Sat and ESPN HD: Still Waiting for a Deal

[Gregg Lengling]

It's been a week since ESPN took the wraps off its
new high-definition network. And while ESPN has inked
agreements for delivery of ESPN HD with a number of
cable companies, the sports programmer hasn't yet won
carriage for the HDTV offering on satellite TV.

DirecTV spokesperson Robert Mercer said the satellite
TV company has held discussions with ESPN concerning
carriage of its HD feed, but the sides have not yet
reached an agreement.

Marc Lumpkin, spokesperson for EchoStar, said the
company's DISH Network hasn't recently added any new
HD channels "but we are always discussing new content
with our programming suppliers."

ESPN HD launched March 30 on cable systems operated by
Insight, Cox, the National Cable Television Cooperative,
Service Electric Cable TV, Utilacom and Comporium
Communications. Collectively, the operators serve
more than 22 million subscribers.

ESPN said on March 27 it would announce additional
agreements over the next several weeks.