The Godfather: Best Blu-ray Disc?
The crime classic wins 'Best of Show' at yesterday's awards luncheon.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 12, 2008) -- What's the best Blu-ray high-def disc on the market?
According to the judges of the second annual High-Def Disc Awards, the answer is: The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Collection.
The boxed set, which includes all three Godfather movies on Blu-ray disc, was named 'Best of Show' and 'Best Catalog Title' at an awards luncheon held yesterday at the HD-3 conference in Los Angeles.
The High-Def Disc Awards, which are co-sponsored by Home Media Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter, named Iron Man as the best theatrical Blu-ray title for the year while Transformers won for best audio quality.
Home Media Magazine reports that a panel of critics picked the winners from Blu-ray titles released between Oct. 1, 2007, and Sept. 30, 2008.
Disney's Ratatouille won for best picture quality and best animated title while Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End won for 'Best Bonus Feature.'
Here are some other awards announced yesterday, according to Home Media Magazine:
Best Overall Extras: Heroes: Season 2
Best Use of BD Live: Men in Black
Best Collection/Multidisc Set: Harry Potter: Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set,
Best Nontheatrical Blu-ray: Stargate: Continuum,
Best Nonfiction Blu-ray: Step Into Liquid
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Time Warner to Expand HD In Manhattan
The cable operator looks to compete with telco Verizon,
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2008) -- Time Warner next month will dramatically expand its high-def lineup in Manhattan and other parts of New York, adding dozens of new channels.
The cable operator promised last spring that its local systems in New York would carry 100 High-Definition channels by year's end. In recent weeks, Time Warner has added several HD channels in New York areas such as Queens, Brooklyn and Mt. Vernon.
However, according to the Time Warner web site, the cable system will significantly boost its HD lineup in Manhattan next month as well, adding dozens of new HD channels on one day.
The additions will enable Time Warner to more effectively compete with telco Verizon which has already expanded its New York HD lineup to 100 channels.
On December 17, Time Warner will add NBA TV HD, Team HD and change Versus/Golf HD to Versus HD in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Mt. Vernon.
On the same day in northern Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, Time Warner subs will get Golf HD (formerly part of Versus/Golf HD), Crime and Investigation HD, Africa Channel HD, TV One HD, G4HD, MGM HD, Chiller HD, Sleuth HD, Style HD, Fuse HD, Nick HD, Lifetime HD, CNBC HD, USA HD, SciFi HD, Bravo HD, E! HD, QVC HD, Spike HD and HSN HD.
In just northern Manhattan on December 17, the cable operator will launch Tennis HD, the Big Ten Network HD, HBO2 HD, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, , HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, HBO Latino HD, More Max HD, Action Max HD, Thriller Max HD, WMAX HD, @MAX HD, FiveStar Max, Outer Max HD, Sho 2 HD, Showcase HD, Sho Extreme HD, TMC HD, TMC Xtra HD, Starz Edge HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Comedy HD
In addition, northern Manhattan subs will get Encore HD, NY1 HD, Palladia HD, Cartoon HD, FX HD, ABC Family HD on 738, History HD on 740, Fox Business News HD on 743, Fox News HD on 744, A&E HD on 746, Disney HD on 749, Learning Channel HD on 752, Toon Disney HD on 760, Lifetime Movie Network HD on 762, Biography HD on 763, Discovery HD on 766, Planet Green HD on 768, Weather Channel HD on 772, Speed HD on 774, Science Channel HD on 775, Travel Channel HD on 788, ESPN News HD on 792, ESPN U HD on 793, and Game HD.
In Mt. Vernon on December 17, Time Warner subs will get Crime & Investigation HD on 686, G4HD on 692, Golf HD on 779, Africa Channel HD on 787, TV One HD on 790, MGM HD on 796, Chiller HD on 684, Sleuth HD on 685, Style HD on 689, Fuse HD on 691, QVC HD on 724, CNBC HD on 733, Spike HD on 734, Nick HD on 739, E! HD on 741, USA HD on 742, Lifetime HD on 743, SciFi HD on 744, Bravo HD on 746, and HSN HD on 772.
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FCC Chief: NASCAR Crash Good For Digital TV
Kevin Martin says more Americans watched the accident.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2008) -- For the second straight time, a FCC-sponsored NASCAR auto, designed to promote next year's Digital TV transition, has been involved in an accident.
But FCC Chairman Kevin Martin says that's a good thing.
"Except for the cars that win the races, the cars that are in wrecks get a lot of attention," Martin told reporters Monday, according to Reuters.
Martin and the FCC have been under fire for spending $350,000 to sponsor the car which promotes a web site (DTV.gov) notifying Americans about the digital transition which takes place on February 17, 2009.
The FCC's NASCAR car goes up in flames.
The Wall Street Journal reports that watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste awarded Martin its October "Porker of the Month' trophy for “using taxpayer funds on an unnecessary project, diverting focus from more important telecommunications concerns, recklessly spending without consulting with his peers, and attempting to use his influence to shore up his own political prospects.”
Martin, who is from North Carolina and reportedly has plans to run for office there someday, chose the car driven by fellow North Carolinian David Gilliland as the FCC-sponsored vehicle. The CAG said Martin picked his home state's driver for political reasons. (The FCC chairman also chose Wilmington, North Carolina as the first test site for the nation's switch to digital.)
Martin has defended the appropriation, saying that the promotion will reach more Americans who are unaware of next February's switch to digital.
But on Sunday, a nine-car accident during a NASCAR race in Arizona caused the FCC-sponsored vehicle to be towed off the track before it could complete the race. The car also crashed last month during a race in Virginia.
In related news, Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen said yesterday that he thinks it's likely that the federal government will be forced to delay the digital transition because of a lack of preparedness.
"I've been going to Washington for a long time now and I think if the new administration comes in and if they see that consumers -- that the transition is not ready and that consumers could lose their signal -- Congress is going to go out to protect consumers (and delay the transition date.)," Ergen said.
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Dish Network Speaks Out On HD, Sub Loss
The satcaster reports a loss of 10,000 net subscribers in the third quarter.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2008) -- Dish Network yesterday reported that it loss net subscribers for the second straight quarter, sending company shares down nearly 15 percent on Monday.
In its third quarter financial report, Dish said it lost 10,000 net subscribers. The nation's second leading satcaster reported that it loss 25,000 net subscribers in the second quarter.
Dish now has 13.8 million subscribers, compared to 17 million for satellite rival DIRECTV.
Dish CEO Ergen.
In a conference call yesterday with Wall Street analysts, Dish CEO Charlie Ergen addressed several issues including the subscriber loss, the company's High-Definition offering and the ongoing legal battle with DVR maker TiVo.
Ergen on Why Dish Lost Customers:
"In today's environment...,obviously people are shopping for deals and customers are flipping around. They have a variety of choices. So we have to be a little bit careful about that. I think at some point in time you have to be willing to tread a little bit of water, based on the marketplace that's out there.
"There also is the other side of the market where people are going to downscale a little bit. So McDonald's is having really good numbers...because people can save money. So there is certainly a flight to saving money by consumers and we have to take that into consideration."
Editor's Note: (AT&T, which sells satellite TV service in areas in which it does offer its own U-Verse service, decided this year to drop Dish and sign up DIRECTV as its satellite partner.)
Ergen On Whether AT&T Partnered With DIRECTV Because Of HDTV:
(Editor's Note: AT&T, which sells satellite TV service in areas in which it does offer its own U-Verse service, decided this year to drop Dish and sign up DIRECTV as its satellite partner; some have suggested that AT&T favored DIRECTV because it offers more HD channels than Dish.)
"I don't think HD channels would have been a factor. Obviously, not only do we have materially the same amount of channels, I think we have with the next satellite launch capacity to be a leader there. So, I don't think that would be it. Obviously we had the power of incumbency, so there has to do other motivations to make a change and you would really have to just ask AT&T those questions."
Ergen on Dish's Next HD Satellite Launch:
"Hopefully, that satellite is going to go up before the end of the year and be operational early next year. So that's kind of the final launch for us to have a complete system up there and make sure we are competitive from a local-local basis both in standard definition and High Definition television, and competitive from a total channel count in terms of number of channels and number of High-Definition channels."
Ergen on Dish's New Turbo HD Package:
(Editor's Note: Dish this year began selling an HD-only programming package called Turbo HD, starting at $24.99 a month.)
"TurboHD...got us back in the HD game (and) has been successful. Obviously with the launch failure earlier in the year, we didn't have the channel count to be competitive in the marketplace. But we do today and so I think...that puts us the back in the HD game. We really weren't in the game previously. So that's a good thing."
Ergen on the TiVo Lawsuit:
(Editor's Note: Dish recently paid $100 million in damages to DVR maker TiVo for patent infringement. However, the companies are still battling over other aspects of the case.)
"As I've said in previous quarters, regardless of the ruling, we think there's things that TiVo have that we could do together but...obviously this ruling would affect somebody's position in those negotiations, let's put it that way, good or bad."
Ergen on the Digital TV Transition:
"Well, I've been going to Washington for a long time now and I think if the new administration comes in and if they see that consumers -- that the transition is not ready and that consumers could lose their signal -- Congress is going to go out to protect consumers (and delay the transition date.)
"I mean that's their job, right? And I think, look, we are ready. I hope that it's not delayed. But it won't take too many phone calls. I would do the transition a little differently. I think to do the whole country at one time is difficult. But it's more difficult than it has to be but I wouldn't be surprised (that it's delayed). I'm not betting one way or the other."
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Verizon FiOS to Carry Baseball's Extra Innings
The telco will also carry MLB's new high-def baseball channel.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 10, 2008) -- Verizon's FiOS TV service has signed an agreement with Major League Baseball to offer its MLB Extra Innings Package starting next season.
Additionally, Verizon has agreed to carry the MLB Network channel, which will launch in high-def and standard-def on January 1. The telco will carry both versions, which will be available in Verizon's Essentials and Extreme HD packages.
MLB Network, which will carry live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, is expected to be available in 50 million homes at launch, the league said.
Verizon said it will carry up to 80 'out-of-market' baseball games via the Extra Innings package, but the telco did not reveal in today's announcement whether it will carry the package's HD games. The company and league also did not offer pricing information for the 2009 season.
However, the deal ends a year-long confusion over whether Verizon would carry the popular pay package of baseball games. The telco hinted in early 2008 that it would carry the package during the 2008 season, but never did add it, generating protests from angry baseball fans.
FiOS TV is currently available to more than 8.2 million homes in 14 states: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
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Vudu: Now More Than 1,100 HD Movies
The set-top costs $299.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 10, 2008) -- Vudu, the VOD set-top service, now has more than 1,100 movies available in High-Definition, which it says exceeds the number of HD titles available from any other TV provider.
The Vudu set-top, which starts at $299, enables users to download movies over a high-speed Internet connection. The box, which can also store movies, includes both standard-def and HDTV films.
However, Vudu has struggled to generate interest due to competition from traditional TV services such as cable and satellite and a general 'set-top' fatigue among Americans. (In Amazon's list of best-selling electronics products, the Vudu set-top is now ranked just 15,107. By comparison, an Apple TV with 40GB hard drive is ranked #887 while an Apple TV with a 160GB hard drive is ranked #488. LG Electronics' set-top, which includes Netflix's movie service, is ranked #348.)
But Vudu hopes that the expanded HD library of films will appeal to high-def enthusiasts still hungry for more content. (Vudu offers nearly 10,000 standard-def titles as well as the high-def films.)
“We’re certainly proud to offer the largest HD library on the planet but the motivation to accomplish this really sprang from our customers, retail partners and Home Theater installation professionals, all of whom were asking for more HD content,” Edward Lichty, Vudu's executive vice president, said in a company statement.
Vudu and Best Buy are now bundling a $200 movie credit with the $299 set-top at retail.
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DIRECTV: Sub Growth Falls 35 Percent
The satcaster blames partnership gap with AT&T for loss.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 7, 2008) -- DIRECTV said yesterday that its third quarter subscriber growth fell 35 percent compared to a year ago.
In releasing its third quarter financial results, the satcaster said it added 156,000 subscribers compared to 240,000 in last year's third quarter. DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey blamed the drop-off in the discontinuation of a marketing partnership with telco AT&T. (See Swanni's commentary below.)
AT&T last year only began offering Dish Network in areas in which it does not provide its own U-Verse TV service. Previously, it offered either satellite TV service in service bundles. However, AT&T recently decided to switch back to DIRECTV as its sole third-party provider starting late this year.
"Quite simply, it’s taken us longer than we expected to mitigate the end of our AT&T bundling relationship in that area," DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey said during a conference call yesterday with Wall Street analysts. "Excluding the (AT&T) region, our net-sub growth was actually up a touch year on year."
In other issues, DIRECTV said eight million of its 17 million subscribers now get either High-Definition and/or DVR service. The company claimed it added nearly twice as many HD and DVR subscribers in the third quarter than Comcast did.
Comcast said last month that 7.3 million of its customers subscribed to High-Definition and/or Digital Video Recording packages at the end of the third quarter. (Unlike some cable and satellite providers, Comcast and DIRECTV does not break down how many subscribers have High-Definition TV and how many have Digital Video Recorders. They include both in the same category.)
Patrick Doyle, DIRECTV'S chief financial officer, said HD/DVR subscribers pay an average of $100 per month in fees.
DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey acknowledged that satellite rival Dish Network and some cable operators have improved their high-def lineups. However, he maintained that DIRECTV, which says it now offers more than 130 HD channels, is still the high-def leader.
"I'd say the cable guys and DISH have (beefed) up their HD," Carey said. "Although I think sometimes what they market and say they are doing is way ahead of what they are really doing. But in terms of impact on us, we feel great about our position in HD. I think one of the great things about establishing a position of leadership that really associates your brand with that leadership position is that those are strengths you can drive for a while, particularly if you keep finding ways to energize that position. I've said before and continue to believe, I think our position in HD leadership is one that can benefit us not for months or quarters but for years."
Carey also acknowledged that the U.S. economic slump will be a challenge in the months ahead.
"We are in a tough economy, and a competitive environment, and that is putting more pressure in a few areas like churn out and retention spending," Carey said. "Overall, I would say the impact is marginal. The strength of our business is really continuing to enable us to reach our key targets."
Commentary:
I don't doubt that DIRECTV's temporary break-up with AT&T contributed to the third quarter subscriber loss. But there is a bigger reason for why DIRECTV lost subscribers in this year's third quarter:
HDTV.
In last year's third quarter, DIRECTV ran a multi-million dollar marketing blitz alerting Americans that it was adding dozens of new High-Definition channels -- more than any other TV provider. Consequently, thousands of new people signed up for the service.
However, DIRECTV's national HD expansion has slowed to a crawl this year with the satcaster adding just a handful of new high-def channels in recent months. Consequently, DIRECTV's HD buzz has quieted, which led to fewer new subscribers signing up during this year's third quarter (and likely during this year's fourth quarter.)
When DIRECTV starts adding national high-def channels again, it will see the company's subscription numbers going up again, too.
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The FCC Probes Cable's Price Hike -- Again
The agency's chief once again blasts cable for raising monthly rates.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2008) -- The Federal Communications Commission has launched an investigation into whether cable companies are raising monthly prices prior to next year's Digital TV transition.
Comcast, Cablevision and other cable services have announced recently that they are raising their monthly rates by roughly 3-5 percent.
In a statement, the FCC said yesterday that it has received complaints that the cable operators are hiking monthly fees now, anticipating that many Americans will subscribe to cable in the next few months so they can continue watching television.
On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local stations must switch their analog signals to digital which means viewers will need a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV subscription to watch television.
While FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is now citing the Digital TV transition as a reason for cable raising rates, the agency chief has annually criticized the cable industry for fee increases, although satellite services impose the same annual rate hikes. (The FCC did alert telco Verizon that it would be included in the probe of cable services.)
Over the years, Martin has threatened cable with various sanctions and probes, but has yet to take action to actually stop the increases.
The FCC chief yesterday said his agency will also look into why cable services are moving some channels into more expensive digital programming packages.
"We are asking why some companies have taken steps to require customers to pay higher cable prices after the digital switch for the same channels that they received through analog signals previously," Martin said, according to the Associated Press.
Cable operators say that the timing of the monthly pay increases is not tied to the digital transition and simply reflect the companies' need to raise rates annually to keep up with rising infrastructure costs.
As for switching channels to more expensive digital packages, cable operators say it will create more room for new services, such as High-Definition channels.
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Will Blu-ray Companies Ever Learn?
New $25 million ad campaign will feature the high-def disc's interactive features as well as its great picture.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2008) -- The Digital Entertainment Group, a trade group consisting of studios and hardware companies, has launched a $25 million ad campaign to drive Blu-ray sales this holiday season.
That's according to Home Media Magazine.
The campaign, which debuted on Sunday during Fox's NFL broadcasts, focuses on Blu-ray's superior picture and sound.
But the ads, which will also appear during shows such The Office, House and Grey's Anatomy, encourages viewers to visit watchblu.com to learn more about the latest interactive features available on Blu-ray high-def discs.
Later model Blu-ray players can display such interactive features as Picture-in-Picture and enable Net-based downloads of movie-related items such as games, ringtones and trailers.
Home Media reports that DEG estimates that Americans will purchase 2.4 million standalone Blu-ray players this year, bringing its standalone total to 8 million. (The number does not include sales of the Play Station 3, which also has a Blu-ray player inside.)
Additionally, Blu-ray movies now represent 10 percent of all home video sales, the group said.
The ad campaign is being supported by such studios as Sony, Disney, Universal and Warner Home Video as well as Blu-ray hardware manufacturers such as Panasonic.
Commentary:
Once again, studios and hardware companies backing Blu-ray are blowing a terrific opportunity to reach the American consumer. The ad campaign should focus on two things -- and two things only:
1. Blu-ray's high-def picture and sound is the best in the world, better than cable and satellite, better than anything.
2. Blu-ray players are now available at retail stores for as low as $199.
That is a winning campaign.
Why?
The Blu-ray companies say they are targeting the high-def set owner. So why did the HDTV owner buy his set in the first place?
To get the best picture on the market!
They didn't buy it to get the best interactive features on the market.
Tell those millions of HDTV owners that Blu-ray has the world's best picture -- and it's now available for near-DVD prices -- and you can't miss.
But no, the studios can't help themselves by crowding in yet another message about Blu-ray's interactive features, which most Americans have shown no interest in.
When will these companies ever learn?
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CNN Uses HD Cameras For 'Star Wars' Hologram
The news network introduced the feature during last night's election coverage.
By Swanni
CNN last night used 35 High-Definition cameras to create a hologram of correspondent Jessica Yellin in the network's New York studio although she was actually in Chicago covering President Elect Barack Obama.
The effect, which CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer called a television first, appeared to show Yellin standing several feet across from Blitzer in front of CNN's election video scoreboard in New York.
Yellin, who said she was actually standing in a tent in Chicago, said CNN was focusing 35 high-def cameras on her to create the hologram. While her image shimmered a bit and was not as sharp as the surrounding HD picture of CNN's New York studio, it did create the perception that the Yellin was in New York with Blitzer.
Yellin said she felt like Princess Leia in the first Star Wars movie, which featured holographic images of the characters.
Blitzer said he liked the effect because he could interview Yellin from a location shot in Chicago without having to look at anyone else in the picture.
It's unclear if CNN plans to use the feature again.
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Panasonic's BD Live Player: $299
The company surprises by launching for $100 less than expected.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 4, 2008) -- Panasonic is now selling a 'BD Live' Blu-ray player for $299, making it the least expensive Blu-ray player to offer full interactivity out of the box.
The set-top, model DMP-BD35, was expected to launch at $399, but several retailers are now selling it for $299. Amazon.com today has the Panasonic player priced at $271.
Until now, the lowest priced Blu-ray player to offer BD Live without a firmware upgrade was $399, which included the Sony PlayStation 3 as well as a standalone model from Samsung.
(BD Live enables viewers to download movie trailers, ringtones, games and other movie-related features. Unlike some Blu-ray players that offer BD Live, the Panasonic set-top does not require a firmware upgrade to activate the feature.)
Panasonic's decision to sell the DMP-BD35 at $299 is more evidence that Blu-ray set-top prices will fall dramatically during the holiday season, with some older models perhaps coming close to the $99 mark.
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Roku: Netflix In HD By Year's End
The company says a software update will add 720p HD quality.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 4, 2008) -- Roku, the $99 set-top that that can deliver Netflix movies streamed from the Internet to your TV screen, says it will offer high-def programs by year's end.
The company made the disclosure yesterday at a Roku online readers forum following news that Microsoft's XBox 360 is now offering Netflix in high-def.
The 5"-by-5" Roku set-top can connect to the TV via an Ethernet port through a variety of connections including HDMI, component video or even S-Video. The box also can be connected wirelessly to the Net using a Wi-Fi feature. However, as of now, the Netflix 'Net TV' service only includes standard-def titles.
A Roku administrator said at the readers forum that the HD upgrade will come later this year in a software update. But he added that the Netflix movies will play at a lower bit-rate than on the XBox, meaning the picture quality will not be as good.
That's not good news for high-def purists who have already judged the XBox picture quality as sub-par to the Blu-ray high-def disc.
However, the addition of high-def video to Netflix services on Roku and the XBox likely means that Netflix will also soon be available in HD on TiVo boxes as well as other set-tops the company will partner in.
This should allow Netflix to compete more effectively with Apple TV and Vudu in the Net TV category; both Apple TV and Vudu offer high-def programs.
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TV Makers May Need to Slash Holiday Prices
The sagging economy could keep shoppers at home.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (November 3, 2008) -- CE retailers and TV makers will likely have to dramatically cut set prices this holiday season to drive uncertain consumers into stores.
That's according to an article by the New York Times.
The global economic slump could force companies in categories from cars to clothing to slash prices during the next few months. Consumers are nervous that their jobs and economic futures will be jeopardized by a deep recession.
The Times reports that research firm DisplaySearch says the TV sector could see prices cut as low as $400 for a 32-inch LCD HDTV and $600 for a 42-inch Plasma set prior to Black Friday, the traditional opening of the shopping season.
Stan Glasgow, president of Sony Electronics, told The Times that his company won't match those numbers. But he added that they "do not shock me."
DisplaySearch says that the CE industry may already be experiencing a slowdown in sales due to worsening economic conditions. The company told The Times that LCD sales increased 22 percent in September, but that was less than the 28 percent increase reported in August and the 32 percent jump in July.
"People are afraid to spend money," said Stephen Baker, vice president for industry analysis at the NPD Group, which owns DisplaySearch.
Baker added that he does not expect Blu-ray players to fall much lower than $250 this holiday season.
“There is not enough demand for Blu-ray to grow its installed base. Look to Christmas 2009 for aggressive pricing," he said.
Despite Baker's comments, however, many retailers are already selling Blu-ray players for under $200.
Not everyone is buying the sour talk. For instance, Bob Perry, Panasonic’s senior vice president for marketing, told The Times that "we’ve been through wars and national calamities. I just don’t see sales dropping off.”
Some industry officials echo a view offered here at TVPredictions.com on October 20 -- consumers won't stop buying TVs, but they will seek out smaller sets with smaller price tags.
“The momentum was heading toward the 42-inch size, but now that’s off track. That size is the aspirational sweet spot,” one industry official told The Times.
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Commentary
Blu-ray Owner to Netflix: Clean Up Your Act!
The movie rental business is charging me $1 per month for Blu-ray rentals, but I'm not getting better service for my money.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 30, 2008) -- I now pay $18 a month for my Netflix subscription, which allows me to have three different discs out at the same time.
Netflix recently raised my bill $1 a month because I rent Blu-ray high-def movies as part of my service. So, you would think that for $18 a month, including the $1 surcharge for Blu-ray, I would have no problem renting the latest Blu-ray releases anytime I want. Right?
Wrong!
Since Netflix instituted the $1 a month fee, I would estimate that at least 50 percent of my Blu-ray picks were listed in my 'Queue' as either 'Long Wait' or 'Very Long Wait' when they were first released.
For instance, I couldn't get the Blu-ray edition of Iron Man for two weeks after it was first available. The cult film Dark City sat in my Queue for three weeks before it was available. And last Tuesday, The Incredible Hulk was labeled "Long Wait" immediately upon release and it's still not available this morning.
So, what am I getting for my extra dollar, Netflix?
Frustrated. That's what I'm getting.
Netflix estimates that roughly 500,000 of its subscribers are Blu-ray renters. That means that Netflix will start pulling in around $500,000 a month in extra fees thanks to the Blu-ray audience.
You would think that the company would use some of that money to purchase more discs so they would be available upon release.
But I see no evidence of it, which makes me wonder if it's simply going straight to Netflix's bottom line.
Well, Netflix, guess what? You have 30 days to prove me wrong and get your act together. On December 1, if Netflix's Blu-ray service has not improved -- and I mean dramatically improved -- I will write another commentary here urging everyone to dump Netflix and find another source for your Blu-ray rentals.
Netflix, the ball is in your queue.
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Verizon FiOS to Add NHL Center Ice In HD
The telco will also add the NHL Network.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 29, 2008) -- Verizon's FiOS TV service says it will add both the NHL Center Ice pay package and NHL Network in High-Definition in the coming days.
The NHL Center Ice package includes up to 40 out-of-market games each week and select games from the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Verizon says it will broadcast every NHL Center Ice game in high-def that the package offers in HD.
The Center Ice package costs $169 for the entire season.
Additionally, Verizon says it will add the NHL Network, which airs 75 live regular-season games in high-def.
"There's no better way to experience sports than on FiOS TV, and there's no better way to catch NHL action than with NHL Center Ice and NHL Network," said Terry Denson, vice president of FiOS TV content and programming. "The unrivaled, stunning picture-and-sound quality that FiOS TV delivers will make fans feel like they're in a rink-side seat."
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PTV Attacks CBS' Survivor For 'Indecent' HD Display
The watchdog group says the network purposely showed a male's private parts.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2008) -- The Parents Television Council has filed a complaint with the FCC that charges CBS with purposely displaying contestant Marcus Lehman's genitals during the High-Definition debut of Survivor.
That's according to an article by Townhall.com.
The PTC, a non-partisan watchdog group founded by conservative activist Brent Bozell, charges that the network featured a scene in the September 25th season debut of Survivor that shows a contestant's genitals falling out of his shorts as he ran.
The group says that it was impossible for CBS not to have caught the visual gaffe because the show was displayed for the first time in high-def. Additionally, the PTC suggests that CBS knew about the slip-up, but ran it anyway.
"The irony surrounding this broadcast is it was the first-ever High Definition broadcast for CBS of this show in primetime," PTC President Tim Winter said in a press release. "So what more tongue-in-cheek action could you take if a High-Definition show is going to premier than to have something like this happen?"
TownHall.com reports that the FCC has yet to act on the PTC's Survivor complaint or several other complaints filed by the group regarding language and visual displays on other network programs such as NBC's My Name Is Earl and ABC's Good Morning America.
There was no comment from CBS in the article.
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Mitsubishi's Laser TV Now Available In Stores
The 65-inch set will cost $6,999.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2008) -- Mitsubishi today announced that the world's first Laser TV, a 65-inch model, is now available at select retail stores for $6,999.
Mitsubishi, which is billing the set as 'LaserVue,' said it will revolutionize the high-def industry by offering crisper pictures and more vivid colors. The television, which uses a laser light engine to display images, will consume one-third of the power of a Plasma HDTV.
"LaserVue not only delivers two times the color of many of today's HDTVs, but it also uses exponentially less power than LCD and plasma TVs," the company says in a press release.
While the release says the set is now being sold at "select specialty stores nationwide," it does not name the stores. In earlier statements, Mitsubishi said the set would likely be available in "A/V specialty stores" such as Frey's Electronics and Ken Cranes.
Crutchfield.com is now selling 'pre-orders" of the set at the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
"With operating power at approximately 135W, LaserVue is environmentally friendly, consuming approximately one-third the power of today's LCD TVs, and one-fourth of plasma TVs. Living in today's green-conscious environment, consumers can enjoy this color-brilliant, ground-breaking home entertainment product while being mindful of energy consumption at the same time," added Frank DeMartin, vice president of marketing for Mitsubishi.
The company says LaserVue's technology is unprecedented because its laser beams provide "an extensive range of rich, complex colors, along with truly distinct clarity and immersive depth of field."
The LaserVue set, which is 10 inches thin, is also equipped with 3D-ready capabilities.
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AT&T U-Verse to Add 30 HD Channels
The additions will give the telco a total of 75 high-def channels.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 27, 2008) -- AT&T announced today that it will add up to 30 new high-def channels next week at no additional charge to customers' current HD service package.
The telco says the new channels will give it more than 75 HD channels, exceeding the high-def lineups of most cable operators. DIRECTV and Dish Network both say they offer 100 or more HD channels.
The new channels include several regional sports networks, premium movie channels and basic cable networks. AT&T's HD service is available for $10 a month in addition to the monthly cost of any basic U-Verse programming package.
"Our U-verse HD channel expansion comes as consumer demand for HD content reaches an all-time high and cable companies fall further behind," said Dan York, executive vice president of content and programming for AT&T Converged Services. "We're again expanding our channel lineup so AT&T U-verse TV customers can always find the content they enjoy -- whether that's HD, SD or in-language networks -- and watch that content when and where they want."
The new channels that will be added on November 3 are:
@Max HD
5StarMax HD
ActionMax HD
Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD
Comcast SportsNet New England HD
Encore HD
Fox Business Network HD
Fox News Channel HD
FSN Detroit HD
FSN Florida HD
FSN Midwest (Kansas City) HD
FSN Midwest (St. Louis) HD
FSN Ohio (Cincinnati) HD
FSN Ohio (Cleveland) HD
FSN Prime Ticket HD
FSN South HD
FSN Southwest (Dallas) HD
FSN Southwest (Houston) HD
FX Network HD
FX Network HD - West
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
HBO Latino HD
HBO Signature HD
HBO Zone HD
HBO2 West HD
Lifetime Television HD
Lifetime Television HD - West
MoreMax HD
Outdoor Channel HD
OuterMax HD
Planet Green HD
QVC HD
Showtime 2 HD
Showtime Extreme HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Speed HD
SportsSouth HD
SportsTime Ohio HD
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Edge HD
Sun Sports HD
The Travel Channel HD
ThrillerMax HD
TMC Xtra HD
Weather Channel HD
Wmax HD
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MSNBC's HD Election Gaffe
The cable news network ignores high-def at its own peril.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 24, 2008) -- CNN has been in high-def for more than a year. Fox News' High-Definition channel launched last spring -- just in time for the general election campaign for the 2008 presidential race.
But MSNBC? Well, the third entrant in the basic cable news network war has yet to offer a high-def simulcast channel. And now, network officials tell Multichannel News that it likely won't until the second quarter of 2009.
“Look, I’d love to be in HD right now,” said MSNBC president Phil Griffin. "The idea of the announcement before the election appealed to me. I pushed our guys hard.”
But, apparently, not hard enough. The news network, which is owned by NBC and features such iconic personalities as Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, says it couldn't convert a second control room in time for the election. (One HD-ready control room was ready to go.)
“We don’t want to do it in parts. We want to be fully ready,” Griffin told Multichannel News.
Sorry, Mr. Griffin, but that doesn't pass the smell test. Come on, you couldn't get a single control room ready so you could offer high-def coverage of arguably the most historic presidential race in decades?
That's even more farfetched than your typical plot of Knight Rider.
If NBC wanted MSNBC to be in high-def this year, it would have spent the money necessary to make it happen. But there's a reason it didn't -- the same reason that MSNBC regularly finishes third in the cable news ratings.
The network is led by the cheapest man in town.
Namely NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker.
That's right. Zucker. The same guy who once said he didn't think that high-def was very important; that viewers would probably watch a show whether it was in HD or not.
Yes, Zucker. The same guy who was involved in the network's decision to wait until 2006 before airing the Olympics live in high-def (Ex NBC Cable President David Zaslav had a big hand in on that one, too.)
Zucker. The same guy who kept Wimbledon, the world's premiere tennis tournament, in standard-definition until 2008.
And, yes. Zucker. The same guy who litters his summer primetime lineup (and sometimes the fall) with cheaply-produced SD reality programs such as Last Comic Standing, Nashville Star and America's Got Talent.
NBC was considered a pioneer in the HDTV industry, launching The Tonight Show in high-def back in 1999. But after Zucker began taking important positions at the network -- and eventually becoming president and CEO -- the network has taken a hit-and-miss approach to HD.
For example, NBC was the first to go high-def with its evening newscast (last year) and the network's 2008 Olympic HD coverage was both breathtaking and comprehensive.
But then you see the network's primetime schedule still featuring SD programs -- and now MSNBC ignoring HD for the 2008 election -- and you have to wonder if the network is yet fully committed to high-def.
Well, one thing you won't have to wonder is whether MSNBC's decision to sit out the 2008 election as far as high-def is concerned will hurt the network in the long run.
Answer: It will.
While MSNBC's ratings are up this year (and so are CNN and Fox's ratings, thanks to the election), I suspect that they are down in the high-def audience, an audience that's growing fast. (High-def viewership is still not categorized by Nielsen.) Depending upon their political allegiances, high-def owners are picking either CNN or Fox News to watch this year's election coverage because they are in HD.
And when MSNBC eventually switches to HD next year (assuming Mr. Zucker doesn't veto it for economic reasons), it may be too late to bring those viewers back.
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Dish Network Adds Local HD to 6 Markets
The satcaster now offers local HD in 76 markets.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 23, 2008) -- Dish Network today added local High-Definition channels to six more markets, the satcaster announced in a statement.
The new markets are: Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo.; Des Moines-Ames, Iowa; Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb.; Omaha, Neb.; Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ill.; and Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas.
The launch means that Dish now offers local high-def channels in 76 markets, which represents roughly 72 percent of U.S. TV households.
Dish did not reveal which local channels were added in the six markets. Satellite and cable TV services sometimes do not offer all major broadcast networks in local high-def due to carriage disputes with the local affiliates.
Dish Network plans to offer local HD channels in 100 markets by year's end.
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Netflix Signs Movie Deal With Samsung
The streaming service will be available over the Net via devices.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 23, 2008) -- Netflix has signed an agreement with Samsung to deliver its movies from the Internet to television through various Samsung products, including its Blu-ray player.
The online DVD rental service, which has partnered with LG Electronics on a similar Blu-ray/Netflix movie streaming set-top, is hoping that Americans will embrace the concept of watching films instantly over high-speed Internet connections.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Samsung will let owners of its BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray disc players to stream Netflix films using the Net-enabled service. Since the products are already on sale, users will have to download new software that will enable the Netflix service to operate. (For Netflix subscribers, the service will be free.)
In a press statement, Netflix and Samsung suggested they would also include Netflix's video streaming service in other Samsung products, but they did not name them, although televisions would be the most likely choice.
Although the LG and Samsung Blu-ray players can play high-def discs, they will not be able to play Netflix films in HD at this time.
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Digital TV Study: 3 Million to Stop Watching TV
The ABI Research says they will let their sets 'go dark' on transition day.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2008) -- On February 17, 2009, full-powered local TV stations will switch their signals from analog to digital, meaning viewers will need to get a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV service to keep watching television.
However, a new ABI research study says roughly 20 percent of Americans who use off-air antennas to watch broadcast television will do nothing on the transition day and simply let their TVs ' go dark.'
If true, that means that approximately three million viewers could stop watching their local channels, which would have a serious impact on local TV ratings and their advertising rates. (And The Wall Street Journal reports today that overall viewing for the major broadcast networks, which are affiliated with the local channels, is declining again this season.)
ABI estimates that 15 percent of Americans now use off-air antennas to watch TV. This is the group that will need to act before February 17, 2009 if they want to keep viewing. (Pay TV subscribers will continue to get their signals when the transition occurs.)
According to a consumer survey, ABI says 70 percent of off-air viewers will get a converter box; 10 percent will switch to cable or satellite; while 20 percent will do nothing, letting their TVs go dark.
"Our survey data suggest that the net result of consumers' choices after analog switch-off will be a drop in overall terrestrial viewing. Terrestrial viewers tend to be more likely to use alternative video entertainment forms such as DVD rentals and broadband video and the transition may push them further in that direction," says Steve Wilson, ABI's principal analyst.
Nielsen recently estimated that nine million Americans are still unprepared for the digital transition.
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Steve Jobs: Apple TV Is Still a 'Hobby'
The Apple chief downplays the emerging set-top business.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2008) -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs yesterday said that his company's TV set-top business, Apple TV, is still just a "hobby."
Apple TV, which now retails for $229, is a device that sends audio and video files (including high-def shows) from your PC to a High-Definition TV.
Jobs referred to Apple TV as a hobby when the company launched the service in March 2007. However, several Wall Street analysts and tech pundits have hailed the set-top as the future of television, suggesting it would replace traditional TV providers such as cable and satellite.
But Apple TV sales have fared poorly, according to retailers, and the company has refused to even release sales figures. Yesterday, Jobs seemed to downplay that Apple TV -- or its set-top competitors such as Vudu and LG/Netflix -- would experience success in 2009, either.
“Well, again, I think the whole category is still a hobby now—nobody has succeeded at it,” he told financial analysts during a conference call. “Given the economic conditions, the venture capital outlook, I think it will continue to be a hobby in 2009."
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Netflix: Blu-ray Players Will Replace DVD Players
But the online rental service says its number of Blu subscribers is now "relatively small.:
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 21, 2008) -- Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said yesterday that he believes that the Blu-ray high-def disc player will ultimately replace the standard-def DVD player.
Hastings made his remarks in a Wall Street analyst call following the release of the company's third quarter report.
"As prices come down, people who even are just DVD watchers are going to get a Blu-Ray player because the prices are low and it upscales the DVD very nicely," Hastings said. "So we really pretty optimistic, as prices come down, on Blu-Ray players replacing DVD players."
Best Buy recently reduced the price of its Insignia-branded Blu-ray player to $199 and other manufacturers are now offering players below $300. Most analysts believe that prices will fall even further when the holiday shopping period begins next month.
Despite Hastings' upbeat forecast on Blu-ray, the Netflix executive also revealed yesterday that he expects that roughly 500,000 of its 8.7 million subscribers at quarter's end will be Blu-ray owners. He called that number a "relatively small percentage."
But Hastings, whose company recently added a $1 monthly surcharge for Blu-ray subscribers, said the high-def disc is starting to pick up steam.
"Player prices are falling; They (Blu-ray makers) are starting to get some volume," he said. "It’s the same cycle that we really have seen on DVD."
In addition to offering Blu-ray rental discs via its web site, Netflix has partnered with LG Electronics to introduce a Blu-ray player that permits instant viewing of Netflix movies over high-speed Internet connections. (However, Blu-ray movies are not yet available on the LG/Netflix service.)
"Part of our long-term strategy is to get our streaming client embedded in as many Blu-Ray players as possible. LG Electronics was our first such partner and we’ll announce more Blu-Ray partnerships as they are ready for consumers," Hastings said.
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Best Buy Drops Blu-ray Player to $99?
The Insignia brand now retails for $199 and comes with a $100 coupon book.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (October 20, 2008) -- Best Buy has lowered the price of its Insignia-branded Blu-ray player by $30 to $199.
The player, model NS-BRDVD, is the first Blu-ray player officially listed at under $200. Some web sites, including Amazon.com., have occasionally sold a Sony Blu-ray player for $194, but the manufacturer's suggested retail has stayed above $200.
In addition, Best Buy's web site says the Insignia Blu-ray player comes with a $100 coupon book inside the box which can be redeemed for Blu-ray movies at the store. (Note: Insignia is Best Buy's private label for numerous electronics.)
The Best Buy price drop is expected to be followed by similar discounts from other Blu-ray manufacturers as the holiday season gets closer.
On Best Buy's web site, the retailer advertises the $199 Blu-ray player under a header that reads, "Blu-ray Price Drops!" The page then includes links to three other Blu-ray players, two priced at $299 (Sony and Samsung) and one priced at $399 (Samsung.) Best Buy was selling the Insignia player for $329 last July.
The Insignia Blu-ray player is a 'Profile 1.1 player' meaning it does not include new interactive features except for picture-in-picture.
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