WeatherHD was just on the DISHHD commerical on ESPNHD Celtics-Pistons
WeatherHD was also on the Dish Network cups given out at NASCAR events.
I'm pretty sure that Charlies' comment (paraphrased) "We only want to add HD channels that have significant HD content" applies to WeatherHD.
WeatherHD was supposed to be 24 hours HD by now, but they had delays in getting their HD studio up and running.
People may laugh, but I think that it will be one of the more compelling channels when it really launches in 24/7 HD, and I'm totally sure it will be on E* when that happens. (Imagine seeing one of those on-location reporters getting swept away in a hurricane - in HD !

)
I also happen to know that E* are actually talking right now with channels about carrying their HD simulcasts. Evidently, it is not quite as simple as "We want to carry your HD channel." "Cool, call our engineering department to arrange an uplink."
I am guessing that some channels are taking advantage of the necessity to arrange for the feed, to require E* to do the next contract negotiation now (i.e. E* can continue at the old price, but only if they don't get the new, i.e. HD. feeds), and if E* wants the new HD feeds, then they need to renegotiate to 2008 prices.
That's only a guess, but it could explain what is going on.
D* is notorious for just agreeing to whatever price, and then passing it on to the consumer (or in some cases, to the stockholders).