ESPNHD on Boston area cable

[sethphineas]

I can't seem to get a straight answer from Comcast (my Boston area cable provider) on whether -- and, since I'm assuming they'll iron out some form of contract, more to the point: WHEN -- ESPNHD will be broadcast over their broadband fibers so I can watch the HD programs that they are constantly plugging on standard ESPN.

I am seriously considering switching to satellite but I'm told I'd have to scrap my 4-yr old "narrow" dish (not to mention my standard receivers) if I want to receive HD quality signal.... Anyone else know the skinny?

[kojak light]

Here is the thread that talks about the

ESPN-HD issue (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=393)

[bobcolby]

Well, I did get a pretty straight answer. They told me that:

1) There are currently *no* plans to add any new channels.

2) Any negotiations that might be going on are confidential and they can't tell me anything about them.

My guess (just a guess) is that their plan is to go nationwide with the minimum package they have now (which could take some time) before adding anything.

RCN just debuted HDTV in this area, and they have added ESPN HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, Discovery HD and the local FOX affiliate to the channels Comcast already carries. I'd try to find out if you're in their coverage area (my town is, but some right-of-way issue keep them from servicing my building) if I were you.

[leadvocal]

Originally posted by sethphineas
I can't seem to get a straight answer from Comcast (my Boston area cable provider) on whether -- and, since I'm assuming they'll iron out some form of contract, more to the point: WHEN -- ESPNHD will be broadcast over their broadband fibers so I can watch the HD programs that they are constantly plugging on standard ESPN.

I had read somewhere on the 'Net that the President of Comcast, his name escapes me at the moment, is not willing to pay the increased fees that ESPN wants to charge for their HD content.

Does anyone know if that position has changed?

[kojak light]

It's Steve Burke and no it hasn't.

Methinks this will be quite a drawn out affair. I'd like to think that all of the service providers will stand together against Disney, and they probably will for awhile, but once the NFL season starts I would bet that someone will break ranks and then nobody will not be able to afford to make a stand.

Personally, I think ESPN should be offered ala carte. Pay $10.00 a month and get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNHD and ESPN Estrogen. Just like HBO or Showtime....

[DoubleDAZ]

Well, I don't know about standing together or Comcast, but Cox here in Phoenix now offers ESPN HD individually for $5/mo or packaged with Discovery HD for $9/mo. Discovery HD by itself went down $1 to $5/mo.

Eventually, as more HD offerings become available/get added to cable lineups, there could be a major shift in pricing strategies. Much of that will depend upon what the networks themselves do. Right now, ESPN and Discovery seem to be the only ones charging separate fees for HD content, simply because they can. But that could change rather quickly.

As long as movie channels like HBO, etc., remain on Premium tiers, I think their HD content will continued to be offered as part of those tiers for little or no increase in price. It might be nice though if we could subscribe to all HD as a separate tier without the need to subscribe to other tiers.

I get 8 HBO channels, but rarely watch most of them. The same goes for Showtime and The Movie Channel. I tend to rent DVDs (switching to Netflix soon) and I think just getting HD channels would save me some money in the long run.

Cheers,

[chrisPal]

I have been hounding Time Warner Cable in the Minneapolis area about the HD options available (only CBS, HBO, and SHO), and when I can expect to see any additional programming. The latest reply was encouraging but is probably just more words to keep me hanging on instead of switching over to something else. This was their statement to me:

"Channel 2 (PBS) is scheduled to be added in July. They are to complete tower work in June and have advised us that the HD signal should be available to us in July. KARE 11 (NBC) is in the final stages with corporate negotiations. Last I heard was that Discovery and ESPN were almost a done deal".

What do you think...anybody else hear the same stuff in your market only to have to sit and keep waiting or have people seen additional agreements between your local TWC and other networks?? I'm getting tired of waiting (like everyone else).