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High-Def Life: EchoStar to Launch Local HDTV
Today's stars of our reality blog: EchoStar, a 103-inch Plasma TV and a woman who says HDTVs may be too big for her.
By Phillip Swann

Editor's Note: Phillip Swann, a.k.a. 'Swanni' and the president of TVPredictions.com, is writing a diary in 2006 on how High-Definition TV is changing lives, including his own Called "The High-Def Life," the blog includes the latest HDTV news and gossip -- and a peek at what's going on behind the scenes in the high-def industry. It also includes Swanni's now famous observations on how celebrities (and other things) look better or worse in HDTV. And, finally, Swanni will share with his readers what's going on in his own life, particularly as it relates to high-def.

Below are episodes nine and ten. To read past and future episodes of The High-Def Life, click Here.

January 12, 2006 (Episode 10)
The Super Bowl: A HDTV Touchdown?
In one of my 23 predictions for 2006, I said that High-Definition TV sales will see a big boost from December to February because of three events:

1. The 2005 holiday shopping season;
2. The 2006 Super Bowl (in February);
3. The 2006 Winter Olympics (also in February.)

I said that consumers who have been considering buying a high-def set will finally pull the trigger so they can see the big game or winter games as they should be seen. Well, according to The Associated Press, my prediction is starting to come true. Shoppers are now lining up to get a new set for the remaining NFL playoff games -- and the Big Enchilada in February.

However, before consumers bring the set home, I hope retailers do a better job of explaining exactly what they need to get a high-def signal (HDTV tuner or off-air antenna). Or, we may see people lining up again in March -- to return their sets. (Comment?)

Drop the Puck & Pick Up the Remote
NBC this Saturday will begin its weekly high-def coverage of the National Hockey League. Every Saturday (except during the Winter Olympics), the network will broadcast at least one game in HDTV. While the NHL has been in HD for sometime (on HDNet, and this season, on The Outdoor Network), it's a good sign that a major network is joining the party. (Comment?)

The Long Ride of a One-Trick Pony
In the past year, my comments on how celebrities look better or worse in High-Definition TV have been featured in dozens of publications, including The New York Times Magazine, and on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. A friend of mine fears the media will eventually grow weary of the angle, calling it a "one-trick pony." But I'm not so sure. America is addicted to celebrity coverage, particularly if it reveals how the stars really behave or look when they think no one is watching. That's why those National Enquirer covers featuring unflattering pictures of actresses without make-up on are so popular. We love to peek behind the curtain to see what our favorite stars are truly like. And, probably somewhere down deep, we take comfort in knowing they may not be as glamorous as Hollywood would like us to believe. It's nice to know that gray hair and wrinkles do not stop at the California border.

The Los Angeles Magazine interviewed me this week for an upcoming article on what celebrities are doing to look better in HDTV. I guess the 'one-trick pony' will keep riding for awhile. (Comment?)

January 11, 2006 (Episode nine)
EchoStar to Launch Local HDTV
EchoStar, the nation's second largest satcaster, will join rival DIRECTV next month in providing local channels in High-Definition TV, such as Fox, ABC, CBS and NBC. Company CEO Charlie Ergen says the first markets to get local HD will be: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. The Denver Post reports that Denver will be added in March and many more markets are expected after that.

Both DIRECTV and EchoStar are hoping that local HDTV channels will hurt cable TV's effort to sign up new high-def owners. Cable operators have offered local HD for a few years. To get EchoStar's local HD package, subscribers will need to upgrade to a new dish and receiver. Upgrade packages will start at $49. (Comment?)

Reader Comment:
"We recently purchased a 42 in Plasma HDTV for the exclusive use of watching Avalanche Hockey on the Altitude Channel (we live in Boise, Idaho).  However, after we got the television home we went and called Direct TV (what a hassle that was/is) and we were informed that the box cost $250 and then $10 a month.  Hence, we are still happy with the television, but we don't view it in High Density.  Sigh.  These T.V.'s are hard to program for the average technically challenged 47 year old. " -- Lori

Do You Own a High-Definition TV?
During this year-long journey, I am going to ask average (and, sometimes, not so average) Americans if they own a HDTV. And, if not, I will ask why not. Joy (pictured below), a San Francisco resident who's attending college in the Washington, D.C. area, says she would like to own a high-def set, but...

"I'm living a student's life so I'm not in a position to get a big TV. But I would like (a HDTV). Not a real big one, though. I would want one that's smaller, around 30 inches. I want it to look good in the living room."


Joy's sentiments are shared by many females who fear that a High-Definition TV will destroy their home's decor. They think that most new TVs are large, bulky monsters that will dominate the living room. However, the sleek and stylish flat-screen TV -- whether it's a Plasma or LCD TV -- measures just four inches deep. The set itself looks as good as its picture. If the TV industry wants to accelerate HDTV sales, it needs to make more women aware of the flat-screen TV. (Comment?)

Panasonic's 103-Inch Plasma TV: Another Look
Last week, I published a picture of Panasonic's 103-inch Plasma TV, which was on display at the Consumer Electronics Show. A few readers asked for another photo of the world's largest TV. Well, here you go:
(Comment?)



© TVPredictions.com

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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

And click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology.