I wasn't aware cable and broadband services had to launch satellites to expand programming (the same cable and broadband services direct claims to beat in terms of hd capacity in their latest commercials).
You got me there, Questioner... or is that TVBob? You're right... cable services don't have to launch satellites to expand programming. They have to replace hundreds (or thousands) of miles of copper cables with an equal number of miles of fiber optic lines-a much more expensive, time consuming and labor intensive proposition. Or, cable companies could just shut down all their analog channels and go all digital... forcing the vast majority of their customers into renting digital STBs when they never had to before.
As for broadband services, they are still building out their fiber optic networks, and their impact on the subscription TV is minimal right now, outside of the buzz factor.
And while dish may not have capacity to launch a slew of new channels, they are already leading directv in the hd wars so they may not need new sats to hold that lead or at least stay equal.
Hmmm... 30 channels vice 70.... 29 HD LiL markets vice 49 increasing to 100... E* will have to have a LOT of spare capacity they're not using right now to even "stay equal", much less "hold thier lead."
I don't think you understood the 2nd part of that, I have no doubt CNN and other major networks will be launching in hd later this year, but it won't be on directv exclusively. Meaning if they are on many different providers, that doesn't exactly help directv become the hd leader.
Whether or not they do, what other provider is going to have the dedicated HD capacity first? D*.