Thread: Verizon FiOS Challenges DirecTV as HDTV Leader, Analysis Shows

from
Verizon FiOS Challenges DirecTV as HDTV Leader, Analysis Shows

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


. For analyst commentary or to request a briefing, contact Scott Sleek at 301-562-1530 x291 / ssleek@pf.com. For information about Pike & Fischer's Broadband Advisory Services, visit
www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com


or contact Jonathan Wentworth Ping at 973-718-4703 / 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

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

Originally Posted by rey_1178

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

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

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

Originally Posted by msmith198025

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.

Originally Posted by riffjim4069

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

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.