Post by dkennedy on Apr 18, 2005 4:36:33 GMT -5
The End of Voom & The Future of HD Programming
April 18, 2005
By Phillip Swann
President, OnHD.TV
When will cable and satellite providers give us more channels?
Since Cablevision announced that it was closing Voom on April 30, many of you have asked me when cable and satelite TV operators will add more high- def channels. Despite its operational problems, Voom at least offered nearly 40 high-def channels while most cable and satellite services have just 10-15. (Voom, which was launched by Cablevision in October 2003, generated less than 50,000 subscribers in 18 months, which is why Cablevision's board voted earlier this month to close the service.)
Well, the unfortunate news is that it might be a year before you see any TV provider offer 40 high-def channels again. The cost of adding HD channels -- and building the necessary infrastructure to deliver them -- is simply too great for cable and satellite operators at this time. However, the good news is that DIRECTV has announced that it's launching four new satellites over the next two years, largely to provide more high-def channels. Starting this summer, in fact, DIRECTV will begin offering local high- def channels in 12 markets.
DIRECTV's aggressive new plan will likely force cable operators -- and satelllite rival EchoStar -- to boost their high-def lineups sooner than previously anticipated. They will need to keep pace with DIRECTV, which now has approximately 14 million subscribers.
More good news: Several networks are planning to launch new HDTV channels over the next year, including The Outdoor Channel. The availability of more high-def channels will push both cable and satellite to offer more.
The bottom line: In 2006, you can expect your satellite provider or local cable operator to offer up to twice as many HDTV channels than it currently does. So, be patient. Help is on the way.
April 18, 2005
By Phillip Swann
President, OnHD.TV
When will cable and satellite providers give us more channels?
Since Cablevision announced that it was closing Voom on April 30, many of you have asked me when cable and satelite TV operators will add more high- def channels. Despite its operational problems, Voom at least offered nearly 40 high-def channels while most cable and satellite services have just 10-15. (Voom, which was launched by Cablevision in October 2003, generated less than 50,000 subscribers in 18 months, which is why Cablevision's board voted earlier this month to close the service.)
Well, the unfortunate news is that it might be a year before you see any TV provider offer 40 high-def channels again. The cost of adding HD channels -- and building the necessary infrastructure to deliver them -- is simply too great for cable and satellite operators at this time. However, the good news is that DIRECTV has announced that it's launching four new satellites over the next two years, largely to provide more high-def channels. Starting this summer, in fact, DIRECTV will begin offering local high- def channels in 12 markets.
DIRECTV's aggressive new plan will likely force cable operators -- and satelllite rival EchoStar -- to boost their high-def lineups sooner than previously anticipated. They will need to keep pace with DIRECTV, which now has approximately 14 million subscribers.
More good news: Several networks are planning to launch new HDTV channels over the next year, including The Outdoor Channel. The availability of more high-def channels will push both cable and satellite to offer more.
The bottom line: In 2006, you can expect your satellite provider or local cable operator to offer up to twice as many HDTV channels than it currently does. So, be patient. Help is on the way.