Today's High-Def Headlines

DirecTV Dishes HD ‘Mega March Madness’ Assist - MCN
DirecTV, in keeping with its commitment to high-definition programming, will offer all of the games under its “Mega March Madness” pay-per-view package in the enhanced format for the first time. Officials at the satellite leader, which holds exclusive rights to the PPV out-of-market package through 2010 via a multiyear deal with Division 1 men's basketball tourney rights-holder CBS, said that all 37 Mega March Madness games, will be available in HD format, for $69 retail. The tournament tips off March 20.

Hitachi Projects Net Loss; Flat-Panel TV Is Blamed - TWICE
Hitachi reported today it is projecting a net loss for its fiscal year, ended March 31, due to problems with in its flat-panel TV business. Hitachi said the reasons for the problems in this segment reflect “three main factors in the flat-panel business: A protracted decline in market prices, especially in respect of old models; non-attainment of sales targets for large-screen models,” and structural business expenses which include “an accelerating of inventory disposal, in line with efforts to rebuild the sales framework.”

Panasonic Adds Details On Viera Flat-Panel Lineup - TWICE
Panasonic provided further details on its plans for its Viera plasma Full 1080p and LCD TVs, which debuted at International CES in January, during press briefings held here this week. Among the highlights of the line were Panasonic’s free IPTV service — Viera Cast — and the announcement that the company will offer its LCD models under the Viera brand name. As part of the re-emphasis on the Viera brand, Panasonic plans to stress high definition with promotions and an ad campaign later this year.

Cisco Reorganizes, Renames Scientific Atlanta - MCN
Cisco Systems has officially phased out the 56-year-old Scientific Atlanta name and, as part of the change, it restructured the management team for what is now called the Cisco Service Provider Video Technology Group. In January, Cisco dropped the Scientific Atlanta name from its newest line of digital set-top boxes, as first reported by Multichannel News.