Direct TV Dish

National Geographic Channel has launched real-time simulation game “Habitat Rescue! With National Geographic Channel” partnering with RealNetworks. National Geographic Channel’s game in which users help a pride of lost lions restore their natural paradise. The game is the centerpiece for the launch of NGC’s new online game site, http://www.natgeotv.com/games, which includes a collection of hundreds of Real’s games, categorized to align with NGC’s content and brand: Animals & Nature, Science & Technology, History & Events, Exploration & Adventure, People & Places, and Preserve Our Planet.

Lifetime Television will pay a special on-air and online tribute on Friday, July 25 to Estelle Getty, who played the cantankerous “Sophia Petrillo” on the iconic comedy series “The Golden Girls.” Ms. Getty passed away today at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 84.
Lifetime will air 10 episodes showcasing “Sophia” in all her blustering, sarcastic splendor, beginning with the show’s pilot. The last episode at 4:30PM will be the #1 favorite “Sophia episode” as decided through a vote of her legion of devoted fans at myLifetime.com.

HDNet Movies subscribers will get a chance to sample some of the early work that helped solidify Spielberg’s position as a top Hollywood director, including “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and “Jaws” as HDNet Movies is to celebrate director Steven Spielberg with six of his greatest films in six days. The tribute kicks off on Monday, July 28 at 8:05 p.m. ET with Spielberg’s first theatrical film, “The Sugarland Express ” starring Goldie Hawn and William Atherton. Tuesday, July 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET is the drama “Empire of the Sun,” on Wednesday, July 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET it’s “Duel,” on Thursday, July 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET is the classic film, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” and On Friday, August 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET it’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” The celebration wraps up on Saturday, August 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET with the classic thriller “Jaws” starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw.

‘IN PLAIN SIGHT’, newest original scripted series returns to USA Network for the second season. USA Network has ordered for 16-episode and the production will start from October. IN PLAIN SIGHT will once again be shot entirely on location in and around Albuquerque, NM. David Maples has created, written and executive produced the series and star Mary McCormack returning. Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, USA original programming & co-head, original programming, Universal Cable Productions has announced the relaunch of the series.

DIRECT TV to include Major League Baseball’s new cable channel MLB Network, based in Secaucus, N.J, in its basic programming package to be launched on January 1. MLB’s new channel is expected to reach 50 million homes during its launch. Tony Petitti channel’s CEO said “We will have the definitive highlights show in the last hour of the studio each night, ESPN has very good talent, and we will need a strong team that people see as entertaining and credible.”

Outdoor Channel signed popular outdoor TV host and fishing expert Bill Dance for a new series entitled Bill Dance Saltwater. Launching in Outdoor Channel’s popular “Friday Night Fishing” block on January 2, 2009, Bill Dance Saltwater follows Dance as he unveils a plethora of easily accessible saltwater fishing destinations right here in North America.

“We aim to give the viewers the information and confidence to say, ‘Hey, I can do that too,’” said Dance. “This series will introduce anglers to amazing fishing destinations right in their own backyards, and we will also prepare them with the background they need to really have an excellent fishing experience.”

SPEED, a sports cable television networks has integrated Neural-THX Surround professional products for their HD programming schedule covering NASCAR, Grand Am, IndyCar and more. A market leader in developing advanced audio and surround sound technologies, Neural Audio Corporation has announced this on Tuesday. The Neural-THX Surround MultiMerge and Neural-THX UpMix professional products allow broadcasters and networks to manage their stereo and surround sound content so that the viewer at home receives a constant, natural and enveloping surround sound experience.Bruce Shapiro, coordinating technical producer for SPEED said “Neural-THX Surround has significantly helped bring SPEED into the HD and 5.1 world with tremendous ease and simplicity, The MultiMerge and UpMix units keep us covered across a variety of HD efforts.”

Animal Planet will premiere seven-part series WHALE WARS this November. Animal Planet’s series draws attention to this global conservation issue that has caused friction between several nations over the practice of whaling in oceanic territories. This year’s campaign was particularly eventful with multiple engagements, capsizing, possible hostage-taking and alleged shooting, and Animal Planet crews were onboard to document it as it unfolded.

ESPN Deportes is offering the most complete Spanish-language All-Star coverage, with all events presented live from Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, July 13 through Tuesday, July 15. The television network’s All-Star coverage will begin with the 2008 Futures Game Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m. ESPN Deportes‘ commentator team features Ernesto Jerez, former major leaguer Candy Maldonado and Carolina Guillen. Guillen will provide in-game interviews from the World Team dugout.

Animal Planet and Comcast Invite South Bay Area Residents and Their Pets to Join in Free Fun When Animal Planet Expo Rolls Into Town Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. ANIMAL PLANET EXPO, now in its 11th year, to celebrate and support the connection between people and animals. The award winning traveling summer tour has entertained, educated and inspired over one million people; stopping in cities all across the country and this year is no different! Animal Planet and Comcast, plus national sponsors the makers of Fresh Step(R) litter and Purina(R) and local sponsors Saturn, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the San Jose Earthquakes invite everyone in the family, including the family pet, to explore the wonder of wildlife, celebrate the important role animals play on this planet and to enjoy the experience that is ANIMAL PLANET EXPO. ANIMAL PLANET EXPO comes to San Jose on Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27, from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.