showtime 2 hd station

[G-Man]

October 2, 2003

Showtime To Launch Second HDTV Movie Channel Dec. 1

Showtime Networks will launch its second high definition television (HDTV) channel, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD, on December 1, 2003. The company will transmit an East Coast feed of Showtime Networks' all movie service in the highest picture resolution format available -- 1080i -- with the original widescreen aspect ratio (16:9) to preserve theatrical presentation. The announcement, made today by Mark Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Communications for Showtime Networks, reinforces the company's commitment to providing its premium subscribers with the highest quality home entertainment experience.

In December, HDTV titles on THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD will include "Bandits," "Hardball," "Novocaine," "Rollerball," "Sidewalks of New York," "What's the Worst that Could Happen?" and many others. With 75 percent of the service's primetime schedule offered in HD, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD will also feature Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

The new Showtime Movie Channel HD adds value to the Showtime pay service which is not included in the HDTV package on popular satellite services like DirecTV. Clients who want to watch HDTV movies or original programming on Showtime HD need to spend as much as an additional $10 per month for the service. Now they will get a second channel for their fee.

Logistically, converting modern feature films to HDTV is relatively easy and cost effective. From D5 master tape which movies tend to be archived on, Hollywood studios can easily convert a copy of their film master to an HDTV format like 1080i. Modern feature films (post-1992 in most cases) also have surround sound tracks already recorded for the film thus running them in Dolby Digital or DTS is also a feasible and cost effective option for HDTV broadcasts. With this is mind and millions of HDTVs being sold nationwide, expect to see more and more HDTV content come from Hollywood's archives. It becomes a source of new revenue for the studios and also prepares their catalog for any pending "HDTV DVD" formats like the illusive Blue Laser Discs that may pop up in the next few years.


we will see how long twc gets it.
G-man

[G-Man]

didn't see it in the "latest news" forum