Washington, D.C. (October 30, 2006)
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Editor's Note:
'The HDTV Rumor Watch' is a new department at
TVPredictions.com. The occasional feature examines the
latest gossip about High-Definition channel launches and
related news.
Rumor #1
INHD2 will go off the air by year's end.
The Truth: Quite likely -- if not by year's end, sometime in 2007. Rob Jacobson, chief executive of In Demand, the parent company of INHD and INHD 2, told TVPredictions.com several weeks ago that it's possible that the two channels will merge into one. Programming executives rarely acknowledge something like that publicly if they are not close to actually making the decision. Several cable operators have also dropped INHD 2 from their lineups in recent weeks, another sign that the channel is all but dead.
Rachel Bilson in Fox's The O.C.
Rumor #2
Fox will soon launch another high-def channel.
The Truth: Don't bet on it. Fox announced last year that it would launch two HDTV channels in 2007 -- National Geographic HD and Fox HD. The latter would feature high-def programs from all Fox-owned networks such as FX and The Fox Network. Well, National Geographic HD was launched on schedule, but it appears that Fox has gotten cold feet on Fox HD. A company spokesman told TVPredictions.com last week that Fox has no plans to launch Fox HD at this time.
Rumor #3
DIRECTV decided on purpose to release a smaller number of HR20 HD DVRs to generate more demand and buzz.
The Truth: Not quite. While it's true that the new high-def recorder is in short supply, DIRECTV actually did not foresee the incredible demand at launch. In addition, despite public comments to the contrary, the satcaster was not certain that the receiver was bug-proof when it was first released. Consequently, better to release a small number of units so it could work out the kinks in relative quiet.
Rumor #4
The networks will soon begin broadcasting primetime programming in 1080p to fuel interest in new 1080p high-def sets.
The Truth: Highly unlikely. While the networks would love to generate more advertising from manufacturers of 1080p HDTVs, they are not close to producing and airing shows in the new picture format.
Rumor #5
Comcast will add several HDTV channels by year's end.
The Truth: Maybe not several by year's end, but you should see a few additions at least. The cable operator has quietly added system space for new HD channels by jettisoning multiple feeds of some premium movie networks. However, before Comcast adds anything, it must negotiate what it believes are fair terms (programming fees) with the high-def networks.
Rumor #6
CBS will soon broadcast Survivor in HD
The Truth: No way. Mark Burnett, Survivor's longtime executive producer, is no fan of high-def. Plus, all networks, including CBS, still do not see the benefits of doing reality shows in HD. The standard definition broadcast is cheaper and easier to produce -- one of the chief reasons why the networks love unscripted programming. See:
NBC's Zucker: Who Needs HDTV?
Rumor #7
Sony will announce a huge discount for its new Blu-ray player when it's released next month.
The Truth: I have no inside knowledge, but it wouldn't surprise me. Sony had planned to release the high-def DVD player before the launch of its Play Station 3 (scheduled for next month.) But a few days before launch, it quietly moved the date back to December 4.
The Sony PS3 will include a Blu-ray player and it will cost about half the expected price of the standalone Sony Blu-ray player ($999). Does that make sense? Not to me. So don't be shocked if Sony cuts the launch price to $799.
Rumor #1
INHD2 will go off the air by year's end.
The Truth: Quite likely -- if not by year's end, sometime in 2007. Rob Jacobson, chief executive of In Demand, the parent company of INHD and INHD 2, told TVPredictions.com several weeks ago that it's possible that the two channels will merge into one. Programming executives rarely acknowledge something like that publicly if they are not close to actually making the decision. Several cable operators have also dropped INHD 2 from their lineups in recent weeks, another sign that the channel is all but dead.
Rachel Bilson in Fox's The O.C.
Rumor #2
Fox will soon launch another high-def channel.
The Truth: Don't bet on it. Fox announced last year that it would launch two HDTV channels in 2007 -- National Geographic HD and Fox HD. The latter would feature high-def programs from all Fox-owned networks such as FX and The Fox Network. Well, National Geographic HD was launched on schedule, but it appears that Fox has gotten cold feet on Fox HD. A company spokesman told TVPredictions.com last week that Fox has no plans to launch Fox HD at this time.
Rumor #3
DIRECTV decided on purpose to release a smaller number of HR20 HD DVRs to generate more demand and buzz.
The Truth: Not quite. While it's true that the new high-def recorder is in short supply, DIRECTV actually did not foresee the incredible demand at launch. In addition, despite public comments to the contrary, the satcaster was not certain that the receiver was bug-proof when it was first released. Consequently, better to release a small number of units so it could work out the kinks in relative quiet.
Rumor #4
The networks will soon begin broadcasting primetime programming in 1080p to fuel interest in new 1080p high-def sets.
The Truth: Highly unlikely. While the networks would love to generate more advertising from manufacturers of 1080p HDTVs, they are not close to producing and airing shows in the new picture format.
Rumor #5
Comcast will add several HDTV channels by year's end.
The Truth: Maybe not several by year's end, but you should see a few additions at least. The cable operator has quietly added system space for new HD channels by jettisoning multiple feeds of some premium movie networks. However, before Comcast adds anything, it must negotiate what it believes are fair terms (programming fees) with the high-def networks.
Rumor #6
CBS will soon broadcast Survivor in HD
The Truth: No way. Mark Burnett, Survivor's longtime executive producer, is no fan of high-def. Plus, all networks, including CBS, still do not see the benefits of doing reality shows in HD. The standard definition broadcast is cheaper and easier to produce -- one of the chief reasons why the networks love unscripted programming. See:
NBC's Zucker: Who Needs HDTV?
Rumor #7
Sony will announce a huge discount for its new Blu-ray player when it's released next month.
The Truth: I have no inside knowledge, but it wouldn't surprise me. Sony had planned to release the high-def DVD player before the launch of its Play Station 3 (scheduled for next month.) But a few days before launch, it quietly moved the date back to December 4.
The Sony PS3 will include a Blu-ray player and it will cost about half the expected price of the standalone Sony Blu-ray player ($999). Does that make sense? Not to me. So don't be shocked if Sony cuts the launch price to $799.