Direct TV Dish

DIRECTV is now offering local HD programming to customers in the Augusta, Ga. designated market area. DIRECTV is offering following broadcast networks in HD:
WJBF/ABC
WRDW/CBS and
WFXG/FOX.
DIRECT TV plans to add additional HD stations as they become available. With the addition of Augusta, DIRECTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 82 cities, representing more than 77 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECTV continues its expansion of HD programming with the launch of local HD channels in Augusta and will add 39 more HD local channel markets by the end of 2008, when DIRECTV will provide local HD broadcast channels in 121 cities, representing more than 88 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECTV leads the industry in the delivery of HD and now offers more than 130 HD channels.

DIRECTV is now offering local HD programming to customers in the Lincoln, Neb. designated market area. DIRECT TV started its HD expansion last week, when it started delivering new high-definition channels. The satcaster has announced that they are offering local high-definition programming to customers in the Lincoln, Neb. designated market area. KLKN/ABC, KOLN/CBS and KHAS/NBC are the broadcast networks available in these areas. After this launch, DirecTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 79 cities, representing nearly 77 percent of U.S. TV households.

DIRECTV’s launch of local HD channels in Lincoln is a part of the HD expansion plan that includes the addition of 44 new HD local channel markets by the end of 2008. With those new markets, DIRECTV will provide local HD broadcast channels in 121 cities, representing more than 88 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECT TV also recently expanded its HD programming lineup and now offers more than 130 HD
channels.

Spike TV to premiere on Sunday, August 24 10:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT, ‘S.I.S.,’ A ‘Spike Guy Movie’ in high-definition about secret Unit Of Los Angeles Police Department. The film stars Matt Nable, Peter Stebbings, Omari Hardwick, Colleen Porch and Keith David. “S.I.S.” is presented as part of Spike TV’s “Spike Guy Movies” umbrella of original movies. Since its launch in January 2008, Spike TV’s original “Spike Guy Movies” average nearly 1.5 million viewers each month.

DIRECTV has announced that they are implementing Entropic Communications’ Channel Stacking Switch technology to broadcast HD programming. This technology will be incorporated in DIRECT TV’s SWM-ODU dish units. The dish unit delivers the full suite of DIRECTV’s high-definition programming directly to all of the consumer’s set-top boxes in the home via a single wire. Additional benefits of CSS technology include greater customer acceptance due to improved aesthetics, shorter installation times, decreased customer installation wait time, and the ability to easily support upgrades where the consumer can add additional STBs by plugging them in with no new wires or truck rolls needed. Entropic’s core CSS technology supports up to 12 tuners and enables the simultaneous reception of multiple channels from multiple satellites over a single wire.

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.

HDNet’s highly respected weekly news program “HDNet World Report,” has been awarded with the CINE Golden Eagle Award in the Professional News Division for “Turkey at a Crossroads.” “HDNet World Report” news program reveals the recent Turkish elections, told through the eyes of Hande Atay-Alam — a Turkish journalist who normally covers the United States for Turkish viewers. HDNet World Report receives fourth major award of the season. The program will be aired every Tuesday at 9:00 ET as a part of the network’s News and Documentary programming night. Dennis O’Brien is the executive producer of World Report.

Fox Sports Network (FSN) has announced that they will be broadcasting all the College Football games in high definition this year. This is according to www.hdsportsguide.com that the FSN will bring about 31 College Football Games in high-definition. 2008 NCAA Football games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U and ABC are also to be in high-definition.

DIRECTV bring “DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket” package for sports lovers with various newest features for this season. DIRECTV’s exclusive programming gives football fans up to 200 NFL games, which is the most available collection of games. NFL Sunday Ticket package brings up to 14 games every Sunday, along with a “Highlights on Demand” feature, pre-game coverage and other related extras but cable television only gives viewers an option of about four games every Sunday. This programming option has been sought after for years by home town fans who have relocated and find it difficult to view out of market games.

DIRECTV’s 2008 NFL Sunday Ticket Features are:

Player Tracker

Enhanced Games

NFL SUNDAY TICKET Highlights-on-Demand

NFL SUNDAY SNAP

Pregame Coaches Shows

NFL Europe League

Up to 25 Channels of NFL Action

The Learning Channel (TLC) has announced that the “The Singing Office” will be launched on June 29. The Singing Office, will be co-hosted by Mel B and Joey Fatone, the two former Dancing stars, and will pit office workers against each other. The Singing Office will surprise two workplaces and give on the spot auditions to workers in the office. The Singing Office will be aired on The Learning Channel on Sundays at 9 p.m.

The Fox affiliate in Baltimore WBFF-TV started its high-definition newscasts from June 2 at 5:30 and continued its broadcast with its 10 and 11 p.m. newscast. The Fox affiliate WBFF is first to switch to high-def newscasts in Baltimore area. WBFF General Manager Bill Fanshawe said “I don’t know if it’s the same as going from black and white to color, but it’s comparable, Fox45 has always found new and better ways to serve our viewers. In 1991, we launched the first and only 10 p.m. newscast in the market.”