DIRECTV Drops Spice HD

[cablewithaview]

The satcaster makes room for other programming.

Washington, D.C. (April 27, 2006) -- Since the launch of High-Definition TV, experts have differed over whether the adult industry would be helped or hurt by the ultra-realistic picture. Some have questioned whether porn fans would want to see the facial flaws (and other shortcomings) of their favorite performers.

Well, DIRECTV has apparently determined the answer is no -- at least for now. The nation's leading satellite TV service has dropped the Spice HD channel, which was available to its subscribers for the last two years.

DIRECTV spokesman Robert Mercer tells TVPredictions.com that Spice HD was dropped "in order to reclaim capacity for other programming -- a variety of sports, events and movies."

High-Definition TV channels require more capacity than a non-HD channel, perhaps as much as seven times. However, DIRECTV aired Spice HD only on the weekends after midnight.

DIRECTV launched the adult high-def channel a few hours after the 2004 Super Bowl. The channel, which was sold in three hour blocks for $14.99 per block, offered adult films from Spice and its parent, Playboy TV.

DIRECTV's decision to drop Spice HD was done quietly. The channel is still promoted at DIRECTV's web site.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/spicehd042706.htm

 

[charper1]

I doubt the ability to see any flaws performers may have kept people away, but the ridiculous extra costs to view the programming.

 

[PeaceOfMind]

Spice HD

I think you are right Charper, it was the price that D* was asking, not the flaws in the way the women would look in HD, that caused D* to cancel Spice. Sometimes a billionaire can ask too much for his product, thus, pricing his product out of the market, unless you are selling something like gas and oil....then, the sky is the limit.

 

[Claude Greiner]

Most porn viewing is done in the bedroom, and not in the living room on a 52 inch HDTV.

There are not very many households that have an HDTV in the bedroom!

A single man living alone I could see it on the living room Tv, but if there is more than 1 person living in the household, I doubt porn is being shown on a main television in the family room/

 

[charper1]

Although we have HD in 2 rooms, my wife and I enjoyed watching in the den much of the time, the 3hr $15 block price was our issue. $15 for the night or $6.99 - $9.99 for 4hrs would be better.

 

[hdtvtechno]

Most porn viewing is done in the bedroom, and not in the living room on a 52 inch HDTV.

There are not very many households that have an HDTV in the bedroom!

A single man living alone I could see it on the living room Tv, but if there is more than 1 person living in the household, I doubt porn is being shown on a main television in the family room/

haha Think again
That doesnt mean nobody has an HDTV in the bedroom, now

 

[landlocked]

Spice is one of Hef's channels under the Playboy umbrella. I'm guessing he's trying to make up for a decline in magazine sales seeing how you can find that stuff for free on the Internet -- or so I'm told.

Maybe they can pipe in another provider...what's Canada producing doing these days?