Today's High-Def Headlines

Cox Adds Four HD Discovery Networks to Cable Lineup - TV Week
Cox Communications on Wednesday announced it will be adding four high-definition networks from Discovery Communications. High def simulcasts of Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and the Science Channel will be rolled out on a market-by-market basis, the company said. Customers will be able to see such shows as “Deadliest Catch,” “Dirty Jobs” and “Meerkat Manor.”

The Weather Channel Secures Cable Carriage for HD Service - B&C
The Weather Channel said its new high-definition service is now ready to go and has secured carriage with one major cable operator in addition to satellite-TV operator DirecTV, which will offer the new channel as part of its dramatic HD ramp-up. The Weather Channel HD is now being pumped via fiber to DirecTV headquarters in California, spokeswoman Connie Malko said, although DirecTV hasn't yet begun broadcasts from its new DirecTV 10 satellite.

Dish Offers HD Customer Discounts on Sharp LCD TVs - MCN
In yet another salvo in the HDTV wars, EchoStar’s Dish Network is offering HD subscribers a discount on Sharp Aquos LCD TV sets, officials said Thursday. Through Jan. 31, 2008, both current and new qualifying Dish Network DishHD customers may enjoy up to $800 of savings on a variety of Sharp’s most popular line of flat panel HDTVs.

Sony Shines Blu-ray on PS3 Sales Campaign - Financial Times
Sony is to step up its marketing campaign for the PlayStation 3 and emphasise that the games console is a Blu-ray disc player. The move is aimed at boosting both the PS3 and the Sony-backed DVD format ahead of the Christmas holiday sales season. Kaz Hirai, president of the games unit, told the Financial Times his division was working closely with Sony Pictures and Sony Entertainment to “get the Blu-ray message out”. It was a delicate “balancing act” for Sony Computer Entertainment.

NPD: HD Disc Launch Slower Than Expected - TWICE
Among those who currently own HDTVs, 52 percent are familiar with the availability of high-definition DVD players, but only 11 percent expressed strong intentions to buy one in the next six months, according to a new survey released by The NPD Group. In addition, 73 percent of HDTV owners surveyed said their current traditional-format DVD player still works well for them, so they do not need to replace it, while 62 percent said they are waiting for the prices of high-definition players to fall.

GAO: No One In Charge of DTV Transition - MCN
Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin rejected charges made Wednesday on Capitol Hill that his agency and the Bush administration have failed to take command of the national conversion to all-digital TV broadcasting in early 2009. “There is no confusion at the [FCC]. We are committed to putting polices in place to ensure a smooth transition,” Martin said through a spokeswoman. “Last week, the [FCC] unanimously adopted rules to ensure that analog cable subscribers can still view broadcast stations after the transition.”

Sharp Invests In Pioneer To Jointly Develop Products - TWICE
Sharp and Pioneer have agreed to form capital and business ties, with plans to join forces on the development of next-generation consumer electronics products. Pioneer said it will issue 30 million new shares to Sharp for $357.3 million on Dec. 20. The private placement will make Sharp the top shareholder of Pioneer, with a 14.28 percent stake.