Seeing our current president in HD just isn't enough for CBS, which is "readying its technical plant in order to broadcast both political conventions in summer 2008 in high-definition." Reportedly, the network is hoping to have its new HD control room ready to roll for the Democratic National Convention in Denver next August and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis the month after. Furthermore, CBS is also looking to beam out the Evening News with Katie Couric in glorious HD, which should become a very real possibility as soon as the aforementioned control room is fully overhauled.CBS gears up for HD election coverage
Seeing our current president in HD just isn't enough for CBS, which is "readying its technical plant in order to broadcast both political conventions in summer 2008 in high-definition." Reportedly, the network is hoping to have its new HD control room ready to roll for the Democratic National Convention in Denver next August and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis the month after. Furthermore, CBS is also looking to beam out the Evening News with Katie Couric in glorious HD, which should become a very real possibility as soon as the aforementioned control room is fully overhauled.
High School Musical 2's HD debut is exclusively on DirecTV
CW Network going all-HD next season, including WWE in January
We worried that The CW Network wouldn't be able to broadcast HD every night when it was originally announced, but it recently revealed that all of its dramas and comedies for the upcoming 2007-2008 season will be produced in high definition with surround sound. Unfortunately wrestling fans were left out of the party, but no longer, as PW Insider is reporting that SmackDown is finally going 1080i in January, following tests of HD technology by WWE over the last few months.[Thanks, delldude360]
Read - WWE Going HD this January
Read - CW 2007-2008 Premiere Dates
ABC.com's free online HD player is live
[Via LostRemote]
Don't forget; the 24 hour Live Earth concert in HD starts at 4am
NBC Nightly news to go HD on March 26th
While we knew March was the month that the first national nightly news cast would go HD, Broadcasting and Cable is now reporting that Monday March 26th is the Virgin Media, Buena Vista ink deal to give UK more HD on demand
While UK users were recently able to catch America's biggest game in crisp HD glory, it now looks like HD lovers on the other side of the pond have even more reasons to celebrate. In a recent deal between Virgina Media and The Walt Disney Company's Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), hit network series such as Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Daybreak, Ghost Whisperer, Night Stalker, and Alias will soon be available in high-definition via Virgin's TV-on-demand service. Although further details were scant, it was also noted that this was probably not the last deal the UK would see in terms of adding additional HD on demand offerings this year, and while a specific timetable wasn't set, Virgin Media stated that the content should be available "before month's end."Survivor Fiji in HD? Update: No it's not
There has been one question that new HDTV fans have asked over and over again "When is Survivor going to be in HD?" According to the CBS.com the answer is February 8th 2007. Over the years we have come to trust their grid and although it has not always been 100% accurate in regards to what is going to be in HD, we are hoping that this time it is right. We may have to wait till next week to find out for sure, but if it is indeed going to be in HD, than this is truly a watershed moment, like with Good Morning America went HD. **Update** Ken H from AVS has confirmed with CBS, Survivor is NOT in HD this season.
[Via HDTVMagazine]
Why you should check out the State of the Union Address
Other than to hear how the ol' Union is doing this year, HDTV fans have another reason to check out the State of the Union Address tonight. We all know that it takes a lot of work to get HD programming to your HDTV and like many things in life some have more success than others. That is what makes the SOTU so unique, it is one of the only opportunities we have to truly compare the networks. The reason why this is such a great comparison is because in the past all the networks have used the same video pool. This means that all the networks are using the same cameras, and since you're using the same HDTV as you switch channels, that only leaves all the other stuff in the middle to judge. This year HDNet is also going to cover the event and although the other networks haven't confirmed their HD coverage, we will assume they will cover the event in HD, based on their coverage from the past few years -- well everyone except Fox who has previously covered it with Fox Widecreeen rather than HD. So while your checking out the SOTU tonight switch between all the feeds and look for a poll tomorrow.
Life/Style IPTV content jumps to WNBC New York
New York's WNBC is well-known for its pioneering attitude towards high definition, and just like it broke new ground by delivering the local news to viewers in crisp HD, the channel is making waves again by offering up made-for-IPTV content on one of its digital channels. Not too long after seeing made-for-mobile content heading to the tube, Life/Style Television, an IPTV channel that caters to "affluent consumers," will soon be making the leap to broadcast television as well. The channel's original series, "LX.TV 1ST/LOOK: NYC," will be beamed out OTA on WNBC 4.4; additionally, cable customers will be able to catch the daily half hour show by tuning in on Time Warner, Comcast, or Cablevision. The program, which will introduce completely new episodes on a weekly basis, will take viewers around various NYC hotspots, and include first-hand experience with "nightlife, restaurants, shopping, kids activities, and fitness and wellness destinations." So if you're anxious to take on the city, but don't exactly feel like fighting the bustling crowds, you can tune in at 8:00AM, 11:00PM, or 2:00AM to catch the fresh programming.Some celebrities shying away from HD cameras
It's all but unanimous that sports programming looks entirely more appealing in high definition than in SD, but for folks on the other side of the cameras, adding all that detail can be intimidating, if not embarrassing. While the "grain structure of film allows for a softness" that lends a hand in covering up the not-so-attractive signs of aging, HD cameras tend to capture that raw, unassailable truth that some celebrities are less than fond of. Diane Sawyer, the 61-year old host of ABC's Good Morning America, reportedly acknowledged that the puffiness under her eyes could no long be covered up, as viewers looking on in HD "could see every flaw." To combat the newfangled "problem" posed to many on-camera stars, makeup firms are devising new "airbrushing" techniques to add glamor and remove blemishes without looking like a shot of Botox gone horribly awry. Interestingly, reports indicated that viewers tended to enjoy the rough, disclosing look on men, but would rather see dames looking their best through those pixel-packed lenses. Nevertheless, HD cameras are making flaws more and more noticeable, and apparently causing quite the ruckus from overly concerned celebrities all the same, but hey, that's the price you pay for being in the (1080i) limelight.Discovery HD to kick off the new year with "World of HD Week"
If you're fairly excited about the abundance of HD Bowl games you'll be able to catch starting December 19th on ESPN2 HD, right on into the first of the new year, well, so are we. But for those who aren't exactly keen on America's pigskin pastime just yet, Discovery HD is planning to help you ring in your new year on the HD trail, too. Discovery HD Theater has announced that the first week in January will be dubbed the "World of HD Week -- a special programming event offering high-definition premieres of new series and specials from across Discovery Networks in advance of their standard definition air dates." Being the company's first week of programming dedicated to showing off just how splendid that HD picture looks, it'll kick off with a Discovery Atlas HD marathon as 3:00PM EST on New Year's Day; the following days will host "primetime premieres" at 8:00PM EST until the final night, where the first episode of Planet Earth (dubbed "Pole to Pole") will air its first episode of the season. So if you're not really feeling the football vibe, and you love to view nature from the comforts of your own couch, be sure to hit the read link for the full rundown of upcoming showtimes.All three Lord of the Rings films airing in HD on TNT
[Via TV Squad]
Catch a new concert every week on MHD
The concert premieres planned:
- CMT Giants: Reba McEntire, premiering Saturday, November 18 at 8pm ET/PT on CMT and simulcast on MHD
- The 2006 MTV European Music Awards, premiering Saturday, November 25 at 9pm ET/PT
- CMT Crossroads: Lindsey Buckingham and Little Big Town, premiering Saturday, December 2 at 9pm ET/PT on CMT and simulcast on MHD
- Life & Rhymes: Snoop Dogg, premiering Saturday, December 9 at 9pm ET/PT
- Summer Fest: Lynyrd Skynyrd, premiering December 16 at 9pm ET/PT
- Isle of Wight Festival: Snow Patrol and Jet, premiering December 23 at 9pm ET/PT
Star Wars HD for Sky on New Years Day
Great news for our "other-than-American" customers who turned tridactyl green with envy at the news that Cinemax would be showing Star Wars in high definition. Sky has announced they'll be showing all of the sextology -- say that in mixed company! -- not once but two times on New Years Day on Sky HD, and in standard def as well. The first run will be in plotline order (I - VI) starting at 6am, with the theatrical release schedule (IV V VI I II III) starting after lunch. So grab your Stormtrooper costume, your Yoda slippers, and sit down in front of the telly for an entire day of HD goodness! And let the people without HD satellite be jealous of you for once.
