The fifth largest cable provider in the nation.
One of the most popular television shows in the history of cable.
But for some reason, Long Island’s primary cable provider, Cablevision, does not carry the USA Network in high definition, which means that two months since WWE’s Monday Night Raw debuted in HD, most of us Long Islanders still have not been able to watch it.
It’s an incredibly frustrating situation for many wrestling fans, especially those who might have impulsively bought an 40-inch flat screen LCD television last fall (ahem.) And there are no simple answers.
USA says take it up with Cablevision. But Cablevision representatives say it’s up to USA to offer them an HD option.
Meanwhile, WWE has revolutionized the way fans consume their wrestling on television. If you’ve caught Smackdown in HD – Thankfully, Cablevision does carry the CW in hi-def – you’ve seen how amazing the product can look and sound. The crystal clear lines; the vibrant colors; the thunderous sounds of bodies hitting the mat. And the widescreen picture is perfectly suited to capture the size and scope of a wrestling ring. But obviously somebody has dropped the ball.
So here are your options, Cablevision customers. Call Cablevision at 1-800-343-1906, speak to a customer service rep, and request that they carry USA in HD. They keep records of all such requests.
Also, you can drop USA a line here, or by calling 212-664-4444 and asking to be connected to the USA Network viewer hotline.
If all else fails and you really want your Raw in HD fix, DirectTV does carry the channel. Unfortunately, it does not carry WWE 24/7 On Demand, which Cablevision does. So die-hard fans will have to pick which is more important to them – watching every pimple on Triple H’s back, or watching Uncle Elmer get married.
What’s a boy to do?
Comments (10)
I don't know if they carry cw hd in your area but USA is in HD on Directv and Dish I believe.
not related but, you need to do a blog on why they have not put the belt on Shawn besides the non-meaningful nostalgia run when they didn't think he could last full time again in 2002. Seriously, he's been back full time better than HHH or himself in his prime and no title...it's something I've never understood...and a topic of rabid debate at my WM trip last year with other Cena haters. Anyhow...future blog for ya...thanks!!
And good luck with the HD.
Dish Network does not carry USA, SciFi or CW in HD. It sucks. They also do not carry MyNetworkTV (where SmackDown is jumping to). Like you, Dish says it's up to USA and USA says to contact Dish. One rep did tell me that "we do not have plans to add USA HD, SciFiHD or CW HD at this time."
I hear ya. I have Comcast, THE largest cable provider, and I'm in the Philadelphia market WHERE THEY'RE HEADQUARTERED and I don't get USA or SciFi in HD.
Seth,
I know this has nothing to do with your above post about HD, but…
I don’t understand all the negativity in regards to wrestling from the fans. I’m 33 and got into wrestling when I was around 7 years old so around 1982. I was a die-hard up until around 1997. Then from that point until 2006 it was the rare occasion that I would put on Raw, but I would go to the website to see who World Champion was.
So by and large I did miss the attitude era. For whatever reason, I have been really into wrestling the last year and a half or so. I’m very much looking forward to Wrestlemania. I guess I don’t try to overanalyze it, because after all it is wrestling! I love wrestling for the entertainment value. To me, there is not one t.v. show on that is as entertaining.
I love your blog keep up the great work!
Sean
I have Time-Warner LA.... we used to be Comcast.. the day that WWE 24/7 was to start here was the day that Comcast left and Time Warner took over... so we have NO 24/7 and NO HD, nor according to the cable company, is there any plans to add either anytime soon
There is so much junk on Cablevision HD: cooking shows, dog-training shows, lame news, B-horror movies (holy crap....Blacula in HD...I swear), lame Kung-Fu movies, the Knicks, the Mets...how can you not have WWE Raw???!!! Is it not the highest rated cable tv show? It's been on the air for 15 years!!! Geez...the Dolans need their head examined. 3 words: GET IT DONE!!!!!
As a Dish Network subscriber, I feel your pain. According to Dish, they recently attempted (and failed) to launch a new satellite that would allow them to increase their HD channels by about 25. On their site, they specifically list USA, Sci Fi, and many others. So ideally, if they successfully get this satellite into orbit, which they seem to think they can still do, us Dish people could be getting our WWE in HD.
It sucks though having a pimpin HD TV, great service and picture from Dish, but still not having seen ANY WWE in HD (no CW in HD either).
Oh, and I want my ESPNEWS in HD on March 30th, but that ain't happening either on Dish.
I've heard a LOT of bad things about Cablevision...
I would get USA HD on my Comcast if I had HD at all.
I live in Joliet IL (35 miles south of Chicago) with Comcast service. I get to see Raw, Smackdown, & ECW in HD. But, not PayPer View. The bad thing about that is that the other shows are free. I would rather get the expensive PPV's in HD. WrestleMania is $55 this year, up from $50 last year. But, it will not be in HD here.