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By CRAYTON HARRISON / The Dallas Morning News
Essay: Falling in love again - with HDTV
Chances are, Mr. Sophisticated has just paid a lot of money to watch the same old picture blown up to a bigger size. If he's like most high-definition TV set owners, he doesn't really have high-def programming on the screen.
Less than one in four owners of HDTV sets actually subscribe to cable or satellite channels that broadcast in crisp, clear high-def. In other words, fewer than 2 percent of television-owning households – about 2 million homes – subscribe to HD programming, though nearly 9 percent own an HDTV-ready set. About 1.2 million households have digital tuners to get HD signals over the airwaves.
Broadcasters aren't terribly concerned that many HDTV owners aren't watching HD programs. Consumers will eventually migrate to HD programming, they say, noting the resources the industry and government have put into HDTV's development.
"This is no different than every technology before it," said Mark Cuban, president of high-definition network HDNet LLC, in an e-mail. "The market will grow as the price points of HDTVs fall."
But the disparity shows that just persuading consumers to buy newfangled televisions won't automatically create HD-craving viewers. HD broadcasters still have several obstacles to surmount to build an audience:
• Indifference. Many HDTV set owners don't know why they'd want HD programming, believing they already have a good-looking picture on their digital screens.
"Anything put into their TV set looks better," said Lee Simonson, a purchasing executive at Best Buy Co.
• Confusion. Some consumers think they're getting high-definition pictures when they're not.
"You'll talk to a guy who's got an HDTV monitor and has digital cable, and he brags about having HDTV, and you're like, 'No you don't, you have digital cable and a really nice monitor,' " said Jenny Miller, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Association.
• Few choices. Until November, Comcast Corp.'s cable subscribers in the Dallas area couldn't subscribe to HD channels even if they wanted to. Satellite services such as News Corp.'s DirecTV and EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish Network began offering HD packages earlier, but their packages of channels have only recently expanded.
Timing their entry
Broadcasters are trying to delicately time their entries into HD programming. If they jump in too early, they'll lose money on channels that can't attract advertising because of poor viewership. If they wait too long, viewers may have built loyalty to other channels.
The Discovery Channel took the leap last year, unveiling the nature documentary-rich Discovery HD Theater channel. The timing was finally right, said Clint Stinchcomb, a senior vice president at the channel, owned by Discovery Communications Inc.
"I think there is a combination of factors in place today that have never been in place before," he said. "HD set prices are declining. Set-top box prices are declining, and that's enabled cable to roll it out aggressively. And there's pressure from the FCC to make the conversion, so you're seeing increased content."
The availability and variety of HD content has improved. Cable operators now offer HDTV channels in 99 of the top 100 television markets, making it possible to send HD to 84 million of the 108 million television-watching U.S. households, including most cable viewers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
DirecTV and Dish Network have offered HD channels for years. A third service launched last year, Voom, offers the widest variety of HD content, with 21 exclusive HD channels.
Both cable and satellite now have more content to carry. ESPN, Bravo and Discovery launched their HD channels last year, joining stalwarts HBO and Showtime, which started their HD channels in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Mr. Cuban's HDNet has been available on DirecTV since 2001 and joined Dish Network's lineup last year.
More channels are on the way, including HD versions of TNT and the Outdoor Channel. Broadcast networks, meanwhile, are offering more content in HD, and cable and satellite providers are beginning to include those programs in their services.
HD enthusiasts believe more choices will persuade people to buy subscriptions for HD programming. But many consumers still don't know what HD programming is.
A Consumer Electronics Association survey in September asked respondents across the country whether high-definition TV and digital TV were the same thing. (They're not – HDTV is a form of digital TV.) About 55 percent answered correctly, but 21 percent were wrong and 24 percent said they didn't know the answer.
"They'll tell stories about some guy who walks up and says, 'I've got HDTV,' and it becomes clear as the conversation goes on that he has digital cable," Mr. Rodriguez said. "There's this frustration. There's just this confusion."
Even people who own televisions capable of displaying HD programming don't necessarily understand what HD is, and some don't appear greatly concerned with the quality of the image on their screens.
Consumers have no choice but to move to HD programming eventually, said Mr. Cuban, who also owns the Dallas Mavericks.
"People buy what is sold to them," he said. "As the price point of HD set-top boxes fall, then [major cable operators] will push people towards HD set-top boxes simply because they want to push people in that direction."
By CRAYTON HARRISON / The Dallas Morning News
Essay: Falling in love again - with HDTV
Chances are, Mr. Sophisticated has just paid a lot of money to watch the same old picture blown up to a bigger size. If he's like most high-definition TV set owners, he doesn't really have high-def programming on the screen.
Broadcasters aren't terribly concerned that many HDTV owners aren't watching HD programs. Consumers will eventually migrate to HD programming, they say, noting the resources the industry and government have put into HDTV's development.
"This is no different than every technology before it," said Mark Cuban, president of high-definition network HDNet LLC, in an e-mail. "The market will grow as the price points of HDTVs fall."
But the disparity shows that just persuading consumers to buy newfangled televisions won't automatically create HD-craving viewers. HD broadcasters still have several obstacles to surmount to build an audience:
• Indifference. Many HDTV set owners don't know why they'd want HD programming, believing they already have a good-looking picture on their digital screens.
"Anything put into their TV set looks better," said Lee Simonson, a purchasing executive at Best Buy Co.
• Confusion. Some consumers think they're getting high-definition pictures when they're not.
"You'll talk to a guy who's got an HDTV monitor and has digital cable, and he brags about having HDTV, and you're like, 'No you don't, you have digital cable and a really nice monitor,' " said Jenny Miller, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Association.
• Few choices. Until November, Comcast Corp.'s cable subscribers in the Dallas area couldn't subscribe to HD channels even if they wanted to. Satellite services such as News Corp.'s DirecTV and EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish Network began offering HD packages earlier, but their packages of channels have only recently expanded.
Timing their entry
Broadcasters are trying to delicately time their entries into HD programming. If they jump in too early, they'll lose money on channels that can't attract advertising because of poor viewership. If they wait too long, viewers may have built loyalty to other channels.
The Discovery Channel took the leap last year, unveiling the nature documentary-rich Discovery HD Theater channel. The timing was finally right, said Clint Stinchcomb, a senior vice president at the channel, owned by Discovery Communications Inc.
"I think there is a combination of factors in place today that have never been in place before," he said. "HD set prices are declining. Set-top box prices are declining, and that's enabled cable to roll it out aggressively. And there's pressure from the FCC to make the conversion, so you're seeing increased content."
The availability and variety of HD content has improved. Cable operators now offer HDTV channels in 99 of the top 100 television markets, making it possible to send HD to 84 million of the 108 million television-watching U.S. households, including most cable viewers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
DirecTV and Dish Network have offered HD channels for years. A third service launched last year, Voom, offers the widest variety of HD content, with 21 exclusive HD channels.
Both cable and satellite now have more content to carry. ESPN, Bravo and Discovery launched their HD channels last year, joining stalwarts HBO and Showtime, which started their HD channels in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Mr. Cuban's HDNet has been available on DirecTV since 2001 and joined Dish Network's lineup last year.
More channels are on the way, including HD versions of TNT and the Outdoor Channel. Broadcast networks, meanwhile, are offering more content in HD, and cable and satellite providers are beginning to include those programs in their services.
HD enthusiasts believe more choices will persuade people to buy subscriptions for HD programming. But many consumers still don't know what HD programming is.
A Consumer Electronics Association survey in September asked respondents across the country whether high-definition TV and digital TV were the same thing. (They're not – HDTV is a form of digital TV.) About 55 percent answered correctly, but 21 percent were wrong and 24 percent said they didn't know the answer.
"They'll tell stories about some guy who walks up and says, 'I've got HDTV,' and it becomes clear as the conversation goes on that he has digital cable," Mr. Rodriguez said. "There's this frustration. There's just this confusion."
Even people who own televisions capable of displaying HD programming don't necessarily understand what HD is, and some don't appear greatly concerned with the quality of the image on their screens.
Consumers have no choice but to move to HD programming eventually, said Mr. Cuban, who also owns the Dallas Mavericks.
"People buy what is sold to them," he said. "As the price point of HD set-top boxes fall, then [major cable operators] will push people towards HD set-top boxes simply because they want to push people in that direction."
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2361 views
M
My prediction (fingers crossed) is that by 2007 half of what is available to watch will be HD.
DarrellP said:
My prediction (fingers crossed) is that by 2007 half of what is available to watch will be HD.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
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354 views
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
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940 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
67110 Replies
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2662369 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
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33 views
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
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353 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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10 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
WANTED DirecTV LCC
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
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302 views
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.
I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
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200 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
6 Replies
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103 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching
www.syfy.com
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics
The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
39 Replies
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5647 views
