OMW has heard through various online sources that Time Warner Cable is launching more HD channels across the country, though apparently not on the same schedule in each area.
The first of the new HD wave was TBS-HD, the former WTBS cable feed now split off from its former over-air Atlanta sister station. That came in early in Northeast Ohio, in time for the American League Division Series playoff race involving the Cleveland Indians.
We're hearing lots of online rumors, but no confirmation, that other channels added to the list could include: CNN-HD, Food Network HD, and perhaps the History Network's HD feed. Some of these networks have already launched other TWC systems, even in other parts of Ohio.
But for now, the only new channel on Time Warner Cable's Northeast Ohio system today is one that isn't (at this time) available to local cable subscribers in HD - the FOX Business Network, that company's answer to CNBC, on SD digital channel 185.
After reading this press release, we found it on our own TWC lineup on the former Adelphia system based in Cleveland. Regular OMW readers and Cleveland area viewers might recognize one of the new on-air personalities - reporter Adam Shapiro, who left Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS/5 "NewsChannel 5"'s "Good Morning Cleveland" some time ago looking for a job in New York City.
There actually IS an HDTV version of FOX Business, which is available to DirecTV subscribers with the proper equipment (MPEG4 receivers with the appropriate dish). OMW has no idea if that will migrate to cable, but we'll assume no, for now.
DirecTV is now advertising over 70 new HDTV channels, as a part of a new wave the satellite service started adding a month or so ago.
There should be an asterisk somewhere. For example, there is precious little HD programming on the HD version of the TBS network - aside from the baseball playoff games. And some of these new networks are nearly 95% upconverted standard definition. Much of what CNN-HD's offers in high-definition comes solely from studio shows from the network's New York City studios.
But it's "planting a flag" for the day that the overwhelming majority of TV programming will be in HDTV, many years down the road...
Monday, October 15, 2007
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2 comments:
It's doubtful northeast Ohio's Time Warner will add much HD channels in the near future compared to the rest of the country. They don't even have all the available local HD stations. Where's the CW HD on Time Warner? Their HD broadcast has been available via antenna since earlier this year. Thanks to another poster I found out ATT has good HD offerings including all the locals and they're finally installing in my area. Hate to leave what I'm used to, but Time Warner NE Ohio is just too slow adding HD channels. 2009 is fast approaching, so it'll probably take the FCC ruling recently passed to force them to carry what they should. I guess you can tell I'm disappointed with TW.
Keep in mind, the FCC ruling has nothing to do with HDTV. All it mandates is digital signals and shut-off of analog signals, not actual HD content on those digital signals. Pillar boxed SD via the network's digital channel would satisfy the FCC mandate. At no point are any networks required to show any HDTV. I read an article in the Plain Dealer a few weeks ago saying that in 2009, because of the FCC mandate, all NFL games will be shown in HDTV (in response to complaining Browns fans). I wrote them and got no response, but that is totally wrong. Again, the mandate has nothing to do with actually showing High Definition content.
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