DIRECTV HD Launch Set For September 19?
Purported internal document is posted at web site.
By Swanni
Scott Greczkowski, who runs the web site, says the document was posted anonymously by a member of the site's Readers Forum.
While the document's validity has not been confirmed, Greczkowski says DIRECTV's attorneys have asked him to remove it.
DIRECTV is scheduled to expand its high-def lineup from 10 channels to 70 channels by month's end.
Eric Shanks, DIRECTV's executive vice president of entertainment, told TVPredictions.com on August 28 that the expansion would be "real close" to September 16 when the satcaster will hold a Hollywood party on the night of the 2007 Emmy Awards.
Dated September 6, 2007, the document posted at SatelliteGuys features a page under the header, "DIRECTV HD Extra Pack," which describes new programming packages for the high-def channels.
The page states: "New satellite launch (September 19)."
The document then explains that DIRECTV's new "simulcast" HD channels, such as CNN HD and TBS HD, will be included in the subscriber's "relevant" base programming package, such as Choice and Total Choice.
The document then adds that "unique HD services" -- HDNet, HDNet Movies, Universal HD, MHD, MGM HD and Smithsonian HD -- will be "grandfathered" for existing customers with "legacy HD equipment." (The unique HD services are channels that don't have companion standard-definition feeds.)
But it also says new customers and "remaining legacy customers" will be charged a separate monthly fee of $4.99 for the "unique HD services." It's unclear which customers would count as "remaining legacy customers" and would be required to pay the extra monthly fee.
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