Today's High-Def Headlines

Sharp, Pioneer: No Joint SKUs Slated In 2008 - TWICE
Sharp and Pioneer said it was unlikely either company would introduce products in the United States this year based on their co-development deal signed last fall. Executives with both companies told TWICE at International CES that strategies were not set as yet for product introductions. Sharp and Pioneer signed an agreement last September to form capital and business ties, with plans to join forces on the development of next-generation consumer electronics products.

Study: Digital TV Switch Won't Sway Cable Holdouts - Reuters/CNET
Half of the 21 million Americans who do not have cable or satellite TV will probably continue to use rabbit ears after the switch to digital TV in February 2009, according to a new study. About 43 percent of over-the-air households indicated they would buy a converter box or purchase a digital TV between now and the transition date, but only 12 percent of those said they would bite the bullet and pony up for a pay service, the Association of Public Television Stations found.

Best Buy to Offer Blu-ray Gift Card - Dealerscope
In another attempt to strike a decisive blow against HD DVD, Blu-ray has come together with Best Buy on a promotion to provide gift cards to those purchasing Blu-ray Disc movies. According to the technology Web site Punchjump.com, the retail chain will offer $10 gift cards to the store with the purchase of two Blu-ray Discs, and $25 gift cards for those purchasing three. The offer covers all movies on Blu-ray, including Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Ratatouille.

RCN Blows In Windy City Transition - MCN
RCN is switching to all-digital TV programming in Chicago, reclaiming 80 analog channels for new standard and HDTV channel launches, officials said Tuesday. By going all digital and reclaiming excess spectrum, RCN has recreated its entire cable offering and rebranded its expanded-basic offering and digital-tier offering as the new Signature and Premiere packages.