So now the high-def wars get interesting.
Cablevision just announced it’s adding the VOOM suite of 15 HD channels previously available only on Dish satellite (and before that on a stand-alone satellite service created as a Cablevision subsidiary). Starting Tuesday (June 26), they’ll be added to Cablevision’s existing lineup of two dozen HD channels, including the broadcast networks, premium movie channels, FSN, MSG, ESPN, Discovery, NatGeo, TNT and Universal. Cablevision says that means it will offer more HD channels than any other provider.
VOOM offerings -- all shot or remastered in HD rather than upconverted -- tend toward niche treats like the Gallery arts channel, WorldSport, Rush extreme sports, Monsters HD horror, Kung Fu HD and GamePlay, plus broader-appeal feeds FilmFest and Family Room.
Meanwhile, DirecTV keeps talking up the full-time high-definition channels it plans to add by the end of the year, most of which are HD versions of current offerings -- CNN, USA, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, Disney, History, A&E, TLC, Food Network, HGTV, Bravo, FX, even The Weather Channel. DirecTV is launching two new satellites, and claims it should have 100 channels by fall (including multiple sports feeds).
Cable industry behemoths Comcast and Time Warner have been boasting they’re upping HD capacity, too, though they’re less eager to name channel names.
What’s on VOOM? Details here.