DIRECTV to Offer 100 National HD Channels in 2007

[Shane]

DIRECTV is hailing 2007 as the "Year of HD" with the planned launch and carriage of 100 national high-definition (HD) channels. With this substantial HD muscle, DIRECTV will offer three-times more HD programming than any other multi-channel distributor, with the majority of these channels launching in Q3.

DIRECTV also announced today...

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2007/01/directv_to_offe.php]Read the Full Article[/url]

[w4klv]

Isn't DirecTV misleading us when it claims all these HD channels? Are most of these new channels merely local stations all over the nation? To suggest that all those channels are available to subscribers is misleading. Doesn't the Dish network have more original HD programming choices available in any one subscriber?

[dshauf]

You should read and not think so much, the 100 national high-definition (HD) channels are new HD channels, not new locals Please read article before posting: new HD
- A&E
-- National Geographic
-- Bravo
-- NFL Network
-- Cartoon Network
-- SciFi Channel
-- CNN
-- Speed
-- Food Network
-- TBS
-- FX
-- The History Channel
-- HGTV
-- The Weather Channel
-- MTV
-- USA

[johnharbo]

I wonder what hardware upgrades will be required to view the two new satellites. Last time they did such expansion, you had to buy a new antennae and climb up on your roof to replace it and repoint it. DirecTV did not pay for that.

Does anybody know whether changes in hardware will be necessary?

[rlbray]

I wonder what hardware upgrades will be required to view the two new satellites. Last time they did such expansion, you had to buy a new antennae and climb up on your roof to replace it and repoint it. DirecTV did not pay for that.

Does anybody know whether changes in hardware will be necessary?

It's the new/larger dish they have been installing for anyone getting the MPEG-4 HD locals. Requires use of the HR20 receiver which they lease (replaces the HD Tivo which only supports MPEG-2). As I remember, costs range from zero to $99 for the new dish (which includes contractor installation).

[glinde]

Actually, if you upgrade your HD service with DirecTV to either their new HD receiver or their even newer HD DVR, the price (I paid $199 for the DVR) includes installation of the receiver and the upgraded dish.

[jgurley]

USA Network, Sci Fi Channel, TBS, Cartoon Network, CNN and other channels are readying to launch simulcast high-definition networks by the end of the year.

CNN announced plans to launch an HD network in September at its opening session at the Television Critics Association's semiannual press tour, while an NBC Universal spokesperson confirmed the company will launch a "suite of HD networks." NBCU would not set an exact time table. A Turner spokesperson also confirmed HD networks for TBS and Cartoon Network.

Find more at TV Week http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=11336

[akirby]

Actually, if you upgrade your HD service with DirecTV to either their new HD receiver or their even newer HD DVR, the price (I paid $199 for the DVR) includes installation of the receiver and the upgraded dish.

Or if you're a 10 yr customer with good history you can get a HR20-700 DVR and new dish installed for $70 (or less).

[rtywonia]

What about Starz and Cinemax - I can't believe they have not signed an agreement with them.