Blu-Ray Makers Cut Back On Ads
Industry officials offer conflicting opinions.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 31, 2008) -- Blu-ray manufacturers have sharply reduced the number of print advertisements since Toshiba announced it was exiting the HD DVD business.
That's according to a study by DisplaySearch, as reported by Video Business.
The research firm says that that newspaper circular ads for Blu-ray high-def DVD players fell from 50 to 100 percent between Feb. 10 and March 11, compared to November and December.
Although Blu-ray makers would seem eager to capitalize on HD DVD's exit, DisplaySearch concludes that they are trying to save money after investing heavily in the format war.
"The biggest, most obvious (reason) is there is less competitive pressure to push (Blu-ray) right now,” said Paul Erickson, director of high-def and DVD at DisplaySearch, according to Video Business. "There is not as much pressure to turn in a strong performance, and they can look to stabilize the dropping of prices.”
But Panasonic offers another opinion on the advertising cut-back: a shortage of available players. Why advertise if you don't have enough players to sell?
"Panasonic didn’t expect Toshiba to pull the plug on that particular day, and now there is more demand for Blu-ray, and we and other brands are reacting to that,” said Panasonic senior group manager Tony Jasionowski. “We’re trying to get more product out. We are on top of this and have made our factory in Japan aware of this in order to increase the availability of product.”
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Cable & Satellite Still Lack Space For HD
Despite all the talk, TV providers are struggling to provide more high-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 31, 2008) -- If you listened to the satellite and cable operators, you would think they could offer hundreds of HDTV channels with the flip of a switch.
Comcast CFO Michael Angelakis said this month that his company has the capacity to offer more than 150 High-Definition channels. Time Warner CFO Landel Hobbs boasted last year that it would have "virtually unlimited" high-def capacity by the end of 2007.
And DIRECTV aired several TV commercials in 2007 boasting of more capacity for HD than any TV provider in the world.
But despite the talk, the undeniable truth is that all cable and satellite operators are still struggling to find system space for more high-def channels and services. For instance:
* DIRECTV hasn't launched a HDTV channel this year.
* Dish Network hasn't launched a national HD channel in months and the satcaster openly laments that it needs new satellites to expand its high-def lineup. (Dish hopes to get three new satellites operational this year; one recently failed, but still might be saved.)
* Cablevision this month wouldn't even comment on whether it would offer MLB 'Extra Innings' games in high-def this season. (The HD games require more system space.)
* Comcast this month had to drop six premium movie channels in the Tallahassee, Florida area to make room for more High-Definition channels. The nation's largest cable operator also says its local systems haven't decided whether they will offer MLB 'Extra Innings' games in high-def this season. (The season started yesterday.)
Add it up and you can see that the so-called unlimited capacity talk is more rhetoric than reality. The cable and satellite services are trying to put a good face on a difficult situation.
In the coming months, DIRECTV and Dish should have more space thanks to new satellites. (DIRECTV this month also launched a new satellite and it should be operational in September, the company says.)
Additionally, the major cable operators continue to implement and experiment with a new technology called Switched Digital Video that's designed to expand capacity. But SDV is not ready in most markets and may not be for some time.
So, high-def viewers, you'll see more HD channels this year. But they might come more slowly than you have been led to believe.
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Comcast Will Offer 'Extra Innings' In HD
The cable operator reverses its earlier position.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 30, 2008) -- Comcast says now that some local systems will offer MLB 'Extra Innings' baseball games in High-Definition.
The position is a reversal from the company's stance less than two weeks ago.
In Demand, the company that will distribute the pay package of games to cable operators, is expected to offer up to 10 'out-of-market' games a week in HD as well as up to 80 in standard-def.
But Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer told TVPredictions.com on March 19 that the cable operator would not broadcast the high-def games to its subscribers.
"Only SD," Moyer said.
Asked why on March 19, Moyer said it wasn't because the cable operator didn't have room on its system for the HD games which require more capacity.
"It's most likely because we don't have an agreement to carry it in HD," she said.
However, In Demand spokeswoman Ellen Cooper told TVPredictions.com on Friday (March 28) that every cable operator that carries the Extra Innings package (including SD games) has the rights to also offer the HD games.
Asked about Cooper's statement, Moyer acknowledged in an e-mail Friday night that Comcast does have the rights to offer the high-def games.
She added: "Ellen is in fact correct and I have confirmed that. We do have the rights to offer MLB (Extra Innings) in HD and local systems are deciding whether to offer it...Some of our systems will carry MLB EI in HD this season."
As of Sunday, Moyer had not responded to a follow-up question regarding which local Comcast systems will carry the HD games.
Cable viewers can watch Extra Innings games by ordering the package through their cable operator for a one-time rate of slightly less than $200.
Time Warner and Cox have also said they will offer both SD and HD games, with the latter saying the high-def games will be available in San Diego and Rhode Island.
Cablevision has refused to comment whether they will provide the HD games while Charter Communications has failed to respond to several inquiries from TVPredictions.com.
DIRECTV is offering up to 40 Extra Innings games a week in HD, although the high-def coverage will cost an additional $50 over the standard SD package of $179.
Dish Network did not carry the pay package last year and has not announced that it will do so this year, either.
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Time Warner: We'll Have MLB 'Extra Innings' In HD
The cable operator says it will be offered on a market by market basis.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 28, 2008) -- Time Warner says it will provide Major League Baseball's 'Extra Innings' this season in High-Definition.
In Demand, the company that will distribute the Extra Innings pay package to cable operators, is expected to offer around 10 'out-of-market' games a week in HD as well as up to 60 a week in standard-def.
Cable viewers can watch the games by ordering the package through their cable operator for a one-time rate of slightly less than $200.
Justin Venech, a Time Warner spokesman, tells TVPredictions.com that the cable operator will offer "many" Extra Innings games in high-def.
He did not provide an exact number nor reveal which local Time Warner systems will provide the HD coverage. Venech said each local system will decide whether to offer the games in high-def.
Time Warner is the second cable operator to commit to carrying Extra Innings games in HD.
Cox Communications said this week that Cox systems in San Diego and Rhode Island have agreed to carry the high-def 'Extra Innings' games.
A Cablevision spokesman said his company will offer the SD Extra Innings package, but said he could not comment on whether the HD games would be included in the plan.
Comcast has told TVPredictions.com that it will carry the standard-def games of Extra Innings, but not the HD games.
Charter also carried the Extra Innings package last year. TVPredictions.com has issued several inquiries to Charter asking about its 2008 plans, including high-def, but the cable operator has not responded.
DIRECTV will provide an Extra Innings package for 2008, which will include up to 40 games a week in high-def. The cost for both the SD and HD games will be $229 to DIRECTV subscribers.
Dish Network tells TVPredictions.com that it will not carry either the SD or HD Extra Innings in 2008.
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Dish Network Adds Local HD In 4 Cities
Satcaster now offers local high-def channels
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2008) -- Dish Network today began broadcasting local HDTV channels in four new markets.
The new HD cities are: Austin, Texas, Flint, Michigan, Orlando, Florida and West Palm Beach, Florida.
With the additions, Dish now provides HD locals in 39 markets, which represents more than 54 percent of U.S. television households.
"We announced earlier this year that we would reach our goal of 100 local HD markets...by the end of 2008, and over the next two months we will continue toward this goal by increasing our local HD offerings by more than 60 percent," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for Dish Network.
Dish Network, which now has 76 national HD channels, also plans to offer 100 national HD channels by year's end. However, the satcaster's first of three satellites to expand capacity has failed to reach its orbit.
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Study: 29M Blu-ray Homes Worldwide In 2008
Strategy Analytics says Play Station 3 consoles will drive sales.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2008) -- Blu-ray players will be in 29.4 million homes worldwide by the end of 2008.
That's the conclusion of a new research study from the London-based Strategy Analytics.
The company says that with HD DVD exiting the high-def disc format war, Blu-ray sales should soar in the coming months. (Toshiba is pulling the plug on HD DVD at the end of this month.)
Sony's Play Station 3, which has a Blu-ray player inside, will drive more interest in the technology, the company concludes.
"Sony’s PS3 games console will continue to drive the Blu-ray market until 2009, after which stand-alone Blu-ray players will become the dominant segment," Strategy Analytics said in a statement.
The company added that 132 million homes worldwide will have at least one Blu-ray device by 2012.
“HD-DVD’s withdrawal leaves the way open for Blu-ray to become a major revenue earner for technology vendors and content owners alike,” says David Mercer, Strategy Analytics' principal analyst. “The 265 million homes that will own an HDTV by 2012, and Hollywood’s need for a new growth engine, represent huge incentives for the industry to coordinate marketing activities and demonstrate unified support for the successor to DVD.”
The research firm said 18.8 million Blu-ray devices will be sold worldwide this year, including four million standalone players, 13 million game consoles and nearly two million PCs.
By 2012, it estimates that 57.4 million Blu-ray devices will be sold annually, with 26.4 million sold in Europe and 22.6 million in the United States.
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Cox: MLB 'Extra Innings' In HD
But the cable operator offers no details.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2008) -- Cox Communications says it will provide some games in Major League Baseball's 'Extra Innings' package in High-Definition.
However, the cable operator offers no details such as how many games or even which local Cox systems will provide high-def coverage.
"We will offer those games in HD in select markets," Cox spokeswoman Erin Lambermont tells TVPredictions.com. "It's up to each market to determine whether to carry (games in HD)."
In Demand, the company that will distribute the Extra Innings pay package to cable operators, is expected to offer around 10 'out-of-market' games a week in HD as well as up to 60 a week in standard-def.
Comcast has confirmed to TVPredictions.com that it will carry the standard-def games of Extra Innings, but not the HD games.
Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox and Charter also carried the Extra Innings package last year. TVPredictions.com has issued inquiries to the four cable operators asking about their 2008 plans, including high-def, but has yet to receive a response except for Cox.
DIRECTV will provide the Extra Innings package for 2008, which will include up to 40 games a week in high-def. The cost for both the SD and HD games will be $229.
Cox is now selling the package for $159 as an "early bird special," but there is no indication at its web site that the HD games would cost extra.
Dish Network tells TVPredictions.com that it will not carry either the SD or HD Extra Innings in 2008.
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DIRECTV SD Viewers Miss Red Sox-A's Game
The satcaster apparently suffered an early morning transponder issue.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 25, 2008) -- DIRECTV high-def subscribers were able to watch today's 2008 season opening game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics on ESPN 2 or NESN.
But the majority of DIRECTV customers -- those who do not own an HDTV and/or subscribe to the satcaster's HD package -- were shut out apparently because of a faulty transponder that blacked out the game on the two networks' analog channels.
The outage generated scores of complaints from baseball fans on Internet message boards, particularly since they rose early to watch the game at its unusual starting time of 6 a.m. ET.
The early start time was caused by Major League Baseball's decision to hold the opening game in Tokyo.
DIRECTV has yet to respond to an inquiry from TVPredictions.com as to why the two analog channels failed. However, the Associated Press reports that the satcaster refused to say why it occured.
DIRECTV customer service reps this morning told customers that the problem was caused by a faulty transponder.
The analog channels have since returned to the air.
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Dish Network: No Extra Innings In 2008
The satcaster did not offer the package last year as well.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 25, 2008) -- Dish Network will not carry the Major League Baseball 'Extra Innings' package this season.
The satcaster did not offer the package of 'out-of-market' baseball games during the 2007 season, either, after pressure from congressional lawmakers forced Major League Baseball to allow TV providers other than DIRECTV to carry it.
Dish spokesman Parker McConachie confirmed to TVPredictions.com on Monday that it would not provide Extra Innings during the 2008 season.
DIRECTV will provide the Extra Innings package for 2008, which will include up to 40 games a week in high-def.
Comcast has confirmed to TVPredictions.com that it will carry the standard-def games of Extra Innings, but not the HD games.
Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox and Charter carried the Extra Innings package last year. TVPredictions.com has issued inquiries to the four cable operators asking about their 2008 plans, including high-def, but has yet to receive a response.
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DIRECTV to Impose 24-Hour PPV Limit
Viewers must watch the film after ordering it.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 24, 2008) -- DIRECTV next month will require subscribers to view a PPV movie within 24 hours after they order it.
The new policy, which will become effective on April 15, will apply to both high-def and standard-def movies.
The 24-hour clock will start the minute the film is ordered, meaning that a subscriber will be unable to watch it a day later.
However, a DIRECTV subscriber will still be able to record a PPV movie without ordering it at the time of the recording. This allows you to order it only when you decide to watch it. (After that, the 24-hour clock will start.)
DIRECTV says that special PPV events, such as sports, will not be affected by the new policy.
The satcaster says the 24-hour rule was imposed by the movie studios which are trying to protect their copyrights and DVD sales.
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Time Warner to Add 21 HD Channels In NY
The additions are scheduled for April 30.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 24, 2008) -- Time Warner has announced that it will add 21 new High-Definition channels in the New York area on April 30.
The new HD channels will be added to Time Warner local systems in Brooklyn and Queens.
With the 21 new channels, Time Warner Cable will offer roughly 45 high-def channels in the New York area, about half of what's offered by DIRECTV but more than most other cable services.
The new high-def channels that will be added on April 30 are:
A&E HD
ABC Family HD
Animal Planet HD
CNN HD
Discovery HD
Disney HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
History Channel HD
The Learning Channel HD
Lifetime Movies HD
MHD
NHL Network HD
NY1 HD
Science Channel HD
Speed Channel HD
TMC HD
Weather Channel HD
ESPNews HD
Toon Disney HD
Versus/Golf HD
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Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player?
Here are 10 pros and cons.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 24, 2008) -- The high-def format war is over with Blu-ray emerging victorious over rival HD DVD.
But does this mean that you should buy a Blu-ray player now? Well, that depends on your priorities -- and your pocketbook.
To help you in your decision, we have compiled 10 pros and cons to buying a Blu-ray player now, as opposed to later in the year or, perhaps, ever.
Pro: The Picture
The Blu-ray player, which can display video in 1080p, offers the best HD picture on the market. Better than cable, satellite, off-air antenna, you name it. If picture quality is important to you, there's no point in waiting.
Con: Price
Blu-ray players now cost at least $399 at retail. But if you wait until the 2008 holiday season, the price will likely come down to $299 or perhaps even as low as $199.
Pro: More Movies
With the format war over, the studios are expected to soon release more titles in Blu-ray. Even better, NetFlix and Blockbuster both say they will dramatically expand their Blu-ray selections in the coming weeks.
Con: Less Interactivity
Current Blu-ray players (with the exception of the Play Station 3) are not equipped to handle new interactive features that will be included in future Blu-ray discs. The features will enable viewers to download ringtones, chat with fellow Blu-ray owners and access movie trailers over the Net. If this is important to you, you might want to wait until the new players are introduced later this year.
Pro: Bundling
Some TV manufacturers are now bundling free Blu-ray players with their televisions. If you're in the market for a new set, this would be a good time to come home with a free Blu-ray player as well.
Con: Downloads
While this site believes digital downloads are years away from becoming a convenient way to watch movies at home, some analysts disagree. They say companies such as NetFlix, Microsoft and TiVo will soon enable viewers to watch a new video release without having to leave the house -- and waiting long periods of time for the video to download. If true, the Blu-ray business could sputter and eventually die away.
Pro: Ownership
Unlike downloads -- or cable's Video on Demand service -- Blu-ray enables you to own your movie. Like the standard-def DVD, you can start collecting a library of Blu-ray films that can be watched over and over.
Con: Ownership
Blu-ray titles are still pricey, with some around $30 or more, roughly twice the price of some standard-def DVDs. The Blu-ray disc price is likely to fall later in the year, which could be a reason to wait until then.
Pro: Upconversion
If you have a large collection of DVDs, the Blu-ray player includes an 'upconverting' feature that will enhance the picture on a standard-def DVD. While upconverting does not make your standard-def DVD image as good as a high-def picture, you will notice an improvement. (And despite what some might tell you, the Blu-ray player will play your current library of standard-def DVDs.)
Con: Upconversion
Upconverting DVD players (without Blu-ray capability) can be purchased for under $100, far less than the cost of a Blu-ray player. If improving the picture on your standard-def DVD is what's important to you, there's a cheaper way to do it.
So, the Blu-ray picture is amazing, but is the price right? Do you like to own movies or is just watching it once enough? Is interactivity important to you or do you just want to watch a good flick with a great image?
Your answers to these questions should tell you whether it's time for you to buy a new Blu-ray player.
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Dish Network's Wireless Win Could Nix Merger
One report says it shows the satcaster will stand on its own.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 21, 2008) -- Dish Network's win in the federal wireless spectrum auction makes it unlikely it will be purchased by AT&T or perhaps even satellite rival DIRECTV.
That's the conclusion of an analysis from Citigroup, as reported by Bloomberg News.
Dish Network, a sister network of EchoStar, has been rumored for months to be considering buyout deals from telco AT&T. The satellite TV service has been struggling to keep pace with better-financed competitors such as DIRECTV on services such as High-Definition TV.
However, Citigroup says Dish's decision to pay $711 million for 163 licenses for wireless spectrum indicates that it wants to go alone in the battle against DIRECTV and cable services.
`'This level of investment seems to signal that Dish plans to compete with the cable and telco firms on a standalone basis rather than sell to a rival,'' the report said, according to Bloomberg.
"It most certainly lowers the odds'' (of an AT&T deal), the report added.
The deal could also nix the possibility that Dish will merge with DIRECTV, another frequent rumor.
Citigroup said Dish may use the wireless spectrum to offer mobile video services.
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DIRECTV's HDTV Satellite Launched Successfully
The satellite will expand capacity to 150 national HD channels.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 20, 2008) -- DIRECTV said this morning that its new HDTV satellite was successfully launched last night.
Once operational, the new satellite, DIRECTV 11, will enable the satcaster to offer up to 150 national HD channels. (It now offers about 90.)
DIRECTV also plans to use the satellite to expand its delivery of local HD channels to more than 100 markets, representing 84 percent of U.S. TV households.
The company said the DIRECTV 11 should be operational in September.
Additionally, the company said it will launch yet another satellite in 2009 that will enable it to provide up to 200 national HD channels.
The satellite lifted off from the Odyssey Launch Platform aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket at 3:48 p.m. Pacific time last night.
DIRECTV said contact has been made with the satellite and all systems are functioning properly.
“Our new DIRECTV 11 satellite will soon join its sister satellite in orbit to form the most robust HD delivery system in the multichannel video industry and will be instrumental in maintaining DIRECTV’s position as the undisputed leader in HD for years to come,” said Derek Chang, DIRECTV executive vice president.
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Comcast Drops Channels to Add HDTV
The action comes in the Tallahassee area.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 20, 2008) -- Comcast has dropped six premium movie channels in the Tallahassee, Florida area to make room for more High-Definition channels.
That's according to an article by The Tallahassee Democrat.
The cable operator has removed the western simulcasts of some Showtime and Starz channels, the newspaper reported. (The western simulcasts air three hours after the east coast channels, which are still available.)
K.C. McWilliams, Comcast's general manager in the region, said the move was necessary to create more system space for high-def.
"To be able to give people access to as much new High-Definition choices and programming, we're trying to make the most efficient use of our broadband," McWilliams said.
Comcast, and other cable operators, have boasted that their high-def system capacity equals that of DIRECTV, which now offers more than 90 national HD channels. However, most cable services offer fewer than 40 HD channels in most markets.
The need to remove channels in Tallahassee to create space for high-def would suggest that capacity is still an issue, at least on that local system.
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Comcast: No HD For MLB Extra Innings
The cable operator will only show games in standard-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 19, 2008) -- Comcast said today that it will not offer any MLB 'Extra Innings' baseball games in High-Definition.
In Demand, the company that will distribute the pay package of games to cable operators, is expected to offer around 10 'out-of-market' games a week in HD as well as dozens of others in standard-def.
However, Comcast told TVPredictions.com today that it will not broadcast the high-def games to its subscribers.
"Only SD," Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer said.
Asked why, Moyer said it wasn't because the cable operator didn't have room on its system for the games which require more capacity.
"It's most likely because we don't have an agreement to carry it in HD," she said.
DIRECTV has said it will offer up to 40 Extra Innings games a week in HD, although the high-def coverage will cost an additional $50 over the standard package of $179.
Dish Network did not carry the pay package last year and has not announced that it will do so this year, either.
Cox, Time Warner and Charter will carry the package, but has not announced its HD plans.
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Blu-ray Shoots Itself In the Foot -- Again
New players will enable interactive features, causing one newspaper to write you shouldn't buy a current model
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 19, 2008) -- The next series of Blu-ray players will offer several interactive features not available on current models.
That's according to an article by USA Today, which advises its readers to wait before buying a current Blu-ray player.
The publication reports that the new players will be compliant with an upcoming "Profile 2.0" standard, adding an Internet connection feature called "BD-Live."
While the Blu-ray picture will not improve on the Profile 2.0 players, they will allow you to chat on-screen with other Blu-ray owners, retrieve free ring tones and play games.
The Sony BDP-S350, which will be available in the summer for $399, will be compatible with Profile 2.0 as will the BDP-S550, which will retail for $499 this fall.
"Technology always evolves, and new features are added to platforms continually, whether it's a Blu-ray machine or other consumer electronics products," says Chris Fawcett, vice president of home video at Sony Electronics.
While current standalone Blu-ray players are not compatible with Profile 2.0, Sony's Play Station 3, which has a Blu-ray player inside, can download updates for the new standard, USA Today reports.
Commentary:
While some industry officials, tech geeks and tech journalists will get weak at the knees over the new interactive features, few consumers will actually use them.
People want to watch movies, particularly in gorgeous 1080p high-def video.
Downloading a free ring tone or playing a silly game while they watch might make advertisers excited, but it will make movie lovers yawn.
Interactive TV is dead -- despite dozens of attempts to revive it by industry officials clueless about what their consumers really want.
By introducing these Profile 2.0 players, Blu-ray makers are just giving tech journalists an excuse to tell their readers to wait before buying a Blu-ray player.
Here's the lead paragraph of today's USA Today article:
"The High-Definition-video war may be over now that Toshiba has conceded defeat for its ailing HD DVD format, but those interested in buying a high-def Blu-ray player still might want to wait for new features coming in the fall."
For Blu-ray companies to allow this to happen is dumb -- almost as dumb as engaging in a format war.
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Dish Network: HDTV Expansion Still 'On Track'
The satcaster says more local and national HD channels are coming.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2008) -- Dish Network today said its expansion of High-Definition channels is "on track" despite a recent satellite launch failure.
An SES Americom satellite (AMC-14), which Dish is leasing to expand its HD capacity, failed to reach its proper geostationary orbit on Friday.
Officials say they are confident they can still place the AMC-14 into its proper orbit, but even if successful, the procedures could shorten the life of the satellite.
Dish Network wanted to use the satellite to expand its capacity for national HD channels from 76 to 100.
But in a statement, Dish reiterated today that it will launch three new satellites in 2008 to expand both national and local HD capacity, with the AMC-14 being the first.
Consequently, the satcaster said its HD expansion plans "remain on track" and it named roughly 24 channels that it might add later this year.
However, it did not offer specific launch dates for any of the national HD channels.
Dish did say that over the next two months that it would add local HD channels in the following markets:
April
Abilene, TX
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Columbia, SC
Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, MI
Ft. Myers, FL
Greensboro, NC
Milwaukee, WI
Orlando, FL
Providence, RI
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
May
Beaumont, TX
Burlington, VT
Grand Rapids, MI
Green Bay, WI
Greenville, SC
Huntsville, AL
Knoxville, TN
Norfolk, VA
Richmond, VA
“Dish Network customers can be reassured that the expansion of our HD programming over the next few months will proceed as planned,” said Dish CEO Charlie Ergen. “We are fortunate to have two more satellites scheduled for launch later this year to continue our HD rollout and reach our year-end goal of 100 local HD markets and 100 national HD channels.”
The national HD channels that Dish may add later in the year are:
ABC Family HD, AMC HD, BET HD, The Biography Channel HD, Bravo HD, Cartoon Network HD, CMT HD, CNN HD, Disney Channel HD, ESPN News HD, HBO2 HD, IFC HD, MGM HD, MoreMAX HD, MTV HD, Nickelodeon HD, Sci-Fi HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, Starz Edge HD, Tennis Channel HD, Superstation WGN HD, The Weather Channel HD, Toon Disney HD, USA Network HD and VH-1 HD.
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Cablevision: CableCARD Users Can't Get Voom HD
The cable operator will require a high-def set-top.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2008) -- Cablevision will soon require CableCARD customers to get an HDTV set-top to continue watching Voom's 15 high-def channels.
The CableCARD is a small card inserted into CableCARD-capable TVs that permits you to watch and record programming using a non-cable DVR without the need of a cable set-top.
However, a Cablevision spokesman told TVPredictions.com today that in April the cable operator will begin transmitting the Voom channels using a new technology called Switched Digital Video.
The technology enables cable operators to save bandwidth and therefore offer more channels. However, to receive a SDV channel, the viewer must get a cable HD set-top.
TiVo HD DVRs currently are not compatible with SDV-transmitted channels. However, TiVo is expected to offer a SDV fix later this year after consultation with the cable companies.
The Cablevision spokesman said CableCARD customers are being offered a free HD set-top for one year. The set-tops are normally $6.50 per month.
The spokesman declined to comment on whether Cablevision plans to transmit more high-def channels using Switched Digital Video.
Cablevision will begin sending the Voom channels via SDV to some homes in April with all homes switched over by the end of May.
The Voom lineup consists of 15 niche channels such as Family Room HD, Kung Fu HD, Monsters HD, Treasure HD and WorldCinema HD.
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Dish Network: Satellite Failure Will Delay HDTV Rollout
Leased satellite failed to reach its proper orbit.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2008) -- Dish Network acknowledged yesterday that last Friday's satellite failure will likely mean a delay in its High-Definition channel expansion.
An SES Americom satellite (AMC-14), which Dish is leasing to expand its HD capacity, failed to reach its proper geostationary orbit on Friday.
Officials say they are confident they can still place the AMC-14 into its proper orbit, but even if successful, the procedures could shorten the life of the satellite.
Dish Network wants to use the satellite to expand its capacity for national HD channels from 76 to 100. The satcaster has said it will launch three new satellites in 2008 to expand both national and local HD capacity, with the AMC-14 being the first.
In SEC filings, Dish and sister company EchoStar said yesterday that the AMC-14 satellite failure would prevent it from offering more high-def channels. However, The Wall Street Journal reports that the satcaster would not elaborate on that statement.
Meanwhile, a prominent Wall Street analyst said the satellite failure could quickly lead to a subscriber decline.
"Having the most High-Definition has become a major source of competitive advantage for DIRECTV, which has used its HD superiority to appeal to high end subscribers," said Sanford Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett in a research note, according to the WSJ. "Dish has struggled with a lower end positioning, and has suffered consequently higher (churn rate)."
DIRECTV, Dish's satellite rival, now has 92 national HD channels and plans to offer up to 150 by year's end. Ironically, the company this week is having its own problems with a satellite launch, experiencing a delay yesterday. However, officials appear hopeful the launch will take place shortly.
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Dish Network Seeks Re-Do On TiVo Ruling
Satcaster says patent case was decided on inaccurate testimony.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2008) -- Dish Network is asking a federal appeals court to rehear an earlier ruling that it had violated TiVo's DVR patent.
That's according to an article by the Associated Press.
In its filing, Dish says the ruling was based on "inaccurate" testimony from a TiVo witness. The satcaster says the witness contradicted himself and therefore the ruling was not "supported by substantial evidence."
TiVo sued EchoStar in 2004, saying the satcaster violated its 'Time Warp' patent for a DVR software feature.
The Time Warp feature allows "the user to store selected television broadcast programs while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program," according to TiVo's patent which was filed for almost 10 years ago.
A Texas jury decided in favor of TiVo in April 2006, awarding the company $73.9 million in damages. The appeals court upheld that verdict in January.
If the ruling is upheld, Dish may now owe TiVo as much as $100 million in damages, including interest. In addition, the satcaster could be forced to disable its four million DVRs, although it claims that a software upgrade has removed the feature found in violation.
For TiVo, a favorable outcome could give the company leverage in negotiating future DVR licensing deals with cable and satellite operators.
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Dish Network's HDTV Satellite Fails
The rocket suffers an "anomaly" during second orbit.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 15, 2008) -- Dish Network's new satellite designed to expand its High-Definition programming capacity failed last night.
The AMC-14 satellite, which Dish was leasing from SES Americom, lifted off successfully yesterday morning.
But International Launch Services, which was conducting the launch, reports that an "anomaly" occurred during the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage. The satellite then failed to reach its planned orbit.
Once operational, the satellite was expected to enable Dish to begin adding high-def channels, increasing its current total to roughly 70 to 100 by year's end.
The satcaster has said it would launch three new satellites in 2008 to expand its capacity for high-def. Dish also plans to offer local HD channels in 100 markets by year's end.
There's no word this morning from Dish Network on its immediate plans for satellite launches.
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Philips: $349 Blu-ray Player Going to $399
The company says HD DVD's exit is not behind the price increase.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2008) -- In January, Philips issued a press release saying its BDP7200 Blu-ray player would be released in April with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $349.
Scores of print and online publications reported on the Philips announcement, noting that it would be the lowest-priced Blu-ray player on the market -- $50 less than Sony's BDP-S300.
However, late last month, Toshiba announced that it was exiting the HD DVD business, ceding victory to its high-def disc rival, Blu-ray. Since then, no longer concerned about low-cost HD DVD players, Blu-ray makers have increased the price of their players, albeit slightly.
And Philips joined the crowd today, telling TVPredictions.com that its BDP7200 will be $399 next month -- not $349 as stated last January.
However, Philips spokeswoman Katie Bromley said the new price "was not related" to HD DVD's exit.
"(Philips) thought ($349) would be the cost at the time (in January)," she said.
However, when TVPredictions.com first asked about the new price tag, Bromley said the $349 price in the January press release was a "typo."
Bromley was then reminded that scores of publications had written about the $349 price last January -- and that Philips had never issued a correction saying the price should be $399.
After that conversation, she called TVPredictions.com back and said the $349 price was not a typo after all. Actually, she said, the price had changed sometime after it was originally set at $349. But she added that it had nothing to do with HD DVD departing.
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DIRECTV to Launch Video On Demand
The service will require high-speed Internet connections.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2008) -- DIRECTV will officially launch its Broadband-enabled Video On Demand service in the second quarter.
That's according to an article in The Wall Street Journal.
The satcaster has been testing the VOD service for months in select areas around the country. Using a Broadband connection, DIRECTV HD DVR owners can download both standard-def and high-def TV shows and movies.
For years, VOD has been the exclusive weapon of cable operators because satellite is a one-way technology, meaning users can not download as well as upload. However, the Internet now allows DIRECTV owners to download their favorite programs.
In addition to the download option, DIRECTV will send some shows directly to the user's DVR, which can be ordered at a later time by accessing the DVR's Showcase menu.
WSJ reports that DIRECTV says roughly 50 percent of its subscribers have high-speed Internet connections. However, actually connecting the home Internet line to the HD DVR is another story and could prove cumbersome for some viewers. DIRECTV is offering a instructional guide online and in the receiver's menu.
Another possible problem: Downloads, particularly high-def programs, can take significant time to complete which could try the patience of some subscribers.
"If I have to wait 40 minutes to watch an episode of The Sopranos, that is not really On Demand," industry analyst Bruce Leichtman tells WSJ. "That takes away from the impulsive nature of On Demand and loses a large purpose of the service."
DIRECTV says it will offer about 3,000 shows and movies through the service at launch.
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Studios: Digital Downloads Not Ready
Executives say it will be years before they replace DVDs.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2008) -- Digital downloads via Broadband connections are years away from replacing Blu-ray high-def and standard-def DVDs.
That's the consensus of top Hollywood studio executives, as reported today by Video Business.
Apple, Microsoft, TiVo and NetFlix have all (or will soon) launched services that allow home viewers to download TV shows and movies from the Net to their TVs.
However, during a Content Delivery and Storage Association conference panel this month, four studio officials said downloads are no threat to physical media because they are too complicated and take too long to download.
For instance, some high-def movies can take hours to download before the viewer can begin to watch.
"I don’t think we have to be worried about the replacement of physical media for some time,” said Benn Carr, Disney's vice president of new technology, according to Video Business. “Downloading sales are not going to ‘hockey-stick’ soon. Every time I access a site and download, it’s not necessarily seamless.”
Sven Davidson, vice president of content development for Fox, was even more critical:
“Demand for downloading is very small and the satisfaction is smaller," he said. “The pipelines aren’t big enough.”
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