from Verizon FiOS Challenges DirecTV as HDTV Leader, Analysis Shows (http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Pike-and-Fischer-947931.html)

Feb 10, 2009 13:56 ET
Verizon FiOS Challenges DirecTV as HDTV Leader, Analysis Shows



SILVER SPRING, MD--(Marketwire - February 10, 2009) - DirecTV continues to offer the most high-definition channels of any pay TV provider, but Verizon is catching up quickly with its FiOS TV service, according to a new analysis by market research provider Pike & Fischer.
In a new report, "HDTV Service Comparison," P&F finds that as of January 2009, DirecTV was offering as many as 104 channels in HD. But that only beats Verizon's HD menu by one channel, the report shows.
Comcast, the largest cable operator in the United States, has one of the smallest selections of HD channels, according to the study. Comcast in some markets is offering less than 40 HD channels, although the company's marketing focuses on its large selection of HD movies, TV shows and other content available on demand.
Cable networks do not have the same capacity as Verizon's all-fiber infrastructure and DirecTV's satellite coverage, and thus face more constraints on bandwidth for HD channels.
Most providers examined in the study charge a premium price for HD service -- usually less than $10 per month. But some, including Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, offer a substantial number of HD channels for free.
"Some providers have clearly assembled both the physical plant and the contracts with content owners to provide more HD content than their competitors," the report concludes. "But it is important to look at what content is actually being offered, and at what price."
Pike & Fischer, a BNA Business, offers a host of legal and business products covering the telecommunications industry. The report, "HDTV Service Comparison," is priced at $699 and is available for purchase at www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com (http://www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com/). For analyst commentary or to request a briefing, contact Scott Sleek at 301-562-1530 x291 / ssleek@pf.com (ssleek@pf.com). For information about Pike & Fischer's Broadband Advisory Services, visit www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com (http://www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com/) or contact Jonathan Wentworth Ping at 973-718-4703 / jping@pf.com (jping@pf.com).

no mention of dish in the release, and i wasn't going to pay 699 for the actual report

so shouldn't this be in the Direct forum instead of the Dish forum?

Moved to Warzone, not Dish related and shouldn't really be in Directv Forum... :)

The last time I checked there were 106 HD channels in my FiOS TV lineup, which doesn't include a dozen or so pay-per-view channels. By last count, DirecTV is around 28 HD channels behind FiOS TV. Clearly this author is a buffoon who didn't bother to fact check his story since FiOS TV has been both the HD quantity and quality leader for several months. Official AVS National HD Channel Lineups - Cable/DBS/Fiber/IPTV - Updated 1/25/09! - AVS Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081)

In any case, DirecTV is close 2nd of both fronts...but Dish Network is 5th on the HD list (quality and quantity) if you ask my opinion.

they'll be a challenge once it's available in my area who knows when :rolleyes:

they'll be a challenge once it's available in my area who knows when :rolleyes:
I can tell you when they will challenge my area. never....

Uverse maybe....one day......doubtful there also

I can tell you when they will challenge my area. never....

Uverse maybe....one day......doubtful there also

Neither for me. Windstream does my area. Their latest technology advancement
was upgrading the string between the two cans. :(

The last time I checked there were 106 HD channels in my FiOS TV lineup, which doesn't include a dozen or so pay-per-view channels. By last count, DirecTV is around 28 HD channels behind FiOS TV. Clearly this author is a buffoon who didn't bother to fact check his story since FiOS TV has been both the HD quantity and quality leader for several months. Official AVS National HD Channel Lineups - Cable/DBS/Fiber/IPTV - Updated 1/25/09! - AVS Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081)

In any case, DirecTV is close 2nd of both fronts...but Dish Network is 5th on the HD list (quality and quantity) if you ask my opinion.


...maybe the author is hat-tipping to the fact that FiOS just isn't available in enough places to be a serious "national HD leader"

I can virtually guarantee I'll never see it in my area - we're AT&T from the beginning, and there are numerous non-Verizon areas that fall into same boat.

Neither for me. Windstream does my area. Their latest technology advancement
was upgrading the string between the two cans. :(
You have TWO cans???????????Wow!!!!

The last time I checked there were 106 HD channels in my FiOS TV lineup, which doesn't include a dozen or so pay-per-view channels. By last count, DirecTV is around 28 HD channels behind FiOS TV. Clearly this author is a buffoon who didn't bother to fact check his story since FiOS TV has been both the HD quantity and quality leader for several months. Official AVS National HD Channel Lineups - Cable/DBS/Fiber/IPTV - Updated 1/25/09! - AVS Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081)

In any case, DirecTV is close 2nd of both fronts...but Dish Network is 5th on the HD list (quality and quantity) if you ask my opinion.
Not if you include RSNs, which SHOULD be included.

Not if you include RSNs, which SHOULD be included.
RSN's are just as bad as PPV's:p

FIOS Baby..... :D:D

...maybe the author is hat-tipping to the fact that FiOS just isn't available in enough places to be a serious "national HD leader"

I can virtually guarantee I'll never see it in my area - we're AT&T from the beginning, and there are numerous non-Verizon areas that fall into same boat.True, but Cable is in the same boat as FiOS and AT&T since none of them have a national footprint...only D* and E*. Additionally, FiOS TV will surpass Bright House as the Nation's 6th largest Cable MSO in March or April and Verizon appears to be on track to add 1.2 FiOS TV customers during 2009 and surpass Cablevision as the 5th largest Cable MSO by years end. FiOS was widely available where we moved from Northern Virginia and also in certain areas here in North Texas (mostly an AT&T area). Of course, FiOS availability was also a major consideration when we purchased our home. Additionally, satellite is not a viable option for many for a variety of reasons (line of sight, etc.) and nobody is preventing anyone from moving into a FiOS territory.

FIOS Baby..... :D:D
It is my area now and they do offer more of the HD channels I watch (other than EI) than Direct. The only problems are the fact that they have almost nothing to offer in HD on EI (because of the fact that they do not carry the RSNs nationally) and I cannot take FiOS with me when we go to our townhouse in Mammoth.

You have TWO cans???????????Wow!!!!

When I was a kid we had to sleep in a paper bag in the middle of the street!;)

...maybe the author is hat-tipping to the fact that FiOS just isn't available in enough places to be a serious "national HD leader"

I can virtually guarantee I'll never see it in my area - we're AT&T from the beginning, and there are numerous non-Verizon areas that fall into same boat.

Yup. Here in CT there is a grand total of ONE town with FIOS!

When I was a kid we had to sleep in a paper bag in the middle of the street!;)

You had a BAG??????????:D

Not if you include RSNs, which SHOULD be included.

If they are full time, I agree

You had a BAG??????????:D

Well, when I say a bag, I mean, oh never mind. If you tell that to the kids these days they would never believe you! :haha:haha

They could have 10 more HD's BUT OVERALL they are still lacking AND are not in most paces in the CONUS. So if you happen to live in one of the very reare place then have a look; but be sure to look at the ENTIRE OVERALL deal; but for the vast majority of us; they don't matter, they are currently the same to us as VOOM is.

They could have 10 more HD's BUT OVERALL they are still lacking AND are not in most paces in the CONUS. So if you happen to live in one of the very reare place then have a look; but be sure to look at the ENTIRE OVERALL deal; but for the vast majority of us; they don't matter, they are currently the same to us as VOOM is.Until DirecTV (and Dish Network for that matter) run a fiber optic cable into my home and offer unfudged SD/HD, 100/20MB Internet and phone service, they are not a consideration for the millions of us with FiOS.;)

Until DirecTV (and Dish Network for that matter) run a fiber optic cable into my home and offer unfudged SD/HD, 100/20MB Internet and phone service, they are not a consideration for the millions of us with FiOS.;)
Put Fios at the begining of that statement, and Direct and Dish at the end, and you have the sentiments of the rest of us:p

Put Fios at the begining of that statement, and Direct and Dish at the end, and you have the sentiments of the rest of us:p

Good one!

Unfortunately ATT Uverse went the cheap route, otherwise many of us would have had that option. But seeing how busy ATT Uverse is these days, it is no doubt putting a lot of pressure on cable and DBS.

Good one!

Unfortunately ATT Uverse went the cheap route, otherwise many of us would have had that option. But seeing how busy ATT Uverse is these days, it is no doubt putting a lot of pressure on cable and DBS.
True. I do not even foresee Uverse being available here for the next 5-10 years to be honest. If it were I would give it a try for internet if nothing else.

If you love movies Fios is the HD leader for those of us who can get it. Combine it and an HD Tivo with expanded memory and I don't see how you can beat it IMHO.

If you love movies Fios is the HD leader for those of us who can get it. Combine it and an HD Tivo with expanded memory and I don't see how you can beat it IMHO. It can't be beaten.

Just an FYI, FiOS Tops Pay-TV Satisfaction Survey (http://www.satelliteguys.us/verizon-fios/165724-fios-tops-pay-tv-satisfaction-survey.html#post1713907) - customers 11.25% more satisfied than closest competitors.

Who did that survey? Never heard of them, although I admit, I do not keep up with all of the survey companies out there these days. Too many of them, and depending on what you ask, and where you ask it, you can get the results you want.

Did not seem like a very large sample either.

However, my post aside, Fios did well in the consumer reports rankings also if I remember? That is the one I would bring up:up

Who did that survey? Never heard of them, although I admit, I do not keep up with all of the survey companies out there these days. Too many of them, and depending on what you ask, and where you ask it, you can get the results you want.

Did not seem like a very large sample either.

However, my post aside, Fios did well in the consumer reports rankings also if I remember? That is the one I would bring up:upThe research company has a very good reputation of conducting unbiased scientific research, which is why the story was carried by Multichannels News (http://www.multichannel.com/article/174497-FiOS_Tops_Pay_TV_Satisfaction_Survey.php). U-Verse and FiOS finished 1 and 2 respectively on the JD Power survey, but I no longer consider Consumer's Reports rankings to be reliable or unbiased.