DIRECTV & HD: Here We Go Again?
The satcaster may be eying Wednesday as the kickoff for its high-def expansion.
By Swanni
But haven't we heard that before?
The satcaster, which says it will begin adding high-def channels this month until it reaches 70 in October, was set to begin the rollout last Wednesday.
But sources say that DIRECTV ran into a technical glitch, causing it to put the expansion in a holding pattern.
However, there's evidence that DIRECTV is back on track and is now targeting tomorrow as the big day. For instance:
* Since early Sunday morning, the satcaster has been periodically testing some of the new HD channels on channels 9300 and 9301.
* The Smithsonian Institute's new high-def channel, Smithsonian HD, issued a press release on Monday saying DIRECTV would begin offering it on Wednesday, September 26. The channel is expected to be part of DIRECTV's initial rollout of new HD networks.
* DIRECTV's customer service reps have been telling callers that tomorrow is the big day. Of course, they also said last Wednesday was supposed to be the big day.
* DIRECTV still maintains that it will begin adding HDTV channels in September. Well, the month has just five days left so the rollout will have to begin sometime this week if the satcaster keeps its word.
Despite the evidence, however, DIRECTV high-def subscribers have come to learn that anything can happen. So, stay tuned.
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Swanni (Phillip Swann) is
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