Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Today's High-Def Headlines

U.S. Households Watch More Than 8 Hours of TV a Day - L.A. Times
The U.S. is a nation of even bigger couch potatoes than previously realized. Nielsen Co. left little doubt Monday when it reported that television use is at an all-time high in the U.S., with home TVs turned on for an average of 8 hours, 18 minutes a day. A decade ago, American households watched an average of 7 hours, 15 minutes a day.

Hulu Begins HD Programming Push - B&C
Hulu has long had an HD gallery as part of its site, but it was largely relegated to trailers for upcoming films, rather than feature length movies and television shows. That is changing this week, as Hulu begins adding full length 720p high definition content to its HD gallery. The move is part of Hulu's "Hulu for The Holidays" push, which features new movies, TV shows and features every day until Dec. 26.

HD or Standard Def? One in Five HDTV Owners Don't Know the Difference - PC World
If it's flat and has a big-screen, it's high-def, right? Apparently, a lot of HDTV buyers think so. A recent survey by the Leichtman Research Group (LRG) shows that 18 percent of HDTV owners think they're watching high-definition shows, when in fact they're viewing standard definition programming.

HDTV Buyers Could Rush MSOs on Feb. 18 - CED Magazine
The literal disconnect between first-time HDTV buyers and HD service providers appears to be widening, and it may be due to false expectations of what will happen with the digital transition – yet another reason pay-TV providers should prepare for a spike in demand after Feb. 17. Twelve percent of all U.S. households purchased a new HDTV in the past year; of that group, 41 percent still need to arrange for HD service from a cable or satellite provider, according to a new report.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Today's High-Def Headlines

It's Bargain Season for HDTVs - L.A. Times
It's not easy to find a silver lining to the economic meltdown, but here's one: cheap high-definition televisions. Bargains on consumer electronics goods, especially TVs, have become a tradition for the holiday shopping season. But this year prices for HDTVs are expected to plunge as fast as ratings for the new "Knight Rider."

Sharp Pushes LCD Leadership, Innovation In Ad Campaign - TWICE
Sharp Electronics today said it is rolling out the third phase of its national marketing and ad campaign tomorrow that will focus on its leadership and innovation in LCD and feature the Limited Edition Aquos LCD TV. This phase highlights the Limited Edition Aquos LCD TV series, which represents the culmination of 35 years of Sharp’s LCD innovation, and positions this series as part of Sharp’s complete line of LCD TVs that feature 120Hz technology.

Comcast Boosts HD Programming - Baltimore Business Journal
Comcast Corp. said Thursday it has beefed up its lineup of high-definition programming to customers in Greater Baltimore. The Philadelphia-based cable giant will now begin airing the Fox News Channel, FX and Speed in HD. Comcast, Baltimore’s largest cable provider, has now added more than 15 new high-definition networks to its lineup in the last year.

NFL Looks at 3-D - WSJ
With sports fans still getting used to their high-definition television sets, the National Football League is already thinking ahead to the next potential upgrade: 3-D. Next week, a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders will be broadcast live in 3-D to theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Boston. It is a preliminary step on what is likely a long road to any regular 3-D broadcasts of football games.

Retail Execs Expect Slim Gains On Black Friday - TWICE
Even the prospect of steep savings on Black Friday will fail to rouse shell-shocked consumers, retailers fear. Merchants are now projecting a slim 1.2 percent increase in sales on Black Friday, compared with the 8.3-percent spike enjoyed last year, a new survey of retail executives shows. Of the 100 chief marketing officers queried on behalf of Chicago consultancy BDO Seidman, 68 said Black Friday sales would be flat, 16 predicted an increase, and 16 forecast a decline.

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.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Today's High-Def Headlines

Blu-ray Earns High Marks From Consumers - THR
A new industry-commissioned study shows bright prospects for such high-definition media as HDTV and Blu-ray Discs, based on respondents' familiarity with and preference for the products. The SmithGeiger survey of 1,600 HDTV owners in the U.S., U.K. and Japan was commissioned by the home entertainment trade organization Digital Entertainment Group. Its results were summarized for analysts and press at a briefing Friday in Century City. Respondents were asked to assess their overall satisfaction with HDTV, related programming services and Blu-ray, a next-generation home-entertainment format promoted by DEG.

Circuit's Prospects Seen As Mixed - TWICE
Industry observers are forecasting several scenarios for a post-Chapter 11 Circuit City, and none of them are good. Projections range from a radical downsizing to a complete liquidation of the ailing chain. The rosiest projection, by Banc of America Securities' David Strasser, envisions a vastly smaller multiregional Circuit City with 200 to 300 stores at best. In a research note, Strasser said he expects the company will look to close "significantlymore" than the previously announced 155 stores and that it will be able to "more aggressively market parts of the business to a variety of buyers" once it enters bankruptcy.

Pioneer CEO Kawabata Looks Upscale - TWICE
Despite the economic gloom, Masao Kawabata, chairman/CEO of Pioneer North America, believes his company’s strategy of moving its brand and products upscale will work during these tough economic times. In this exclusive interview with TWICE, his first since becoming chairman/CEO here in the U.S., Kawabata addressed issues concerning the Kuro brand, Pioneer’s partnership with Sharp, the HDTV market, its leadership in car electronics as well as the economic downturn and recent changes at retail.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Today's High-Def Headlines

Circuit City’s Prospects Mixed: Analysts - TWICE
Analysts are spinning several scenarios for a post-Chapter 11 Circuit City and none of them are good. The rosiest projection, by Banc of America Securities’ David Strasser, envisions a vastly smaller multiregional chain, with 200 to 300 stores at best. In a research note, Strasser said he expects the company will look to close “significantly more” than the previously announced 155 stores, and that it will be able to “more aggressively market parts of the business to a variety of buyers” once it enters bankruptcy.

Circuit City Files for Bankruptcy Protection - Reuters
Circuit City Stores Inc, the No. 2 U.S. consumer electronics retailer, filed for bankruptcy on Monday just weeks before the start of the holiday shopping season, becoming the largest retailer to file for Chapter 11 since Kmart in 2002. Circuit City fell victim to tighter credit terms from vendors, a dwindling cash position and decreased consumer spending amid a deepening economic crisis.

Flat Panel TV Shipments Begin Their Decline - CNET News.com
One of the hottest products in consumer electronics is finally cooling off. A report released Tuesday confirms that flat-panel television shipments to retailers are beginning to tail off. Specifically, LCD and plasma TV shipment grew just 21 percent, and 20 percent, respectively year over year during the third quarter of 2008, according to DisplaySearch's Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.

CTAM: HD Panel Tackles Recession Marketing - TV Week
With economic bad news dominating headlines, high-definition television executives are betting TV’s comfort factor will keep increasing demand for HD programming, according to a panel of industry powerhouses. The Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing kicked off its 2008 convention in Boston with a TelevisionWeek panel on whether the financial crisis will slow down the HD market. Moderator Chuck Ross, TVWeek publisher and editorial director, surveyed the panel which said the industry tends to ride through hard times as a comfortable, inexpensive form of entertainment.

MGM HD Ink’s Carriage Pact With AT&T’s U-verse - MCN
MGM HD is marking its first anniversary by landing a carriage deal with AT&T’s U-verse service, and by picking up distribution on cable systems that have been carrying Mojo HD, which is going dark next month.With its new AT&T pact, MGM HD now has affiliation deals with all the major distributors, namely DirecTV, Dish Network, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and Bright House Networks, according to Lee.

Vudu Cracks 1,000 HD Titles - B&C
Online movie service Vudu says it is now offering over 1,100 HD titles for instant, on-demand viewing, which it says represents the largest library of HD content available on-demand today. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Vudu, which uses a proprietary Internet-connected set-top box to facilitate on-demand viewing of 10,000 movies and TV shows, ramped up its HD offerings dramatically this fall. In September it introduced a new 1080-line progressive format called HDX that dramatically improved the picture quality it delivers for select HD titles, and overall, it has been adding some 150 new HD titles a week ranging from new release like Journey to the Center of the Earth to classics like Cool Hand Luke.

DirecTV Adds Six More Local HD Markets - MCN
DirecTV Thursday launched local HDTV service in six new markets, offering such service now in 109 DMAs. The latest launches are Boise, Idaho; Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas; Macon, Ga.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Traverse City-Cadillac, Mich.; and Fort Smith, Ark.

Panasonic Begins Sanyo Takeover - TWICE
Panasonic and Sanyo officially acknowledged Friday that the two companies will start discussions “for a capital and business alliance between the two corporations,” with the aim of making Sanyo a Panasonic subsidiary. The boards of each company met separately on the proposal Friday. According to a statement issued by Panasonic, both companies will start discussions “with the aim of maximizing both companies' corporate values by pursuing synergies between both companies and further strengthening initiatives to achieve potential revenue and profit growth through this alliance”.

Shopping for TVs With the Experts - AP/WashPost
Technological advances have made giant flat-panel TV screens with intensely detailed pictures affordable to the average American consumer. But which one to choose? Home theater enthusiasts say you can get the biggest bang for your buck with a system that uses a digital projector. They can easily be hooked up to your computer, video game system or DVD player, or cable signal, and they display images at a variety of sizes.