Washington D.C. (August 4, 2005) -- I have two High-Definition TVs -- one for cable and one for satellite. I usually take in several hours of HDTV every day. But I have to confess that I've watched very little in high-def this summer.

And, it's downright depressing.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still in love with HDTV's incredible picture and sound. I brag about it to everyone I know.

But, generally speaking, this summer has been a snoozefest for high-def fans.

Why? Four reasons:

1. Network Reality Shows
The big networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC), which normally air much of their primetime lineup in high-def, have shifted gears for the summer, emphasizing non-HDTV reality shows such as Dancing With the Stars and I Want to Be a Hilton.

You would think that the networks would want to show Kelly Monaco (ex-Playboy Playmate on Dancing With the Stars) and Paris Hilton (a guest star on her mother's program) in high-def, but nooooooo. During the summer, when audience numbers are down, the networks prefer to do things on the cheap -- and high-def productions cost more money.

2. Lack of New Channels
Most cable and satellite TV providers haven't added a new high-def channel in months. It's not that the current ones aren't good. In fact, thank God for HDNet,  Discovery HD Theater and INHD. (In fact, HDNet's high-def broadcast of this month's Discovery Shuttle liftoff was sensational. The Discovery's return will also air on HDNet at 4:46 a.m. ET on Monday, August 8. Disclosure note: HDNet is an advertiser at TVPredictions.com.)

But variety is the spice of life. It would be nice if someone would start adding some new channels. On most cable and satellite systems, there are fewer than 10 available HDTV channels. That's, well, depressing!

I will credit satcaster EchoStar for adding 10 channels last spring from the extinct Voom satellite TV service. But I don't have EchoStar. I have Comcast and DIRECTV and it seems like their high-def lineups haven't changed in months.

And that's because they haven't! Most cable and satellite TV operators say they don't have enough channel space at this time to add new HDTV networks. Well, phooey. As much as I like INHD, a high-def channel on most cable systems, if it shows the Ms. Olympia contest one more time, I will scream. And I'm serious, I will scream. There's nothing scarier than seeing a bunch of vein-popping, chemically-challenged "females" flexing their muscles in crystal-clear high-def.

3. DIRECTV's Slow, Slow March
In the spring, DIRECTV launched the first of four new satellites that will provide up to 150 national HDTV channels -- and local HD channels in most markets -- by 2007. However, the first satellite is not expected to be ready until late September or early October. That means that DIRECTV is not likely to add any high-def channels until then.

I applaud the new satellites, but they will not help my HDTV summer blues.

4. Inconsistent Sports Coverage
Will the networks ever figure out how to produce a game in high-def? For instance, on Fox's Saturday afternoon baseball games, "HDTV" broadcasts often look suspiciously like EDTV, for Enhanced Definition TV. The picture is too fuzzy for my tastes, particularly when I happen to watch it on my $2,500 set. For that money, I want to see the beads of sweat falling off Pedro Martinez's forehead!

In addition, the big networks still fail to air some major sporting events in high-def. NBC, for instance, goes analog with Wimbledon, which features the high-def friendly Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.

Couldn't the network cut out a few strawberries and cream and add a few high-def cameras? Just for me?

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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 Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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