Todays News

Comcast Delivers Six High-Definition Channels In Denver

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:43:38 +0000

Comcast is now expanding its high-definition expansion in several markets in order to keep pace with satcasters DirecTV and Dish Network. Dish Network has announced the addition of 22 new HD channels yesterday. Comcast has also added six new High-Definition channels in the Denver area.

The new channels added are:

ABC Family HD

Disney Channel HD

Food Network HD

Home & Garden TV HD

The Science Channel HD and

TLC HD

Comcast is also planning to offer more than 1,000 HD movies and TV shows available on its video-on-demand services in all markets.

DISH Network rolls out 22 new High-Definition channels

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:40:54 +0000

Dish Network has announced plans of its HD programming expansion with the launch of an additional 22 national HD channels beginning Monday, May 12. Dish Network is moving towards its target of 100 national HD networks by year-end. With these additions Dish Network will reach 95 channels and match its rival DirecTV in delivering HD channels as DirecTV almost have same number of HD channels without adding any new HD channels recently. The Channels included in the HD line-up are:

ABC Family HD

Biography HD

Bravo HD

Cartoon Network HD

Cinemax 5 Star HD

Cinemax HD West

CNBC HD

CNN HD

Disney HD East

ESPNews HD

Hallmark Movie Channel HD

MGM HD

Sci-fi Channel HD

Smithsonian HD

Tennis Channel HD

Toon Disney HD

Travel Channel HD

USA Network HD

Weather Channel HD and

World Fishing Network HD

From Wednesday, May 14, Dish Network will also add

Comcast Sports Network Bay Area HD and

Comcast Sports Network New England HD Channels

`We are excited to extend our competitiveness in HD by enhancing our already comprehensive HD lineup with these 22 channels, bringing our total HD lineup to over 95
channels,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “These launches, along with other recent additions such as the New England Sports Network (NESN) HD, reinforce our commitment to offer the best in entertainment.”

“The Ellen Degeneres Show” to be Broadcast in High Definition from Monday, September 8

admin — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:55:12 +0000

The Ellen Degeneres Show will go high-definition this fall after moving its production operations to a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility on the Warner Bros. Studios. Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions, and Jon Gilbert, President, Warner Bros. Studio Facilities has announced that The Emmy Award winning talk show will begin its sixth season in high-definition on Monday, September 8. The show has been renewed through 2010 - 2011 will be shot from the completely tapeless Stage 1 complex, and considering the 50-percent increase in seating capacity, quite a few more guests will be able to squeeze in and check things out live.

“We are thrilled to move production of ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ to the Warner Bros. lot as we begin the sixth season. The lot will provide an exciting, new creative playground allowing Ellen and the producers to innovate fresh comedic elements into the show and letting Ellen’s comedic playfulness shine through,” said Estey McLoughlin. “The vibrancy and bustling activity of the lot, along with access to the Warner Bros. talent working there, will create new energy, excitement and added spontaneity to the show, while also enhancing our production values.”

NBC News Launches iCue

admin — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:38:05 +0000

NBC Learn has launched iCue a free online community that will combine games, video and discussion for students of age 13 and up with the help of NBC’s vast video news archive. NBC Learn is the educational arm of NBC News which will use NBC’s vast video news archive is news source for 13 and up, iCue stands for Immerse, Connect, Understand and Excel, inviting users to “immerse” themselves in self directed and peer-supported active learning using hundreds of videos and other resources from the NBC News archives; “connect” with friends and peers through discussion forums, personal networks, and by sharing learning resources, comments, thoughts, and insights; deepen their “understanding” of core content through thought-provoking games and online challenges; and “excel” in coursework or personal learning goals while building critical thinking and 21st century communication skills. ICue is a dynamic and content rich experience, immersing users in EdutainNet — education, entertainment and peer networking. With this launch, iCue will provide number of topics, including U.S. history, U.S. government and politics, and English language and composition.

Dish Network to use fiber optics in Apartments

admin — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:29:57 +0000

Dish Network launched a ‘fiber-to-the-home’ system that can offer up to 400 High-Definition channels to apartment buildings and condo dwellers. The service is called Dish Optical Network programming is delivered via satellite to a base system that can support up to 128 apartments in an MDU. The fiber-to-the-home system can expand the programming capacity and allow users to operate more receivers. Dish Network says the Optical Network will enable each unit to have up to six receivers, including an HD DVR. Dish Network will begin offering the Dish Optical Network to multiple-dwelling-unit properties by the end of the year.

Time Warner Cable Reaches Carriage Deal with BabyFirstTV

admin — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:33:45 +0000

Time Warner Cable has entered a carriage agreement with BabyFirstTV, America’s first and only channel dedicated to child-development programming. Time Warner is to join other multiple system operator’s (MSO) like DirecTV, DISH Network, Comcast, Charter and AT&T to carry the 24/7 commercial-free network for babies and toddlers. BabyFirstTV has now carriage agreements with providers to reach 80% of the US market.

BabyFirstTV has carriage agreement with BSkyB in the U.K., CanalSat in France and Bell ExpressVu and Rogers Cable in Canada and reaches more than 90 million homes globally.

“BabyFirstTV’s outstanding child-development programming—all developed under the guidance of recognized experts in education and pediatrics—is being embraced by families across the country and throughout the world,” said Glenn Kopelson, the executive VP of distribution for BabyFirstTV. “We are extremely delighted to have forged this important alliance with Time Warner Cable and look forward to bringing the unique power of BabyFirstTV to its affiliates.”

Time Warner has announced the winners of its annual National Teacher Awards

admin — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:29:36 +0000

Time Warner Cable has announced the winners of its annual National Teacher Awards on Thursday. Time Warner for the past 18 years have honored teachers from coast to coast with Time Warner Cable’s National Teacher Awards, and the winners will encourage others to follow their lead, bringing enrichment and innovation to nation’s classrooms. The winners will receive a $2,000 cash award, a $3,000 technology grant for his/her school, and will be honored during an awards gala June 3 in Washington, D.C.

Time Warner Cable to Launch Planet Green HD on June 11

admin — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:51:25 +0000

Time Warner Cable will launch the Discovery’s new HD channel Planet Green on Channel 768 in Brooklyn and Queens, New York area on June 11. Time Warner is also planning to launch on the same day the international premium NTV America on channel 523 and The Jewish Channel on channel 528. In Mt. Vernon area Time Warner will reposition the following channels:
ABC Family HD from channel 739 to 740
HD Theater from channel 706 to 767
ESPN HD from channel 728 to 760
ESPN2 HD from channel 729 to 761
MSG HD from channel 712 to 756
SNY HD from channel 726 to 758
MOJO from channel 721 to 796
HDNET Movies from channel 723 to 797 and
HDNET from channel 724 to 798.
In Mt. Vernon area Time Warner has postponed the launch of ESPN NEWS HD and M HD scheduled on April 30th.

NCAA licenses 34 bowl games along with St. Petersburg Bowl

admin — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:02:47 +0000

St. Petersburg Bowl formed by ESPN Regional Television, which is owned and maintained by ESPN will be officially part of college football’s bowl lineup for the season 2008-09. NCCA has approved The St. Petersburg Bowl on Wednesday in South Florida along with other 33 bowl games for the season. ESPN already has five other postseason college football bowls like the New Mexico Bowl, the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl,
the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl and the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.
St. Petersburg Bowl one of the 34 licensed by the NCAA for next season will debut in Tropicana Field between Dec. 20-23 this season. The bowl will feature teams from the Big East and Conference USA. After NFL released the schedule, St. Petersburg Bowl organizers has changed the original schedule of Dec. 21 kickoff to Dec. 20.
“The St. Petersburg Bowl is another great bowl opportunity for the Big East,” Commissioner Michael Tranghese said on the Big East Web site. “The game is played in a Big East market and already has generated great interest in the local community. Our coaches are always excited to play a post season game in the state of Florida.” Newly formed The St. Petersburg Bowl will join 32 bowls returning from last season and newly approved “Congressional Bowl” in Washington, D.C.

DirecTV’s 2008 First Quarter results

admin — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:37:36 +0000

DirecTV has announced it’s first Quarter 2008 beating the expectations of analysts adding 275,000 subscribers in this quarter an increase of 17% comparing the same quarter last year. The satcaster’s revenue has increased to $4.05 in this quarter. Net income has seen an increase of 10% from 336 million to 371 million and earnings per share has gone up by 19% from $0.27 to $0.32.

“DirecTV’s first quarter results highlight the overall operational and financial strength of our company. Our strategy of offering the best television experience to higher quality customers continues to drive superior financial results,” said Chase Carey, president and CEO of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.

Carey added, “As we discussed at our Investor Day earlier this year, we expect 2008 to be a year in which we take DIRECTV to a whole new level in terms of profitability and cash flow growth. We took an important step toward this goal in the first quarter as DIRECTV U.S. generated $603 million in cash flow before interest and taxes, representing a 76% increase over the prior year. We are confident that we will build on this momentum through initiatives such as further extending our leadership position in content, HD, DVR and interactive services, launching a video-on-demand service and improving customer service both in terms of cost but more importantly, quality.”