BravoHD+ to be Universal HD on Dec. 1

[borghe]

I posted this in the news forum but figured I would also post it here being this is unmoderated. If the mods don't like they are certainly free to delete.

Personally, this now makes me 100x happier about DirecTV carrying "Bravo" over TNT (note I am not an NBA fan).

Official Press Release

'Universal HD' to Offer Hundreds of Hours of HD Programming Featuring Best HD
Content from the NBC Universal Library


Englewood Cliffs, NJ – November 9, 2004 – NBC Universal Cable will relaunch
Bravo HD+ to Universal HD, offering the best programming from the NBC Universal
library in HD, beginning December 1, it was announced today by David Zaslav,
President, NBC Universal Cable and Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable
Entertainment and Cross-Network Strategy.

"The acquisition of Universal provided us with an opportunity to offer an even
more compelling HD service," said Zaslav. "The launch of Universal HD is a
testament to our commitment to offer more meaningful content that meets the
needs of our distributors and viewers. It is the first of many ways that NBC
Universal will deliver high-quality programming on a new platform such as HD and
VOD."

"The extensive NBC Universal library allowed us to create the pre-eminent
entertainment HD service," said Gaspin. "There is a lot of excitement around HD
right now, and we wanted to be ahead of the curve with the highest-quality HD
programming out there. We are drawing from all corners of NBC Universal's vast
entertainment and sports libraries to provide a channel with appeal to viewers
and cable operators. This is the kind of entertainment channel owners of HD
sets have been asking for."

At launch the network will be available to more than 25 million subscribers
through distribution deals with DIRECTV, Cablevision, Cox, Insight, Mediacom,
Voom and others.

Universal HD will feature blockbuster films, unedited and uninterrupted,
including "Backdraft," "Back to the Future," "Billy Madison," "Far and Away,"
"Jaws," "The River Wild" and "Sea of Love;" award-wining dramas including SCI
FI's "Battlestar Galactica," USA's "The District," "Karen Sisco," "Law & Order:
SVU" and "Monk;" top rated sports such as the US Open and the 2004 Summer
Olympics and performance arts and entertainment.


Universal HD will be presented as Bravo HD+ was, as a distinct channel with its
own unique schedule. Marketing efforts supporting Universal HD include targeted
local and national digital HD campaigns. Additionally, NBC Universal will cross
promote through its resources of broadcast and cable networks. Specific
programming information and schedules will be available at a later date.

About Universal HD
Universal HD, an NBC Universal Cable network, launched in fourth quarter 2004 is
currently available to more than 25 million homes in 100% 1080i HD, 24/7.
Universal HD offers the best of NBC Universal's library in HD. Programming
includes unedited and uninterrupted films, award winning dramas, series, sports,
specials and performance arts programming all from the Universal library.

About NBC Universal Cable
NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent
media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth
including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV and retransmission consent, and
oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of twelve
properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Telemundo,
Trio, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also
directs and manages the company's cable and new media investments including A&E,
The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel,
National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and Tivo

[gparris]

I had mentioned this under another post, but the official release is always the best, thank you borghe!:)

Now, I wonder how long TWC will take to get this channel, now that is it is patting itself on its back with the not-so-recent addition of ESPN-HD channel?

Considering how awful the TWC analogue channels of USA and Sci-Fi  are, this would be a HD-blessing!:D

[borghe]

that's EXACTLY what I was thinking.. D*'s USA and Sci-Fi aren't much better (well, USA is actually alright but sci-fi kind of stinks sometimes). Will be awesome to see the shows mentioned. here is to hoping that they also include the Stargates, 4400, Dead Zone, etc.

[gparris]

I didn't realize, borghe, that Directv's compression had got so bad since I left them back in late spring of 2003.
Sci-Fi and USA always seemed somewhat clearer than the side by side comparisons I did when I had both Directv and TWC, even on a 32" analogue TV and a 65" HDTV sets than cable, back then.

Maybe by the time TWC gets its "act together" it will be January (my prediction) for the Universal HD Channel to appear in TWC's "HD Package" along with the 5 HD channel setup option it already has.
My reasoning is that every beginning of the year it usually means there is a cable price increase buffered with some additional channels (to make us subscribers "feel better") so by adding this HD Channel at the very least, to say nothing about the Cinemax HD channel being added (that TW owns to begin with) would be a good thing since the increase is almost inevitable somewhere along the line of increase for subscribers.

Just my take on it...TWC always adds price increases in the beginning of every year and usually tries to "sweeten" the event by adding more channels, and with this one, I could "stomach" it better, even if the "HD Package" went up a buck or two for 6 HD channels in the "HD Package" vs. what it started at with only 2 (INHD 1 & 2 originally) to begin with...IMO.

[borghe]

well mind you I can't compare to cable because well, I haven't had cable for almost 10 years. When I say they look bad I am talking a) compared to HD (dud), and b) compared to what the channels were 4+ years ago.

as for TWC picking this up, I guarantee it won't happen until after the change. BravoHD+ is NOT compelling right now. I really believe DirecTV picked Bravo up partly because they had wind of this change, and partly because of the associated connection ebtween Tivo, DirecTV, and Universal.

[gparris]

I forgot that I did another comparison, though not side-by-side, when a friend of mine went to TWC for the HD DVR when they came out and dumped Directv service.
First we watched channels, 18,24,34 (USA), 55(Sci-Fi) and 64 (The Weather Channel) on TWC and switched back to her Directv feed before it got disconnected...Directv seemed a little clearer, with less visual noise....this was when TWC just came out with the HD DVRs THIS year.

As for "Universal HD" channel, I never expected that TWC would have it for subscribers until it changes formats and into its name and then and only then.. TWC gets a chance to raise our annual cable rates for January, "justifying" its increases like it always does.

[gparris]

Originally posted by gparris
[B
As for "Universal HD" channel, I never expected that TWC would have it for subscribers until it changes formats and into its name and then and only then.. TWC gets a chance to raise our annual cable rates for January, "justifying" its increases like it always does. [/B]

Just got my billing for December and included in it is the new pricing for TWC for bills due in January.

So far, the only thing I can think that went up, at least for my billings, are the following:

The "DigiPic" packages went up $2 for DigiPic 1000,2000 and 4000.
Starz! Channel Package adder went up to $10.00 from $8.95
Encore ("Digital Movie Lovers Package") went up from $3.50 to $3.95.
So if you have this, which I do, my entire bill went up $3.50.
The HD DVRs and SD DVR service pricing is neatly laid out as are the equipment fee rentals and the SD DVR service did go up to $5.95, but none the rest of them went up, though.
Pricing for Internet and Digital Phone appears the same, too, as well as the HD Package, holding at $6.95 from last year.

But as for "justifying", this didn't mean no increase, just a smaller one than I thought I'd get, but that is just me.

Now for the bad part (other than the $3.50):

No mention of any new HD Channels for December:
This means no "Universal HD" Channel that you Directv HD subscribers will enjoy soon.

But I am staying "tuned" as I know mhz40 cannot say anything and keep his job...but please tease us a little, okay?:cool:

[borghe]

posted this on AVS.. My Tivo has started filling in what looks to be actual UniHD programming.. some of it seems ok, some of it meh.. honestly at this point between UniHD and TNT-HD it seems to be a wash (with me not really caring about either). Anyway, for those with DirecTV here is what we have to look forward to starting a week from tomorrow (note that some stuff probably will change, like the TBA's and what not):

74 BRVH - Wed 12/1
12:00 am Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dolls
1:00 am Touching Evil Justine
2:00 am The District Old Wounds
3:00 am The Calling: Live From Italy Not an Episode--Program Info
4:00 am Craig David: Live From Costa Rica Not an Episode--Program Info
5:00 am Goo Goo Dolls: Live From Alaska Not an Episode--Program Info
6:00 am india.arie: Live From Bahia Brazil Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 am 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games: Show 1 Not an Episode--Program Info
11:00 am Mister Sterling Pilot
12:00 pm The District Explicit Activities
1:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
2:00 pm Concorde Affaire '79 Not an Episode--Program Info
4:00 pm Mister Sterling Pilot
5:00 pm The District Explicit Activities
6:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 pm Backdraft Not an Episode--Program Info
9:30 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Risk
10:30 pm The District The Second Man
11:30 pm Welcome to New York Pilot

74 BRVH - Thu 12/2
12:00 am Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Risk
1:00 am To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
2:00 am The District The Second Man
3:00 am Joe Zawinul Not an Episode--Program Info
4:30 am Marcus Miller Not an Episode--Program Info
6:00 am Branford Marsalis Concert Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 am 2004 US Open Not an Episode--Program Info
11:00 am Century City Pilot
12:00 pm The District Drug Money
1:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
2:00 pm Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Not an Episode--Program Info
4:00 pm Century City Pilot
5:00 pm The District Drug Money
6:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 pm Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Not an Episode--Program Info
9:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
10:00 pm Century City To Know Her
11:00 pm The District Free-Fire Zone

74 BRVH - Fri 12/3
12:00 am To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
1:00 am Century City To Know Her
2:00 am The District Free-Fire Zone
3:00 am Orchestra Aragon Not an Episode--Program Info
4:30 am Peter Cincotti Not an Episode--Program Info
6:00 am Suzanne Westenhoefer Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 am 2004 US Open Not an Episode--Program Info
11:00 am The District Faith
12:00 pm The District Old Wounds
1:00 pm The District The Second Man
2:00 pm The District Free-Fire Zone
3:00 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Resilience
4:00 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dolls
5:00 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Risk
6:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
8:30 pm The Skulls III Not an Episode--Program Info
10:00 pm Touching Evil Justine
11:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info

74 BRVH - Sat 12/4
12:30 am The Skulls III Not an Episode--Program Info
2:00 am Touching Evil Justine
3:00 am 2004 US Open Not an Episode--Program Info
7:00 am The District Faith
8:00 am The District Old Wounds
9:00 am The District The Second Man
10:00 am The District Free-Fire Zone
11:00 am Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Resilience
12:00 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dolls
1:00 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Risk
2:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
3:00 pm Mister Sterling Next Question
4:00 pm Century City To Know Her
5:00 pm Touching Evil Justine
6:00 pm Karen Sisco Dumb Bunnies
7:00 pm To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
8:30 pm Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice Not an Episode--Program Info
10:00 pm Backdraft Not an Episode--Program Info

74 BRVH - Sun 12/5
12:00 am Brewster's Millions Not an Episode--Program Info
2:00 am Welcome to New York Pilot
2:30 am To Be Announced Not an Episode--Program Info
3:00 am Journey to the Far Side of the Sun Not an Episode--Program Info
5:00 am 2004 US Open Not an Episode--Program Info
9:00 am Brewster's Millions Not an Episode--Program Info
11:00 am Stealing Christmas Not an Episode--Program Info
12:30 pm Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice Not an Episode--Program Info
2:00 pm Mister Sterling Next Question
3:00 pm Century City To Know Her
4:00 pm Touching Evil Justine
5:00 pm Karen Sisco Dumb Bunnies

[gparris]

Nice schedule, borghe, though the tossup between TNT-HD and Universal HD channels is unclear as we don't yet know what they might have yet for sure. Redoing a network can take time and NBC probably has them sort of under-the-gun for time and this channel's  programme offerings.  

I really think this is just the beginning and it still looks like different programming than TNT-HD, so it is a choice.

It would be a choice, that is, if TWC was planning on offering it also, but I just got off the phone with the main office and asked around, not happy with just one answer.
The answer is that  for 2005,  no Universal HD Channel is in the plans, but the negotiations are with the movie HD adders like Cinemax HD and Starz! HD channels, so far.

Looks like when TWC added the ESPN-HD channel, that was the last adder for awhile...

[Skipjack]

honestly at this point between UniHD and TNT-HD it seems to be a wash

Well, if UniHD isn't showing stretched pan & scans, I'll take UniHD over TNT any day.

[gparris]

Moderator/Admin guys...
Please change the Bravo HD site link to the following:
http://www.universalhd.com/

Why? Because it is accurate and it now works!

Thanks in advance...:wave:

(Now, if only TWC got this channel!):cool:

[Tom Snyder]

All set on the Home page link! Thanks for the heads up!