New HDTV Package/channels from DirecTV

[Tom Snyder]

– DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider, announced today that it will launch a new high-definition (HD) programming package on July 1. The HD package will include ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater™, HDNet and HDNet Movies, and is available by subscription for $10.99 per month.

In addition to ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet and HDNet Movies, DIRECTV will also provide its customers with special events broadcast in HD, similar to events broadcast in the past, such as USA's coverage of the Masters Tournament, NBA games and NBA TV programming blocks.

"DIRECTV has been a passionate proponent of HDTV since it launched the first coast-to-coast HD-feed more than four years ago," said Stephanie Campbell, senior vice president, Programming, DIRECTV, Inc. "Over the last year, as the HD category has gained tremendous momentum, our customers have told us they want more HD programming. The launch of this HD package reinforces DIRECTV's commitment to the category, and to offering our customers the best quality high-definition programming."

The DIRECTV HD package includes:

ESPN HD – A 24-hour high-definition simulcast service of ESPN that delivers the best lineup of quality sports events, news and information and entertainment telecasts currently available, including games from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association , the National Football League and the National Hockey League. More...
DIRECTV Launches New HD Package
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Discovery HD Theater – Discovery HD Theater is the new 24/7 channel filmed entirely in high-definition. The channel delivers programs about nature, science and technology, geography, travel and world culture – all designed to provide the highest-quality viewing experience available. It offers the world's most spectacular images delivered in the world's most stunning quality. Discovery HD Theater is like having a movie theater right in your own home.

HDNet – A 24-hour network featuring live sports like NHL® and MLS® games, boxing, drama series, concerts and original news and documentary programming including HDNet World Report and Across America.

HDNet Movies – Delivers a 24-hour schedule of blockbuster movie titles from Warner Bros., Sony, and other major studios, as well as made-for-TV movies , independent films and shorts.

With the addition of the HD package, DIRECTV will offer seven HD channels to its more than 11.4 million customers nationwide. DIRECTV customers are currently receiving HBO® HDTV and SHOWTIME HDTV® as part of their premium packages, as well as HD PPV movies for $4.99 each. In addition, under terms of its new five-year agreement with the National Football League for exclusive rights to NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, DIRECTV also plans to begin offering high-definition telecasts of professional football games during the 2003 regular NFL season.

To access HDTV channels, consumers may purchase any HDTV set with a built-in DIRECTV® Receiver or a DIRECTV-enabled high-definition set-top receiver, and a single 18 x 20- or 18 x 24-inch multi-satellite dish with three LNBs. HDTV sets integrated with the DIRECTV Receiver, DIRECTV-enabled HD receivers and triple-LNB satellite dishes are available from authorized DIRECTV retailers nationwide.

[Kevin Arnold]

So then the perennial question comes up...will a subscriber have to get one of the regular packages for $33+ a month and then add on the HD package or (please, please) can the HD package be ordered solo.

[gparris]

For all of us that live in apartments or will soon be (sold house), I say it is time for Time Warner Cable with its massive capacity(so I have heard) to step up to the plate and batter-up with a COUNTERMOVE to Directv's new offerings.

Let's face it forum members, in the recent past year, everytime Directv had NBA or Masters on HD, TWC had it,too.
TWC has had great progress in providing the local HD channels and now, DVRs (SD-soon-to-be HD) creating more of an even "edge" to compete with Directv.

So what is the secret at TWC no one is telling?

I called numerous CSR's at TWC and no one is talking-or-knowing if TWC is offering the same HD package DIRECTV will be.
 
I think that TWC has the ability to offer ANYTHING it wants, if it wants to so maybe it is scared to add anymore now.

According to what I believe I read, Mr. C of the J/S paper, 3,000 HD boxes are rented in the SE Wisconsin area.

IF you take that percentage and multiply it by the millions more TWC nationwide customers and a fee comparable to DIRECTV's new HD package charge-the added value to the HD set owner and TWC's "bottomline" are BOTH met.

So Time Warner Cable-Are you ready to meet Directv head-on again, like before? ( Or does Mr. Cuban scare you?):eek: :bang:

[Sammy]

This is indeed great news,  I'll be adding this by 7/1.  Sure am glad I decided to get the Zenith 520 STB.

Kevin - I was under the impression D* wasn't allowing anyone to get services without a 'base' package.  The only exception being those who had signed up for services that are no longer offered could maintain that service (like HBO without a base package).  I could be wrong though.

I guess I won't be surprised if certain other companies make some annoucments soon (TWC, Dish, I'm looking in your direction).

[sdn10s]

Goodbye STARZ, hello HD!!!

Call DirectTV and they will send the Sat-C kit out for free ($8.00 shipping +tax). Installation instructions can be downloaded as a PDF file from their web site, one page, 6 simple steps. The rep I talked to today said it will arrive in 2-5 business days.

One more thing, you do have to agree to continue service with them for at least another 12 months.

[drgingras]

Originally posted by Sammy

I guess I won't be surprised if certain other companies make some annoucments soon (TWC, Dish, I'm looking in your direction).

Dish already announced HDNet and HDNet Movies for this summer. Announcement was made May 1st. And they already have DiscoveryHD. Things are starting to heat up!

As far as TWC, these national HD channels are already being hawked in Raleigh, NC. Shouldn't take too long for them to appear in other areas now.

Gotta love competition:D

Dave

[Sammy]

Yes, I saw Dish's annoucement, but with no date other than 'summer', I rank it right up there with 'soon' and 'we're working on it'  

I've no doubt that TWC and Dish will step up, just a question of when.  Competition is a good thing.

[Sammy]

Here's something odd.  Channel 215 just showed up on my custom on screen guide labeled as ESPN.  215 shows 'to be annouced' and I get no signal.  But 206 is ESPN and is still coming in fine.

Hopefull thinking: maybe we'll see a little 'free preview' time before 7/1?  Yeah, I know, I'm a dreamer.  I'll go put my tinfoil hat back on now

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by Kevin Arnold
So then the perennial question comes up...will a subscriber have to get one of the regular packages for $33+ a month and then add on the HD package or (please, please) can the HD package be ordered solo.

If it can be ordered solo, I will definitely sign up.  If I have to buy a bunch of other channels, the deal is less enticing.  If you find out, please let me know.

Starving

[Sammy]

I've read on another forum that people have been told that they can the the HD package without a base package.  These were people that already have HBO without a base package.   Also have seen posts that Total Choice Premire subscribers would get a 5$ discount on the HD package.  

All of this is second hand, but I hope it helps.

Edit: Later posts now say that there will be no discount for TCP subscribers.

[bigcheeshead]

So now a better question. If I don't sign up for HDTV package will I loose HDNET, HBOH and ShoH?

[Todd Wiedemann]

Looks like you'll lose just HBO-HD and SHO-HD. Those channels are bundled with their 'brothers' and 'sisters' and will not be in the HD package.

I'm cancelling the HBO package in the last week of June and opting in to the HD package then.

I'll be losing HBO-HD and essentially paying for HDNET but, since I haven't watched a whole lot of HBO-HD, I can live with that for about the same aggregate price, gaining ESPH-HD, DISC-HD and HDNet Movies.