DIRECTV: More HD Channels This Week?
Online guide listings show new additions.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 30, 2007) -- DIRECTV this week added 21 new High-Definition channels en route to its goal of offering 100 HD channels by year's end.

But when will the satcaster add more high-def channels?

DIRECTV has said it will provide 70 HD channels by the end of October, adding this month such networks as Bravo HD, Fox Business Channel HD, Cinemax HD, Food Network HD, NBA TV HD and Sci-Fi HD among others.

However, there are some signs that the satcaster will add more HD channels sooner than later. For instance, Zap2It.com, which offers online TV listings, is already showing MHD in DIRECTV's listings.

MHD is the high-def network for MTV Networks.

In addition, Zap2It.com lists the National Geographic Channel as being in high-def on DIRECTV.


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Microsoft TV: One Good Flop Deserves Another
The company will now push an Apple TV-like device to stream video from the PC to high-def sets.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 27, 2007) -- Well, they say that misery loves company.

Following a Forbes Magazine article this week that reports that Apple TV has been a bust, Microsoft today is expected to launch its own version of a PC-to-HDTV streaming device.

Called a Media Center Extender (catchy, huh?), the retail product will enable a Media Center PC owner to send his video and audio files from the PC to his High-Definition TV.

Although Apple TV's dismal sales -- less than 250,000 sold, says Forbes -- would seem to suggest that Americans are not interested in buying a separate set-top to stream video from a PC to a TV, Microsoft is bullish on the concept.


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DIRECTV & HD: What's Next?
New channels are expected shortly.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 27, 2007) -- DIRECTV finally began its High-Definition expansion yesterday by launching 21 new high-def channels.

But lost in the noise was the omission of several HD networks that were expected to be added in the satcaster's initial rollout.

For instance, The Cartoon Network HD, Food Network HD, Cinemax HD, HGTV HD, MHD and National Geographic HD were not added yesterday.

Earlier this month, DIRECTV customer service reps provided lists of HD channels that would be launched this month and they included the above channels.

With DIRECTV saying it will have 70 HD channels in October, it's likely that the channels mentioned above will be included in the next rollout, which should be in the next week or two.



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EchoStar Adds 4 HD Sports Networks
The satcaster says it now has 74 high-def channels.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2007) -- EchoStar's Dish Network today launched four new regional sports networks in High-Definition.

The four new HD channels are:

1. Altitude Sports and Entertainment (ch. 360), which broadcasts the games of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.

2. Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlanta (ch. 374), which airs Washington, D.C. area professional sports.

3. Comcast Sports Net West (ch. 359), which airs Sacramento Kings games.

4. Fox Sports Ohio (ch. 375), which has both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jacket games.


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DIRECTV Launches 20 HD Channels
The satcaster finally kicks off its high-def expansion.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2007) -- DIRECTV this morning launched 20 new High-Definition channels, including CNN HD and TBS HD.

The launch is the beginning of DIRECTV's plan to offer 100 high-def channels by year's end. With today's addition, the satcaster now has 30 national HD channels.

DIRECTV says it will have 70 HD channels in October.


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DIRECTV & HD: Here We Go Again?
The satcaster may be eying Wednesday as the kickoff for its high-def expansion.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2007) -- DIRECTV may be preparing to launch its HDTV expansion tomorrow.

But haven't we heard that before?

The satcaster, which says it will begin adding high-def channels this month until it reaches 70 in October, was set to begin the rollout last Wednesday.

But sources say that DIRECTV ran into a technical glitch, causing it to put the expansion in a holding pattern.

However, there's evidence that DIRECTV is back on track and is now targeting tomorrow as the big day. For instance:

* Since early Sunday morning, the satcaster has been periodically testing some of the new HD channels on channels 9300 and 9301.


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Forrester: Blu-ray-HD DVD War Will Continue
Study says Blu-ray must cut its player prices.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2007) -- The Blu-ray-HD DVD high-def DVD format war is likely to continue for another 18 months.

That's the conclusion of a new report from Forrester Research, as reported by Reuters.

The research firm also urged Blu-ray supporters to cut its player prices or risk an "upset defeat" by the HD DVD format.


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MTV Yanks Britney's Flop From MHD Schedule
The network makes a last minute scheduling change, but denies any pressure from the singer.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 24, 2007) -- MHD, MTV's High-Definition channel, last week abruptly cancelled an encore broadcast of Britney Spears' musical meltdown at the 2007 Video Music Awards.

However, the network denies that the singer pressured it to drop the show from its scheduled time, which was Saturday (September 22) at 9 p.m. ET.

The MHD broadcast would have been the first time that MTV had repeated the September 9 VMAs, which opened with Spears' controversial and lackluster performance of her new single, Gimme More.

On Saturday night, MTV replaced the 3-hour VMAs with a 90-minute VMA "Best Of" show, which included extended performances from the program. However, the "Best Of" performances did not include Spears' opening number.

Asked today if Spears pressured the network to not repeat her performance, Mariana Agathoklis, a MTV spokeswoman, said: "No, not that I'm aware of. It was just a last minute scheduling change."

But she added that MTV now has no plans to air the 3-hour VMAs on MHD or the standard-definition MTV.


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Home Theater Group Backs Blu-ray
Organization says installers are favoring the high-def format.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 24, 2007) -- Home Theater Specialists of America is endorsing Blu-ray over HD DVD in the high-def disc format war.

That's according to an article by TWICE Magazine.

The HTSA, which represents Home Theater installers and high-end CE stores, says a survey of its members found that 92 percent of their high-def player sales have been Blu-ray players.

The remaining eight percent were HD DVD players or combo units that playback both formats.

TWICE reports that the HTSA believes its endorsement of Blu-ray will "strengthen retailer commitment to providing more (Blu-ray)-based devices to meet growing consumer demand.”


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DIRECTV to Add Smithsonian HD
But will the satcaster offer the channel this week with its HD rollout?
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 24, 2007) -- DIRECTV has agreed to carry the new Smithsonian HD channel, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

That's according to an article by the Associated Press.

DIRECTV is scheduled to begin its much-anticipated HD expansion this month, going from 10 high-def channels to 70 in October.

However, the satcaster's initial rollout of HD channels was delayed last week due to technical glitches.

The Associated Press reports that DIRECTV will begin airing Smithsonian HD on Wednesday, the date that some DIRECTV customer service officials are giving as the new launch date for DIRECTV's initial HD rollout.


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DIRECTV Tests 2 New HD Channels
The satcaster has been plagued with a technical glitch.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 23, 2007) -- DIRECTV early this morning tested two new High-Definition channels on channels 9300 and 9301.

The channels, National Geographic HD and Discovery HD, are scheduled to be added when DIRECTV kicks off its high-def expansion this month.

DIRECTV tested the channels for about three hours before turning the signals off.

DIRECTV, which now has 10 HD channels, is scheduled to begin adding more high-def channels this month and offer 70 in October. The company launched a new satellite in July to expand its high-def capacity.

However, the satellite service has been plagued this month with a technical glitch that has prevented the launch of the HD expansion.


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Why Is DIRECTV Quiet On HDTV?
Subscribers are demanding answers on the upcoming high-def expansion.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 21, 2007) -- DIRECTV this week missed an internal deadline for launching its much-anticipated High-Definition channel expansion, according to several sources.

The satcaster has been tight-lipped on the reason why. (Sources say it's a minor but persistent issue with integrating customer accounts with the new channel lineup.) There has been no press release stating an exact launch date or an explanation of what's going on.

The lack of response from DIRECTV headquarters is stirring anxieties and causing speculation and rumors about the real cause of the delay.

This has led countless DIRECTV subscribers to call the satcaster's Customer Service department with complaints and/or simple inquiries.

Additionally, many of those customers have filled Internet message boards with laments about why DIRECT couldn't simply issue a statement explaining what's going on.



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DIRECTV Launches HD 'Customer Care' Channel
But the screen is dark for its premiere.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 21, 2007) -- DIRECTV's on-screen guide today lists a new channel dedicated to information about its "imminent" expansion of High-Definition channels.

However, today at 6 a.m. ET -- when the new channel was scheduled to begin -- the screen was dark and remains so at the time of this writing.

The channel's title is: "Customer Care Broadcast." The program descrption says: "Executive Broadcast. Suranyi, Filipiak, Brown and Olsen deliver the latest information on the imminent HD rollout."

The names apparently are of DIRECTV marketing executives.

The on-screen guide says the channel will remain on from today at 6 a.m. ET to October 5.


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News & Commentary
Microsoft HDi Logo Added to HD DVDs
The symbol promotes Microsoft's interactive features.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2007) -- Microsoft today said its HDi logo will soon appear on all Toshiba HD DVD players and HD DVD discs from Universal and Paramount.

The HDi logo means that Microsoft's Interactive TV features are available on the devices and film releases.

Microsoft's HDi technology in HD DVD players enables viewers to re-edit movies, download trailers and participate in online polls among other activities.

The features are available on such HD DVD titles as 300, Miami Vice and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

"With Microsoft's HDi technology, Toshiba is able to offer consumers a consistent movie-watching experience in a way that simply isn't possible with today's DVDs or available with any other format right now," Jodi
Sally, Toshiba's vice president of marketing said today in a press release.

"As the market for High Definition evolves, consumers will want more out of the next generation of DVD than just superior picture and sound -- they'll also want to personalize their experience and tap into fan communities for their favorite movies and TV shows," added Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of Microsoft's consumer media technology.

Commentary:
Microsoft has now been trying to shove Interactive TV down our throats for 10 years, investing billions of dollars on this foolish folly. But people simply don't want it. Time and time again -- whether it's WebTV, MSN TV, cable TV, you name it -- consumers have shown no interest in interacting with their televisions. They want to watch TV, not interact with it!

If Toshiba and Microsoft continue to deliver the message that HD DVD is ITV, the format will fail. The companies should be emphasizing HD DVD's great picture and sound, not the ability to go shopping or play a game on your TV.

Of course, Toshiba may not have an option here. Microsoft is investing heavily in the HD DVD format. Toshiba probably can not afford to tell Microsoft that it wants to downplay the ITV stuff. So, expect more.


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DIRECTV HD: Is Tomorrow the Big Day?
Several signs point to Wednesday as the day the satcaster begins its high-def expansion.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2007) -- Are we getting close?

DIRECTV has teased HD owners for several months now with promises of offering up to 100 high-def channels. But there are several indicators that the satcaster will finally begin its HD expansion tomorrow, September 19:

* DIRECTV's customer service representatives have been telling callers that new HD channels will be added on Wednesday.

While CSRs are often misinformed about the company's plans, roughly 25 TVPredictions.com readers have reported that their CSR have cited the September 19 date. It would appear that the customer reps are getting that information from a central source: likely DIRECTV's corporate office.

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Swanni's 2007 'Best & Worst' HDTV List!
Britney Spears might want to hide in the studio while Angelina Jolie's HD picture is worth a thousand looks.
By Phillip Swann

Editor's Note: The High-Definition TV picture is so clear that aging signs and skin imperfections are dramatically visible. Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has generated international media attention for his 2004 list, 2005 list and 2006 list of the 10 celebrities who look better -- and worse -- under the unforgiving lens of high-def. Now, Swanni has named his 2007 'Best and Worst' in HDTV. If you're a member of the media and would like to interview Swanni about HDTV and/or "The List," call 703-505-3064 or e-mail: swann@tvpredictions.com.

1. Britney Spears
Brit has put on so much weight that Oops, I Did It Again needs to be remixed as Oops, I Ate It Again. The singer was once known as a pop tart, but now it looks like all she does is eat Pop Tarts. Her new single is called, Gimme More. In her glory days, that title would have carried a sexual connotation. But now Gimme More could be her cry for seconds at Ruby Tuesday.

And in high-def, she looks about a decade older than she really is. Her face is already showing excessive wrinkling around her lips and eyes. Overall, she looks like she belongs in a biker bar. What happened to her?! Yeech!

See more at the article.


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Disney Chief Rips Blu-ray Defectors
Says Blu-ray victory is "forgone conclusion."
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2007) -- Disney CEO Robert Iger today criticized studios that have dropped support of Blu-ray in favor of rival HD DVD.

That's according to an article by the Associated Press.

Disney, along with three other major Hollywood studios, are exclusive supporters of Blu-ray in the high-def disc format war. However, Paramount and DreamWorks last month joined Universal HD in supporting HD DVD exclusively. (Paramount previously released films on both Blu-ray and HD DVD.)

The AP reports that Iger today said Blu-ray's victory was a "forgone conclusion" and expressed disappointment that other studios had not joined the Blu-ray team.

Iger made his remarks at a Goldman Sachs investment meeting.

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DIRECTV HD: Is Tomorrow the Big Day?
Several signs point to Wednesday as the day the satcaster begins its high-def expansion.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2007) -- Are we getting close?

DIRECTV has teased HD owners for several months now with promises of offering up to 100 high-def channels. But there are several indicators that the satcaster will finally begin its HD expansion tomorrow, September 19:

* DIRECTV's customer service representatives have been telling callers that new HD channels will be added on Wednesday.

While CSRs are often misinformed about the company's plans, roughly 25 TVPredictions.com readers have reported that their CSR have cited the September 19 date. It would appear that the customer reps are getting that information from a central source: likely DIRECTV's corporate office.

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CNBC HD: Will It Really Be HD?
The network is only planning to enhance the standard def picture.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2007) -- CNBC HD says it will launch a High-Definition channel this fall. But high-def viewers may quibble with that statement.

Broadcasting & Cable Magazine reports today that CNBC is planning to "upconvert" its standard-definition 4:3 picture to 1080i widescreen HD resolution.

The process of upconverting can improve a standard-def picture and allow it to be stretched so it fills a widescreen display.

However, upconverting does not offer true high-def images, although some HD viewers are fooled into thinking so by the widescreen picture. The upconverted picture is much softer and offers less detail than the HD image.

CNBC officials defend their decision by announcing that CNBC HD, which will be called CNBC HD+, will provide an innovative screen display when it launches sometime this fall. The network says it will shift the widescreen picture to the left and fill the widescreen with several 3D graphics that provide the latest financial statistics.


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Panasonic: How Plasma Is Better Than LCD
The world's leading Plasma TV maker discounts reports that LCD will take over the flat-screen business.

Washington, D.C. (September 15, 2007) -- Some research groups are predicting that the LCD HDTV will far surpass the Plasma HDTV in sales over the next several years.

However, Panasonic, the world's leading Plasma TV maker, recently increased its investment in Plasma production plants and the company says it's as bullish as ever on the flat-screen technology.

Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, recently asked Jeff Cove, vice president and technology liaison for Panasonic, on why his company believes Plasma offers a better picture than LCD, particularly in larger-screen sets.


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DIRECTV: HDTV Satellite Almost Ready
But the satcaster acknowledges that the satellite's 'spot-beam' capability is lacking.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 15, 2007) -- DIRECTV said last night that its new High-Definition satellite is "fully functional" to deliver up to 100 HD channels by year's end.

The satcaster said the DIRECTV 10 satellite, which was launched in July, has been placed in geo-synchronous orbit and is now undergoing in-orbit testing.

"The testing process has confirmed that the satellite is fully functional to deliver all planned nationwide HD programming. This will enable DIRECTV to deliver up to 100 HD channels nationwide by year-end," DIRECTV said in a press release.

DIRECTV has said it will expand from 10 HD channels to 70 HD channels this month and 100 by year's end.

However, the company last night acknowledged a problem with the DIRECTV 10 satellite's spot-beam capacity, which is designed to enable DIRECTV to provide local HD channels in more markets.


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DIRECTV Reveals HD Details Online
The satcaster's web site sheds more light on its upcoming high-def expansion.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 14, 2007) -- DIRECTV's much-anticipated expansion of High-Definition channels appears to be getting closer. The satcaster last night updated its web site with new HD programming information and channel lists.

DIRECTV is scheduled to go from 10 HD channels to 70 HD channels by month's end and will offer 100 high-def channels by the end of the year.

The company has not said when the expansion will take place, although an internal company document which was leaked this month said it would start on September 19.

At DIRECTV.com, the satcaster last night added a section that explains which HD channels will be available in its programming packages: Family, Choice, Choice Extra, Plus HD DVR and Premium. The HD package costs $9.99 a month in addition to the programming package cost.


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The HDTV Rumor Watch
Will Sony issue a low-cost PS3? Is DIRECTV's satellite in trouble?
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2007) -- Editor's Note: 'The HDTV Rumor Watch," an occasional feature at TVPredictions.com, examines the latest gossip about High-Definition channel launches, new hardware and more. If you've heard a rumor about HD, send it to: swann@tvpredictions.com

Rumor #1
DIRECTV's new HD satellite is having serious operational issues and the satcaster could be forced to delay its high-def expansion until 2008.

The Truth: There's nothing to suggest there's any truth to this. In fact, DIRECTV has been testing the satellite and it should be good to go sooner than later.

I suspect the rumors are being spread by subscribers to other cable and satellite services and other mischief makers. And because DIRECTV has yet to begin launching the new HD channels, it's easy for them to play their games. But don't buy it.

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EchoStar: We Have 70 HDTV Channels!
The satcaster makes a case for being the HD leader.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2007) -- EchoStar says its Dish Network service is now offering 70 High-Definition channels.

While DIRECTV is generating headlines with its planned high-def expansion, the satcaster's rival says it's delivering HD in volume now.

EchoStar this week added the Big Ten Network HD to its lineup, giving it 39 national HD channels, more than any other TV provider.
“EchoStar is proud to solidify its leadership in HD by continuing to offer the most national HD channels in the country," EchoStar spokeswoman Francie Bauer said today.

DIRECTV says it will offer 70 HD channels by month's end and 100 high-def channels by the end of the year. The satcaster launched a new satellite in July to expand its HD capacity and is scheduled to launch another one next year to expand it further.

But counting regional sports channels and PPV channels, EchoStar says it has 70 HD channels now. The satellite service yesterday added eight HD PPV channels which offer new movies in high-def for $4.99 each.


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Will Comcast Meet Its HD Forecast?
Company president Steve Burke said the company would have 32-35 HD channels by the end of this month.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2007) -- Comcast President Steve Burke told TVPredictions.com a year ago that the cable operator would offer 32-35 High-Definition channels in the third quarter of 2007.

Today, with just 17 days left in the third quarter, which ends on September 30, Comcast is only offering about 25 HD channels in most markets.

So, will the nation's largest cable operator add 7-10 HD channels in the next few weeks to fulfill Burke's forecast?

Jenni Moyer, a Comcast spokeswoman, said the company could not offer a timeline for when more channels will be added.

"We will continue to negotiate with HD channels and we will continue to add HD channels," she said. "But we can't confirm a timeline."



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