DIRECTV HD Expansion Still Likely This Week
The satcaster's launch of new HD channels was set for today.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2007) -- DIRECTV is still targeting this week to launch 20-40 additional High-Definition channels, according to several programming sources. The satcaster actually had scheduled the launch today, but ran into what one source called "technical difficulties." It's unclear what the snafu is, but it's not considered to be serious.
Robert Mercer, a DIRECTV spokesman, did not return phone calls today from TVPredictions.com.
But DIRECTV was so confident that today would be the kickoff day for its HD expansion that it alerted its programming partners that it would occur today, according to sources at three content providers.
In addition, DIRECTV notified some TV listings services that the channels would be added today. Consequently, Zap2it.com, the online listings site, today added the new HD channels from DIRECTV in its listings for the satcaster.
And DIRECTV's customer service representatives have been telling callers that new HD channels would be added today. But several TVPredictions.com readers say CSRs have been telling them today that the launch has been postponed.
Some readers report that CSRs are saying the new launch date is September 21.