Today's High-Def Headlines

Sony to Begin Selling OLED TVs - WSJ
Sony Corp. said Monday it will begin selling the world's first ultra-thin flat-screen television based on organic light-emitting diode technology in December, as the race to develop next-generation televisions heats up. The technology, known as OLED, uses organic chemicals that can emit light. That means the new TV set doesn't require a backlight like conventional liquid-crystal display televisions.

TBS HD Plays Subscriber Gains - MCN
Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks Friday joined Cablevision Systems and Comcast in launching TBS’ HD channel in time for the network’s Major League Baseball postseason coverage. A Time Warner Cable spokesman said the operator will offer the HD simulcast of the TBS, beginning Oct. 1. The spokesman, however, would not say how many of the operators systems will actually launch the service in time for TBS’ exclusive coverage of baseball’s Divisional series, which are scheduled to begin Oct. 3.

Speed Readies HD Network - MCN
While many networks have taken their position on the track in recent weeks, Speed plans to enter the high-definition race next February during its coverage from Daytona Speedway.
Speed in HD plans to come out of the gate with more than 100 hours of NASCAR coverage from the Daytona Speedweeks, which begin next year on Feb. 7 and lead up to the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.

Sharp To Cut Prices On 6 Aquos Models - TWICE Sharp is the first among several manufacturers to make pre-holiday flat-panel price cuts, confirming that it has dropped suggested retail pricing by $300 on three 52-inch Aquos LCD TVs and by $100 on three 37-inch models, effective Oct. 1. Models receiving new lower prices include the 52-inch LC-52D92U (which drops $4,499 to $4,199), LC-52D82U (drops from $4,099 to $3,799); and the LC-52D64U (drops from $3,799 to $3,499).

Big Ten Network, WideOpenWest Strike Carriage Deal - TV Week
The Big Ten Network signed a carriage deal with WideOpenWest, an alternative cable provider that operates in the Midwest. WOW serves markets such as Chicago and Detroit also covered by Comcast, the nation’s biggest cable operator, which does not carry the Big Ten Network.

AT&T Hovers Over EchoStar - Forbes
The universe is rapidly aligning for EchoStar Communications. On Thursday, an Oppenheimer analyst upgraded the satellite television company to "buy" and said it was ripe for an AT&T takeover. EchoStar is undergoing a swift metamorphosis.