Friday, November 21, 2008

Today's High-Def Headlines

Time Warner Cable L.A. Delivers 24 New HD Channels - MCN
Time Warner Cable’s West Region is launching 24 new high-definition channels beginning this month, a programming change the operator is positioning as an early holiday gift. The new channels include: HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax eastern feeds, The Movie Channel, ESPNU, NHL Network, The Tennis Channel, Speed, INDemand Sports 1 & 2, Cartoon Network, Toon Disney, FX, The Weather Channel, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Movie Channel, Fox News, Fox Business Network, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Science Channel, Planet Green and BIO.

Vizio Expands LCD Lineup - TWICE
Vizio used a press preview here Wednesday to introduce a new 55-inch screen size to its a high-performance XVT LCD TV line, and revealed shipping plans for several high-resolution, smaller-screen LCD TV offerings, timed for holiday distribution. The company also presented an add-on speaker bar designed for any flat-panel TV, featuring virtual surround sound enhancement developed by SRS Labs.

Netflix Makes HD Strides - TV Week
Netflix took two big steps in the area of high definition this week, officially moving to HD streaming and tying up loose ends with HD DVD. Going live on Wednesday via an upgrade to the Xbox 360, Netflix entered the arena of HD streaming with nearly 300 titles including “Heroes,” “La Vie en Rose” and “Flawless.” The service allows for streaming of nearly 12,000 standard-definition titles.

Panasonic Centralizing Plasma Display Production - TWICE
In an effort to improve its cost efficiency and price competitiveness, Panasonic said Wednesday it will consolidate all plasma panel production in Hyogo Prefecture by the end of the year, the Nikkei news service reported. Panasonic currently manufactures 65-inch plasma panels at a plant in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, and produces all other sizes at two factories in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.

Holiday HDTV Shipments Could Fall - TWICE
A slumping economy and woes in several large retailers could produce the first ever drop in sales of high-definition TV sets during the fourth quarter, according to Paul Gagnon, director of North America TV market research at DisplaySearch, which tracks shipments to retailers. That prediction highlights how quickly the economy has gone south in recent months. In August, when DisplaySearch was updating its fourth quarter estimates, the company was still projecting a 1% to 2% increase.

Sony Execs Discuss Economy, Circuit City - TWICE
Sony sees opportunities for itself in the bleak economic environment and spoke bluntly about the condition of Circuit City, as well as consumer confidence during this troubled holiday season. Stan Glasgow, Sony Electronics president, and Jay Vandenbree, Sony consumer sales president, did not provide gloom and doom about the current market but were frank in reaction to questions posed during the company’s biannual media roundtable, held at the Sony Building in New York on Nov. 20.

Dish Network Expands Local HD Markets - MCN
Dish Network has added local HDTV channels in eight markets: Charleston-Huntington, W.Va.; Cincinnati; Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, Pa.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Lexington, Ky.; Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.; Louisville, Ky.; and Wichita Falls, Texas and Lawton, Okla. Dish Network now offers local channels in 84 markets reaching 76% of U.S. TV households, the satellite provider said Thursday.

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