TWC HD 2007 plans

[wireblsam]

http://www.cable360.net/cableworld/technology/standards/20293.html

And Time Warner Cable, which has been at the vanguard of switched digital rollouts, appears as bullish on HD as any operator in the industry. "What we've seen is that HD is becoming a true force rather than a niche audience," says Julie Simon, VP of video product management. Using switched digital, her company is planning on adding in excess of 20 new HD channels in 2007.

So this begs the question, which is more likely:

A) TWC actually adding 20 new HD channels in 2007

B) My sleeping with a supermodel

Given TWC's past history, I'm going with B.....

[Jimbo]

What on earth woud be shown on 20 more HD channels?  I don't see the point of adding more HD channels until there is more HD content.  As it stands we are wasting HD space on reruns of Hogan's Heros.  

I'm all for freeing up the bandwidth with switched digital and even downsizing the analog offerings to have more HD capability but if all that gets us is upconverted episodes of Webtser  what's the point?

[gparris]

What on earth woud be shown on 20 more HD channels?  I don't see the point of adding more HD channels until there is more HD content.  As it stands we are wasting HD space on reruns of Hogan's Heros.  

I'm all for freeing up the bandwidth with switched digital and even downsizing the analog offerings to have more HD capability but if all that gets us is upconverted episodes of Webtser  what's the point?

What a crock...do you work for TWC?

My guess is that you don't really watch many of the HD channels we DO have, certainly not enough to realize that there IS more on than what you mentioned to make an intelligent discussion on this topic
...too bad for you.:guitar:

Your negative attitude does not help us get more HD channels on TWC.:bang:

[mhz40]

What a crock...do you work for TWC?

My guess is that you don't really watch many of the HD channels we DO have, certainly not enough to realize that there IS more on than what you mentioned to make an intelligent discussion on this topic
...too bad for you.:guitar:

Your negative attitude does not help us get more HD channels on TWC.:bang:

I don't know Jimbo... and as most know here, I work for TW.  I agree with him.  Content right now is low.  Why do you think iNHD2 is going dark in January?  I see an ESPN II HD, several premiums, half-a-dozen 'regular' cable channels in HD and the full complement of off-airs worth of new content.  I don't see it adding up to 20 channels right now.  But don't worry, they will fill up.
Don't buy that 4-post bed.  There is no supermodel in your future...  lol
Our comments here will not add or delete content.  Consumer demands will; which means we all need to talk-up HD to our family & friends whenever possible.  We're all preaching to the choir here in the forums, but we feel good doing it!

[Jimbo]

What a crock...do you work for TWC?

My guess is that you don't really watch many of the HD channels we DO have, certainly not enough to realize that there IS more on than what you mentioned to make an intelligent discussion on this topic
...too bad for you.:guitar:

Your negative attitude does not help us get more HD channels on TWC.:bang:

First of all calling me an idiot and making assumptions about my viewing habits won't help anything.
 
I do watch enough HD and check the program guide enough to know whats available.  90% of what I see being available is lots of upconverted programing and shows I don't care for.  I will not watch a program in HD that I would not watch otherwise.  Obviously more HD channels means more choices but if those choices include stuff I don't want to watch then it really doesn't matter.    

What you seem to want is HD for the sake HD with no regard for content or the source.  An attitude like yours will only bring us the HD equivalant of ESPN 47 and not real choices in HD programming.

[wireblsam]

Didn't mean to start a feud here....

What is the list of available channels? (if you exclude Voom)

ESPN2
StarzHD
CinemaxHD
TMCHD
National Geographic HD
A&E HD
Versus HD
MHD
NFL Network HD
Extra Innings/Center Ice/League Pass HD (sounds like this one is on a few TWC systems now)

I'm sure there will be some PPV/VOD HD offerings added in, but I still see the 20 number as a little out of reach (as much as I would like it).

PS - Is the January date on INHD2 official?

[gparris]

First of all calling me an idiot and making assumptions about my viewing habits won't help anything.
 
I do watch enough HD and check the program guide enough to know whats available.  90% of what I see being available is lots of upconverted programing and shows I don't care for.  I will not watch a program in HD that I would not watch otherwise.  Obviously more HD channels means more choices but if those choices include stuff I don't want to watch then it really doesn't matter.    

What you seem to want is HD for the sake HD with no regard for content or the source.  An attitude like yours will only bring us the HD equivalant of ESPN 47 and not real choices in HD programming.

No, I never once called you an idiot, only your comments seemed without much thought, sort of what I hear from those folks who watch HDNET's way-to-many reruns.

Point is, there is a good deal of programming on current HD channel offerings that either you don' t see in HD (Smallville and Enterrprise in HD because of Sinclair and TWC fighting-on HDNET).
As for me, I am glad to see these shows...my choice...but for you to lump them is with the examples you gave to make a point is ridiculous and thoughtless, IMO.

The MORE HD channels we get, the greater chance of better, original HD programming....and choices!

GOT IT?

[gparris]

Didn't mean to start a feud here....

What is the list of available channels? (if you exclude Voom)

ESPN2
StarzHD
CinemaxHD
TMCHD
National Geographic HD
A&E HD
Versus HD
MHD
NFL Network HD
Extra Innings/Center Ice/League Pass HD (sounds like this one is on a few TWC systems now)

I'm sure there will be some PPV/VOD HD offerings added in, but I still see the 20 number as a little out of reach (as much as I would like it).

PS - Is the January date on INHD2 official?

Add Outdoor HD if available, FOODHD and HGTV HD also - some VOOM channels would also be great - these are quite popular with Dishnetwork subs.:wave:

[borghe]

the thing you guys are forgetting... well, not forgetting but not taking into account, are that there are plenty of current HD channels that aren't typically carried because of bandwidth. there are also many channels out there who are not going to HD specifically because they know carriage isn't there right now. Look at A&E. By all accounts they launched already and no one has the room to carry them. And then there are channels like TCM, which Turner has already said he realizes the demand is there for an HD version, but doesn't feel the carriage is there.

Next year you will see HD channels rollout on an order of magnitude higher than we've ever seen before, including local rollouts. Dish, DirecTV, FIOS-based, and switched-video based cable co's will all have the capacity for 150+ high definition national channels. They will be looking to grab up every HD channel that debuts, and I guarantee you WB, Universal, Viacom, Disney, and others are looking at this as a faster ROI on an HD channel rollout while at the same time making good marketing waves with a new HD channel. If Warner went ahead and rolled out TCM right now, practically no carrier would be able to pick them up. If Warner rolled out TCM next year, they would probably have carriage on the majority of televisions across the country.

I mean you think it's crazy that TWC is talking about 20 additional HD channels in 2007, how about DirecTV who is talking about 30 channels by Mar 2007? Obviously these companies know something that is not being discussed in this thread. It is unlikely that two major players in the industry are both pulling numbers from their butt at the same time.

Trust me, once the providers have the available room, the studios are going to rush to be the first to get their popular cable channels on HD to increase viewrship and ad revenue.

[flash]

I just want my SciFi in HD.:rock:

[markd]

I just want my SciFi in HD.:rock:

I'll second that :cool:

[Talos4]

We get more HD channels. (whoopee)   :rolleyes:

In my view, for the short term (1-3 years) most of the channels will be like TNT.

"Stretch-O-Vision", old shows from film (ala Hogans Hero's) and theatrical movies "formatted to fit your screen and time constraints"    and the constant Law and Order marathons on not just one channel but two!

I've reviewed what's on the "numerous" Voom HD channels.  I mean really Kung Fu 24/7?

I think networks such as Discovery have the right idea.  Starting to produce original programming in HD and presenting it as simulcasts. (Discovery Atlas among others)   That pleases both audiences. Plus it begins to build a database of HD programming.

Patience is a virtue.  Early adopters sometimes run short.