DIRECTV is finally getting back into the HD business in a serious way, announcing that they will add 30 new high definition channels in the next few months. The additions will bring the total number of HD channels up to 160, at least according to their own count.
The announcement came one day after Dish Network’s assertion that they now have 200 HD channels. Blogs and news sites, this one included, quickly challenged Dish Network’s fuzzy math calculation. The insertion of 57 new HD video on demand channels suddenly catapulted Dish Network to the 200 mark, with only a few problems getting in the way. The first issue is that the 57 channels are only available to those who have the latest Dish Network DVR. The new Slingloaded ViP 922 has just hit the market, so very few Dish customers have the latest model. The second problem being that these so called “channels” are simply repeats of the same movies over and over, and pay per view movies nonetheless meaning they have an additional fee attached each time they are watched.
DIRECTV fired back of course and while they are adding several significant HD channels that have been missing, they too are padding their numbers. Big name channels that will be added soon include Travel Channel HD and MSNBC HD. In addition, Chicago Cubs fans will be treated to games in hi-def as WGN HD will finally be added as well.
Sports fans will be treated to a few addition HD channels as well as GolTV HD, ESPNU HD, FSN Florida, and two CSN HD channels will be added. Lifetime HD and several Starz, HBO, and Showtime premiums in HD will also debut. Univision HD is also on the docket for Spanish DIRECTV subscribers. DIRECTV also confirmed that a handful of 3D channels will be added in June including ESPN 3D in time for the FIFA World Cup. Overall, DIRECTV listed 23 specific channels that will be added in high definition. So what about the other seven HD channels?
At the end of the press release, the company points to “addtional DIRECTV Cinema channels” which of course references pay per view movie options. While seven new HD pay per view channels is much less offensive than the 57 claimed by Dish Network, it still should not be tallied as an HD network. Of course with millions of dollars on the table when it comes to satellite TV subscriptions, don’t expect either company to be completely honest about what they are really offering to the consumer. Potential customers need to evaluate satellite TV bundles closely before forking over their money.
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Im wasnt happy about the direct TV service….took forever to talk to them and they couldnt hook up their satellite here