Washington, D.C. (November 24, 2008) -- Will cable operators say anything to convince people they offer more high-def programming than satellite?
Unfortunately, the answer appears to be yes.
We have reported recently how Comcast is trying to fool Florida subscribers (and other people across the nation) that its HD VOD menu 'choices' represent actual 24-hour high-def channels.
"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!" stated a recent Comcast press release.
Is this a Cox executive talking about high-def channels?
By stressing its lineup of 'choices,' Comcast is trying to fool people into thinking it has as much high-def programming as satcasters DIRECTV and Dish Network, which offer more than 100 high-def channels.
But it simply does not. A short On Demand music video (counts as one HD choice, according to Comcast) or even a two-hour HD VOD movie does not compare to a 24-hour HD channel. And Comcast offers less than 40 actual HD channels in Florida and most major markets.
And now Cox Communications is playing the same game in San Diego.
At Cox's San Diego web site, the cable operator says it has just added 19 High-Definition On Demand channels, bringing its overall HD channel total to 67 channels. (It offered less than 50 real high-def channels before.)
Problem is, many of those 19 On Demand channels, such as Music Choice HD and Dew Action Sports HD, offer short music videos or perhaps just a handful of programs in its HD VOD lineup. Come on, Cox, how can a channel offer just four or five shows during a 24-hour period?
(Even more ballsy, Cox is counting Cinemax, Starz and Showtime HD On Demand menus as three new HD channels, although it's also counting the actual 24-hour versions as three separate HD channels! Whoever does the counting at Cox should immediately apply for a job at AIG.)
An On Demand "channel" does not offer anything close to the variety of high-def programming that's available on a 24-hour HD channel such as Discovery, HDNet, MHD and so on.
By inflating their HD channel count, Cox (and other cable ops) are trying to keep high-def subscribers from jumping ship. But I suspect people will see right through this. If HD owners want more HD channels -- and their cable operator doesn't provide them -- they will switch providers.
Cable ops, high-def viewers want a choice in which high-def channels to watch. But they want a real choice, not 'choices.'
Comment on this article!
Unfortunately, the answer appears to be yes.
We have reported recently how Comcast is trying to fool Florida subscribers (and other people across the nation) that its HD VOD menu 'choices' represent actual 24-hour high-def channels.
"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!" stated a recent Comcast press release.
Is this a Cox executive talking about high-def channels?
By stressing its lineup of 'choices,' Comcast is trying to fool people into thinking it has as much high-def programming as satcasters DIRECTV and Dish Network, which offer more than 100 high-def channels.
But it simply does not. A short On Demand music video (counts as one HD choice, according to Comcast) or even a two-hour HD VOD movie does not compare to a 24-hour HD channel. And Comcast offers less than 40 actual HD channels in Florida and most major markets.
And now Cox Communications is playing the same game in San Diego.
At Cox's San Diego web site, the cable operator says it has just added 19 High-Definition On Demand channels, bringing its overall HD channel total to 67 channels. (It offered less than 50 real high-def channels before.)
Problem is, many of those 19 On Demand channels, such as Music Choice HD and Dew Action Sports HD, offer short music videos or perhaps just a handful of programs in its HD VOD lineup. Come on, Cox, how can a channel offer just four or five shows during a 24-hour period?
(Even more ballsy, Cox is counting Cinemax, Starz and Showtime HD On Demand menus as three new HD channels, although it's also counting the actual 24-hour versions as three separate HD channels! Whoever does the counting at Cox should immediately apply for a job at AIG.)
An On Demand "channel" does not offer anything close to the variety of high-def programming that's available on a 24-hour HD channel such as Discovery, HDNet, MHD and so on.
By inflating their HD channel count, Cox (and other cable ops) are trying to keep high-def subscribers from jumping ship. But I suspect people will see right through this. If HD owners want more HD channels -- and their cable operator doesn't provide them -- they will switch providers.
Cable ops, high-def viewers want a choice in which high-def channels to watch. But they want a real choice, not 'choices.'
Comment on this article!
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