More Networks Jump Into The High-Definition Fray

The proliferation of the high-definition format continues apace with a spate of services from The History Channel and Cinemax to Starz Entertainment and the rookie Big Ten Channel gearing up for service launches and additions.

The History Channel HD will take its first public step into the enhanced format in September, when the 24-hour service bows with direct-broadcast satellite provider DirecTV. The new service will simulcast the network's entire lineup of original, nonfiction programming and specials.

The feed will feature such diverse fare as series Lost Worlds, Dogfights, Digging for the Truth, Cities of the Underworld and Mega Disasters, plus such specials as Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed, The Lost Book of Nostradamus and The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth.

“The History Channel HD will give our history fanatics an unparalleled view of history with stunning clarity and rich perspective that they will find nowhere else on the television landscape,” said David Zagin, executive vice president of distribution at History parent A&E Television Networks, in a statement. “We look forward to many more partnerships with distributors to bring The History Channel HD to their consumers.”

Added DirecTV executive vice president of strategy and development Derek Chang, also in a statement: “The History Channel has a large and passionate following among our customers, and we're looking forward to being the first to provide them with their favorite programming in true HD. Both The History Channel HD and A&E HD exemplify the kind of high-quality programming that we'll offer DirecTV customers as we begin a significant expansion of HD channels this fall.”

For its part, EchoStar Communications' Dish Network has added Cinemax HD, raising its enhanced format roster to 32 channels, which the No. 2 DBS company says is the most in the industry today. Mirroring the primary Cinemax feed — including a primetime lineup that is 98% in true high-definition — Cinemax HD is part of the DishHD package that offers consumers more than 200 hours of HD programming daily.

Even fledgling sports channel the Big Ten Network, which is scheduled to kick off in August, is getting into the HD game in a big way: It will come off the scrimmage line with 350 events and more than 1,000 hours of HD content during its first year. Big Ten Network president Mark Silverman said all of the net's studio programming would be in HD.

Elsewhere, Starz Entertainment subscribers will soon get more chances to see Johnny Depp's Capt. Jack Sparrow in HD. Starz Entertainment this summer will present such theatricals as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Cars and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby in the enhanced format with the debut of a trio of new Starz-owned HD premium services.

Complementing its extant Starz HD channel, as well as its Starz and Encore HD On Demand services, the company will offer HD mirror channels of the East Coast feeds of its Starz Comedy, Starz Edge and Starz Kids and Family services.

“Starz has always been a leader in terms of offering our customers more ways to enjoy our great movies,” president and chief operating officer Bill Myers in a statement. “We pioneered in digital transmission, multiplex, on-demand and online. We will now be able to offer the largest package of HD movie channels of any widely distributed programming service and the only one featuring first-run hit movies.”

Myers hopes the additional Starz feeds will convince more subscribers to watch HD content from cable: He said that while the number of HDTV sets sold every year has been growing, only one-half of HDTV owners use their sets to watch cable and satellite programming

“Working with our affiliates, we will make a major effort to convince HD-set owners that their televisions are good for more than just watching DVDs,” Myers said. “With our great lineup of HD movies, on-demand HD services and now with four HD channels, Starz is well-positioned to spearhead those efforts.”

Speaking of Starz HD, the service is one of five enhanced networks that Comcast Media Center will launch on its HITS Quantum all-digital channel lineup. CMC said that A&E HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD and Universal HD will also be available on HITS Quantum

Denver-based CMC also announced that it has secured transport agreements for offering standard-definition feeds of Rainbow Media Holdings' AMC cable network and News Corp.'s Fox News Channel.

All told, HITS Quantum offers more than 200 digital video and audio services in order to support cable-system operators' migration to an all-digital service. The HITS Quantum all-digital platform features secured authorization, optimized digital-program-insertion triggers and high-quality video and audio.