Any speculation on more channels?

[ShackShock]

Does anyone have any tangible speculation on what non-network channels may go HD next? Obviously, it will be nice when ESPN gets more programming, but still to have a few more channels would be awesome.

I wonder how many people have signed up for DirecTV's HD package? When I made the call yesterday, the rep I spoke to said he had had a few calls already that morning to sign up.

[MrFister]

Originally posted by ShackShock

I wonder how many people have signed up for DirecTV's HD package? When I made the call yesterday, the rep I spoke to said he had had a few calls already that morning to sign up.

Due to DirecTV's poor management I am not allowed to sign up as of yet. I went out and purchased a SonyHD-200 and then purchased a Terk 3 LNB DirecTV dish which I installed myself and get all satellites with plenty of signal on all. After spending over $900 on DirecTV equipment, I go to order the HD package and am told no. You see I am being held hostage by my local NRTC DirecTV dealer. It seems the idiots at DirecTV didn't make sure all their legal subscribers can receive the package. I understand the illegal card holders had the channels prior to the 1st. I wonder what I should do?

[ShackShock]

I emailed a few channels to see if they would answer when they might start an HD channel. Someone from National Geographic wrote me back a personal response that they are starting to shoot stuff in HD to stockpile a library so that if they start an HD channel in the next few years, they'll have a library ready. Good planning!

They said the reason they aren't getting on it now is b/c they are still trying to get full penetration of their SD channel on all the cable systems, that they can't focus on HD just yet. Makes sense.

[FullBandwidth]

Well it won't be Playboy:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/playboyhdtv070803.html

though Playboy is building an HD studio, and HDNet may start showing some Playboy-produced content.

The next one could be Bravo HD, due to launch 31 July:

http://www.tvbarn.com/ticker/archives/013096.html

Starz HD/Sharper Movies HD is scheduled to launch by the end of the year:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=238613&TICK=NCOR&STORY=/www/story/06-09-2003/0001961851&EDATE=Jun+9,+2003

Surely the visually-oriented National Geographic Channel must have HD plans?

[rajensen088]

Originally posted by ShackShock
Does anyone have any tangible speculation on what non-network channels may go HD next? Obviously, it will be nice when ESPN gets more programming, but still to have a few more channels would be awesome.

I wonder how many people have signed up for DirecTV's HD package? When I made the call yesterday, the rep I spoke to said he had had a few calls already that morning to sign up.

Bravo is reported to be next. I switched from Comcast to DirecTv July 1st specifically to get the ESPN HD package. I was surprised at how well HDNet is both from picture quality and content. I do like MSL and to watch games in HD is a pleasure.

[ShackShock]

If we can get Bravo HD as part of the pre-existing $10.99 package, that would be awesome, especially if it's very soon after the July 31 "turn-on" date. I'd like for us to get another channel or two quickly, or for ESPN to go with more HD telecasts quickly, as my friends wonder why I dropped almost $6k for essentially 4.25 channels (ESPN being the 1/4 channel, and that's being generous).

[rajensen088]

Originally posted by ShackShock
If we can get Bravo HD as part of the pre-existing $10.99 package, that would be awesome, especially if it's very soon after the July 31 "turn-on" date. I'd like for us to get another channel or two quickly, or for ESPN to go with more HD telecasts quickly, as my friends wonder why I dropped almost $6k for essentially 4.25 channels (ESPN being the 1/4 channel, and that's being generous).

ESPN will add more programming but it will take a while. They said the studio shows (Sprtscenter, etc.) will all be in HD next spring. I switched to DirecTV to get many more channels than Comcast offers or will offer in the near future. I'm getting a Channel Master OTA antenna installed tomorrow. I live 28 miles from the Empire state building. I'll have access to the 6 DirecTv hd channels and More than six local channel HD programs OTA. Only NBC and ABC aren't broadcasting in DT - HD OTA, but both are scheduled to resume OTA broadcasts by September 1st this year. I hope they don't ask for any more extensions. The cost of the antenna with installation will be made up in less than a year as I am getting more choices than Comcast offers for 40 dollars a month less in cost.