Swanni says Direct WILL have 100 HD channels by years end.

[mdonnelly]

...I think that's gonna mirror that DirecTV will also have twice as many HD nationals by the end of October also.

If all goes well for D*, I'll concede that. It should be a refreshing change for D* subs, having been on the short end of that ratio for so long.

Of course, it'll just be a temporary advantage. D* will pay a premium to launch several channels first, but the other providers, E* included, will then add them too. That's the nature of competition.

 

[iceturkee]

i believe the exact number was 75 to 79 by the end of the year according to chase carey during the first quarter webcast.

 

[RealityCheck]

If all goes well for D*, I'll concede that. It should be a refreshing change for D* subs, having been on the short end of that ratio for so long.

Of course, it'll just be a temporary advantage. D* will pay a premium to launch several channels first, but the other providers, E* included, will then add them too. That's the nature of competition.

Knowing how quickly Charlie works with providers, the advantage should be longer than you are making it out to be IMHO.

 

[TulsaCoker]

If all goes well for D*, I'll concede that. It should be a refreshing change for D* subs, having been on the short end of that ratio for so long.

I will definitley concede D* is behind E* on offering HD-Lite channels E* is the leader in that.

 

[harshness]

Directv WILL have more than double the number of HD channels than DISH.

They promised triple.

 

[charper1]

Wasn't the actual quote of promised triple capacity?

 

[ScoBuck]

They promised triple.

I think you have this mixed up with a promise to triple CABLE.

 

[harshness]

I think you have this mixed up with a promise to triple CABLE.

From the CES press release:

With this substantial HD muscle, DIRECTV will offer three-times more HD programming than any other multi-channel distributor, with the majority of these channels launching in Q3.

Dish is one of the other multi-channel distributors and they were indeed talking about programming, not capacity.

 

[ScoBuck]

From the CES press releaseish is one of the other multi-channel distributors and they were indeed talking about programming, not capacity.

My bad! I was referring to the TV commercials I have seen, they only mention cable in them I believe.

But again, at least for me - lets see how it in fact rolls out BEFORE we make our judgements. A lot still has to happen, and a lot CAN happen between now and the end of the year.

And I say again, and from my point of view - the ABSOLUTE number of channels is not that important to ME. The fact that DirecTV put in place the money and built the needed infrastructure and sats to have themselves more than ready - thats what is important to me. The rest of this stuff is just rhetoric anyway.

And from what I am seeing, it is now Charlie that is starting to do the EXACT same thing - yes in a slightly different way (they have always done things in different ways). Bottom line, I don't have D* because of 100 HD channels - I have them primarily for sports and they DO have the best sports offering - better than DISH, better than CABLE, better than FIOS.

 

[charper1]

I stand corrected I was referring to the TV ads, yet I assume with all the current & upcoming HD, the new & current LIL HD, the new & current RSN HD, it might reach that 3x number by end of Q3 07

 

[raoul5788]

From the CES press releaseish is one of the other multi-channel distributors and they were indeed talking about programming, not capacity.

So they claim they will offer three times more hd than other multi channel carriers, the majority by Q3 of 2007. So if they have that done by the end of September, then they have kept their promise, correct? If other providers have, let's say 30 hd channels, which is on the high side, and D* has 50 by the end of September, then they have made good on their promise, yes?

 

[ScoBuck]

So they claim they will offer three times more hd than other multi channel carriers, the majority by Q3 of 2007. So if they have that done by the end of September, then they have kept their promise, correct? If other providers have, let's say 30 hd channels, which is on the high side, and D* has 50 by the end of September, then they have made good on their promise, yes?

I am sure that even if the number they have lit on December 31st is ONLY 99 HD nationals, that some will say they have NOT.

But with all the announcements by DirecTV (and many by the providers themselves) that carriage agreements are in place and so forth, I have no doubt that DirecTV is doing what THEY HAVE TO DO to meet their goals.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

If they have 99 HD channels by December, That would be great.

 

[Jimbo]

If all goes well for D*, I'll concede that. It should be a refreshing change for D* subs, having been on the short end of that ratio for so long.

Of course, it'll just be a temporary advantage. D* will pay a premium to launch several channels first, but the other providers, E* included, will then add them too. That's the nature of competition.

E* won't do much until they come up with more bandwidth as well, ie, borrowing space from another company with a sat in the air already, or waiting for thier own to get built and up and operational.

Jimbo

 

[harshness]

I stand corrected I was referring to the TV ads, yet I assume with all the current & upcoming HD, the new & current LIL HD, the new & current RSN HD, it might reach that 3x number by end of Q3 07

You need to leave the HD LIL out of the discussion because that's one place where DirecTV may never catch up with cable. There is some serious bias going on at the FCC regarding SV that may give cable the upper hand for some time.

The goal date is the end of 2007. The additions are planned to begin in September. The reality may be better or worse.

 

[ScoBuck]

The goal date is the end of 2007. The additions are planned to begin in September. The reality may be better or worse.

you think?

 

[harshness]

you think?

As much advertising and press releasing as DirecTV devotes to telling the world of their plans, it confounds me how their disciples can consistently misquote or misunderstand them. I guess it would be pretty boring if everyone were on the same page.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

I guess If you don't read Directvs plans ,Your right !! They would be misunderstood. If everyone wasn't so worried about Directv's HD kicking every other providers A@# ,Other people and Companys wouldn't be looking to find fault in Directv's claims of HD programming.

 

[slick1ru2]

I saw a commercial today bashing cable that said DirecTV will soon have 150 HD channels. So how do they get THAT number??? How about a list of the Nationals most likely on it. More importantly, how much content will these nationals broadcast in HD and not upresolution garbage in 4:3? I would love to see the PBS HD feed.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

I saw a commercial today bashing cable that said DirecTV will soon have 150 HD channels. So how do they get THAT number??? How about a list of the Nationals most likely on it. More importantly, how much content will these nationals broadcast in HD and not upresolution garbage in 4:3? I would love to see the PBS HD feed.

I rest my case !!! Go on Directvs website http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900034 and you will find the answer.Here's another http://www.hdtvtechno.com/dbslineup.htm