opinion.
How?
Read this quote from Filemon Lopez, Comcast's regional senior vice president for South Florida, which appears in the second paragraph of the release:
"In January of 2004, we began offering high definition television in South Florida. At that time we offered a total of 12 channels; today, less than 4 years later, we offer more than 1,000 HD OnDemand choices -- five times more than last year!"
By mixing apples and oranges, it makes it sound like Comcast has gone from 12 channels to 1,000 in four years. The casual consumer who doesn't follow this issue very closely would likely be totally fooled, or at least confused enough to think the cable operator's high-def lineup now reaches 1,000.
But the truth is that Comcast offers 37 actual high-def channels in the South Florida area, including local networks. So the cable operator has actually gone from 12 HD channels to 37 HD channels in four years.
And that is pitiful.
Comcast needs to get its act together and start adding some real HD channels -- or it will find it increasingly difficult to add real customers.
Comment on this article!
On its face, this is not particularly newsworthy. Comcast has issued similar statements nationwide in an effort to create the perception that it offers more HD content than any other TV provider.
Of course, as you know, I think the claim lacks merit because the 1,000 'HD Choices' represents almost all VOD selections, including even short music videos. In most markets, Comcast offers fewer than 40 actual HD channels (such as HBO HD, Discovery Channel HD, etc.), compared to satcasters DIRECTV and Dish Network which provide roughly 100.
By stressing its lineup of 'choices,' Comcast is trying to fool people into thinking it has as much high-def programming as its rivals. But it simply does not. A short music video or even a two-hour HD VOD movie does not compare to a 24-hour channel.
But the Florida press release goes even further in this effort to manipulate public opinion.
How?
Read this quote from Filemon Lopez, Comcast's regional senior vice president for South Florida, which appears in the second paragraph of the release:
"In January of 2004, we began offering high definition television in South Florida. At that time we offered a total of 12 channels; today, less than 4 years later, we offer more than 1,000 HD OnDemand choices -- five times more than last year!"
By mixing apples and oranges, it makes it sound like Comcast has gone from 12 channels to 1,000 in four years. The casual consumer who doesn't follow this issue very closely would likely be totally fooled, or at least confused enough to think the cable operator's high-def lineup now reaches 1,000.
But the truth is that Comcast offers 37 actual high-def channels in the South Florida area, including local networks. So the cable operator has actually gone from 12 HD channels to 37 HD channels in four years.
And that is pitiful.
Comcast needs to get its act together and start adding some real HD channels -- or it will find it increasingly difficult to add real customers.
Comment on this article!
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