News
Cox: We Have 100 HD Channels
(Well, Sort Of)
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 20,
2011) -- Cox yesterday announced
that it was adding 62 new High-Definition channels in the
Hampton Roads, Virginia market, bringing its total there to 103
HD channels.
However, the Cox press release only names 17 new high-def
channels, a group that includes BBC America HD, OWN HD, Turner
Classic Movies HD and Nat Geo Wild HD.
What about the other 45 HD channels that supposedly brings the
Cox total to more than 100 HD channels? Well, we asked Cox
spokeswoman Felicia Blow who informed us that the additional 45
HD channels are Music Choice channels.
The problem with that?
Music Choice, a digital music service, doesn't have 45 HD
channels; the music service offers 45 channels that feature
audio playbacks of popular songs accompanied by still images of
the album from which the song comes. But apparently Cox is
counting the 45 audio channels as HD channels because their
still images offer a better resolution than in previous Music
Choice channels.
Now you might say that Cox is trying to pull a fast one here.
And the fact that the cable operator doesn't even mention the 45
Music Choice "HD channels" in its press release does make you
wonder what they're trying to hide.
This is not the first time that Cox has used the Music Choice
channels to claim it offers more than 100 HD channels in a
specific market. Last April, the cable operator issued a press
release saying that it was now offering more than 100
High-Definition channels in Louisiana, including New Orleans,
Baton Rouge and Acadiana. However, to surpass the 100 mark in
Louisiana, Cox said it added 46 "High-Definition" Music Choice
channels.
Interestingly, in the April press release, Cox noted that the
Louisiana HD additions included the Music Choice channels. In
yesterday's release, Cox did not mention the Music Choice
channels.
Coincidence? You decide.
Finally, why would Cox use the Music Choice channels to pad its
HD channel count? Cox's rivals, the satellite TV services and
the telco TV services, legitimately have more than 100 HD
channels -- real channels, not audio channels with sharper still
images of musicians. By saying it has 100 HD channels -- even if
they really don't -- Cox might hope to reduce their rivals'
competitive advantage.
