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Cable HDTV Programming Expands
In 2002 only six HD channels were available to cable and satellite operators, but that number has grown significantly in recent years. By early 2006, 38 more HD channels had debuted, and the total number was expected to grow to about 50 HD channels by the end of 2006, according to Kagan Research. Those numbers exclude HD programs broadcast by the seven over-the-air TV networks. HD channels available exclusively to cable and satellite operators include Animania HD, Cinemax HD, Comcast SportsNet HD, Discovery HD Theater, Encore HD, Equator HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, FSN HD, Gallery HD, Guy TV HD, HBO HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, INHD2, Majestic HD, Monsters HD, MSG Networks in HD, MTV’s MHD, NBA TV, NFL Network HD, Rave HD, Rush HD, Showtime HD, Starz! HD, The Movie Channel HD, TNT HD, Ultra HD and Universal HD. MTV Launches HD Channel
MTV launched its “MHD” channel in January 2006, showcasing content from various MTV Networks channels. Shows included “MTV Unplugged” and “VH-1 Storytellers”. MHD also offered some original content, including HD music videos. National Geographic Plans HD Service Fox Networks Group began offering an HDTV feed for its National Geographic Channel. NGC HD launched in January 2006 and carries more than 90 percent of its prime-time programs in high-definition. Cable Expands HD Olympic Coverage NBC Universal Cable featured more than 100 hours of the Winter Olympics HDTV coverage from Torino, Italy, featuring Men's and Women's Ice Hockey coverage and "Olympic Ice". The latter provided a daily all-access pass inside the figure skating sport. The one-hour program offered a mix of breaking news, in-depth analysis and exclusive athlete interviews. Food Network, HGTV Go HD Scripps Networks began offering its popular Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and Food Network as separate high-definition networks in January 2006. Programming from Fine Living also is incorporated into one or both of the channels. INHD Offers Two Channels of HD Cable Sports Channel INHD broadcasts a 24/7 suite of cable networks offering high-definition versions of live major league sports, movies, music and specials with 100 hours of new HD programming each month. The network operates two channels: INHD and INHD2. INHD offers sports including MLB, NBATV, college, tennis, golf, extreme sports and AFL games. INHD2 features exclusive concerts in Dolby 5.1, more than 35 movies made for IMAX theaters and more. The services are available on Adelphia, Bright House, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox and Time Warner cable systems, representing more than 47 million subscribers. HBO Continues To Set HD Pace
HBO-HD was among the first premium cable TV providers with an HD service (HBO-HD). The company continues to set the pace for the industry by offering the bulk of its film-based programming in full 1080i format, including some of its popular original content. Showtime Shows HDTV Leadership Like HBO, Showtime was also an early pioneer in the delivery of HDTV content. The company continues to steadily increase the amount of native 1080i HDTV content, which represents more than 75 percent of its prime-time content. Cable Companies Court CE Retailers In 2003, CableLabs launched a computerized HDTV cable locator service as an extension to its Go2Broadband (G2B) HD system. The G2B HD platform assists consumer electronics retailers in selling cable-enabled HDTV devices and services at the point of sale of an HDTV set. Such MSOs as Comcast, Cox and Time Warner Cable have collaborated with local consumer electronics retailers to sell digital televisions supported by cable services using the G2B system. The G2B HD system, which is an outgrowth of a similar G2B system developed to help sell cable modems at retail, identifies the markets in which HD content and digital cable services are carried. It also lists the service tiers and pricing for the HD channel packages.
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