NEW SC HD lineup

[Satellite Expert]

starting June 9 (all PPV channels on F2 will be temporarily unavailable until the fall)

281 Sportsnet HD
282 TMN HD
283 MCHD
284 NBC Detroit HD
285 ABC Detroit HD
286 CBS Detroit HD
287 Fox Detroit HD
288 PBS Detroit HD
289 NBC Seattle HD
290 CBS Seattle HD
291 FOX Seattle HD

SC remains as the only satellite provider not charging extra for HD

 

[Elite09]

Yep they don't charge but you don't get that much either.

I have both SC and Bell and I am happy to pay Bell $10 for 3x the HD channels. Star Choice is still #3 in HD in Canada behind Bell Expressvu and Rogers Cable.

 

[Jumbo Dumbo]

So do all SC HD subs get Sportsnet HD? or do you have to subscribe to the Sports Bundle that contains the 4 Sportsnet SD channels?

 

[Derwin0]

hmm... No CBCHD, No SRCHD, No GlobalHD, No CTVHD, No CityHD, Not to mention whenever TVA or TQS when they decide to go HD.
won't be long til the CRTC comes knocking, have to kiss those American West Coast HD's bye bye, along with some others.

Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-61
Ottawa, November 11, 2003
The regulatory framework for the distribution of digital television signals

……….the Commission will launch a separate proceeding to examine the regulatory framework governing the obligations of DTH undertakings with respect to the carriage of HD services. The issues raised by the CCTA will be addressed in this proceeding.

In the interim, the Commission’s regulatory approach to the carriage of digital services by DTH undertakings will be as follows:

DTH licensees will be required to distribute the upgraded versions of the services that they must currently distribute as part of the basic service……..

 

[Jumbo Dumbo]

Your quote is out of date. The CRTC ruling concerning HD transition in Canada used a different language. It will be up to the marketplace in Canada. They used the word "should" regarding priority of Canadian HD channels not "will".

There is no requirement for DTH operators in Canada to carry any HD.

 

[Derwin0]

You really believe that they'll be allowed to carry 2 sets of American networks while not showing any Canadian networks?
Simsub rules alone will force them to carry the Canadian networks, as GlobalHD has already enforced on Expressvu.

 

[Satellite Expert]

Simsub rules alone will force them to carry the Canadian networks, as GlobalHD has already enforced on Expressvu.

The agreement between SC/Cancom and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is totally different. That's why Expressvu subs see simsubs galore.

The SC agreement calls for simsubs in what is essentially the Grade B contour of the OTA signal. So for someone like Global who stick 500 watt ATSC transmitters on the CN Tower or the CH tower in Hamilton; national distribution of their HD signal is a no go on SC.

You see Rogers & Shaw working in tandem to drive original HD programming in Canada. That's why Rogers Sportsnet is on, along with a 24/7 HD version of Movie Central (BTW the 24/7 version is not available on Expressvu)

Rogers produces more HD programming in 1 week than Bell and their buddies do in a year. If HDNet gets CRTC approval, expect to see it on SC long before Global. The CRTC made it very clear to both Bell and Global that they expect them to work with the providers to reach compromises, even to the point of providing omnibus channels to them in the short run.

The stunt that Bell pulled last week - putting a HD dog show on both TSN and Discovery Canada HD just won't cut it with the CRTC anymore. The CRTC commissioners are looking over their shoulders right now. There will be an election in Canada called by the end of the year. If the Conservatives get in, their leader - Stephen Harper, has made it clear that changes to the CRTC will be made - most likely the CRTC will lose the power to set programming requirements in licences.

 

[Derwin0]

Yes, SC only simcubs in the GradeB corridor. But in order to simsub even only Toronto, SC will still have to have GlobalHD on the satellite killing transpoder bandwidth.

 

[Satellite Expert]

I think the real reasoning behind the carefully worded CRTC decision was to get all the parties talking.

For Bell, Shaw and Global all want HD killed in Canada, or at least delayed as loooo...ng as possible - with as few a services as possible. For these 3 companies see massive $$$ expendures with little $ returns. CTV (Bell) will have to spend huge amounts on studio equipment and ATSC transmitters. Same with Global. Shaw will have to spend big $$$ to upgrade cable bandwidth as they focussed on hispeed internet and VOIP with their investment in recent years. Plus SC will need $350m for another satellite. Bell's BGM division with TSN & Discovery has already lost $1B in value since they bought it. The only potential buyer in minority owner Thomson who has a reputation of buying low.

Rogers is the only company pushing HD. That's because they truly fear DTV and the Spaceway satellites. Their main market can get US ATSC signals and is in the spotbeam footprint of the new satellites. Same goes for Cogeco Cable which is 30% owned by Rogers.

 

[Elite09]

Yeah, Bell simsubs different and more often than Star Choice.

Rogers Sportsnet is Canada's HD leader. No question.

TSN is starting to make some noice. CFL starts in a month and we will finally see some CFL in HD. That with all the Toronto Blue Jays home games in HD, makes TSN the #2 HD channel in Canada.

Also Star Choice will HAVE to offer the OTA Canadian Networks. The wording is right in the CRTC document giving Star Choice 30 days to change their act. If they don't free up some bandwidth soon, expect to see the West HD feeds gone and replaced by CBC HD, SRC HD, CTV HD, Global HD.

 

[ken0042]

The CFL HD on TSN is what might finally push me into the HD market. *C has the HD-PVR, but no CFL would make me want to stick it out with Bell.