Charlie Chat Recap 3-09-09

[buckchow]

The problem with TCM going high def (and I think the reason they havn't yet) is the studios have not made high def transfers of 80% of the movies they own in their catalog yet. ....

I know, and TCM has made it clear that they have no interest going HD in the near future. I was just using it as an example to try to make a point. Subscribers are requesting popular channels that carry plenty of HD content, and Dish just goes ahead and adds more channels that are less popular and carry a relatively limited amount of HD content.

I guess in regards to everything else, I have to disagree. I have been happy with what Dish has been offering, they are even adding my locals in HD for Duluth, Minnesota this month, I am very content now. Considering where they were 8-9 months ago, I think Charlie has made leaps and bounds and deserves SOME credit.

The existing lineup of HD channels is very good. For the company to remain competitive however, it needs to be improved. Also, while the lineup is good, how bandwidth is allocated to each of the HD channels is not. This is probably why I'm getting so fired up about the group of Viacom channels being added. Your locals will be on a spotbeam I'm sure, and those seem to be given the amount of bandwidth they need. National channels are a different story. The way Dish handles their HD channels, less bandwidth is generally given to channels that air mostly real HD programming, and more bandwidth is given to channels that air mostly upscaled SD programming. By adding a bunch of new channels that are mostly upscaled SD, those new channels with further eat away at bandwidth needed by channels airing lots of real HD programming. At a minimum, they should be grouping all of the mostly-SD HD channels together on the satellite transponders so that they can't interfere with the mostly-HD HD channels. It would be a very simple change to make, but they just aren't thinking straight these days, so until they are there is probably going to be an increase in complaints about picture quality on national HD channels.


All negativeness aside, glad you'll have your HD locals at last. They're definitely much easier to get via satellite than OTA.

[jwgreen68]

This was a pretty good Chat.

I like CMT and my grand-daughter will like Nick. I would like TMC in HD, those old black and white classics in HD would be spectacular. I've got Showtime too.

Too bad Speed and FX didn't make the list, Charlie's comment was that their current contract runs out this summer (?) and they're "negotiating." I love that NASCAR allstar race, the guys let it all hang out with no points at stake, just money and glory.

CONGRATS Mr. GREEN! I wondered if that was you when I heard the name read by Jim. We'll be "green" with envy.

Best regards,
Fitzie

Thanks!

[buckchow]

I would like TMC in HD, those old black and white classics in HD would be spectacular. I've got Showtime too.

TMC (The Movie Channel) will be in HD, but it sounds like you're thinking of TCM (Turner Classic Movies) except for the Showtime part.

I would definitely take TCM HD over TMC HD any day. Won't be happening any time soon, but I'd take it very happily. I'm sure TMC will have some good programming in HD, but not any B&W classics.

[Fitzie]

laddyboy asked "Why does a contract have to expire before a new one can be struck?"

It probably doesn't, but Dish may be having difficulties coming to terms on adding SpeedHD and FX-HD as add-ons to the current contract. Dish may be paying hefty fees for Speed and FX in SD already, and feels it will be cheaper in the long run to just wait. It's possible the owners of the Speed and FX signals may just price themselves right off of Dish Network. That's apparently what happened with Smithsonian, based on Charlie's comment in the Chat, and is also happening with the Fisher group of channels. We'll just have to hope that doesn't happen (those of us that care one way or the other).

[DBS Commando]

Now that Dish has a new deal with Viacom, does anyone thing NickGas will finally be shut down and the n/noggin will be split once and for all?

[Fitzie]

TMC (The Movie Channel) will be in HD, but it sounds like you're thinking of TCM (Turner Classic Movies) except for the Showtime part.

I would definitely take TCM HD over TMC HD any day. Won't be happening any time soon, but I'd take it very happily. I'm sure TMC will have some good programming in HD, but not any B&W classics.

Yes, good catch! I was definitely thinking of Turner Classic Movies, I'm a long-time fan of that channel. I'm also glad to have TMC-HD, but I watch more TCM than TMC. I mentioned Showtime because I'm a big fan of "Dexter," and the picture quality on Showtime is usually excellent.

(I edited my previous post to make the correction.)

Regards,
Fitzie

[fredp]

It's possible the owners of the Speed and FX signals may just price themselves right off of Dish Network.

24 was absolutely great tonight. Oh... the Chuckles Chat which I DVR'd took me 10 minutes to get through it... With no FX or SPEED on the horizon for god knows how long the rest is crap to me. Thanks Charles... what would Jack Bauer do..

[Fitzie]

I'm enjoying my locals in HD, which I just recently got. "House" before the Chat was good. It reminded me how much better HD is.

[dfergie]

Thanks for the Re-cap Don.

Your Welcome I think I'm through but request's for something in there will be taken...

[aperry]

dfergie - In your list of "More HD Local Markets Coming Soon", you are missing Ft. Smith, AR.

Interesting thing about them too is that one of the guys in engineering at the local station said they were being told mid March by Dish. So who knows? I know what I'm rooting for!!!

Thanks for the recap!