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HDNet
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HDNet is a general interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format, and available via cable and satellite television. The channel currently shows a wide variety of HD programming, using the 1080i video standard, without focusing on any specific genre.
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Programming
- 3 HDNet Movies
- 4 References
- 5 External link
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History
On September 6, 2001, HDNet was launched by Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban and Phillip Garvin from studios in Colorado. HDNet has spearheaded experimental and innovative coverage of both news and sports. In December 2001 and January 2002 they aired exclusive HD coverage of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan with former CNN correspondent Peter Arnett. In February 2002 they originated eight hours of high definition video each day from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. This feed was picked up by NBC and aired in 24 hour rotation on NBC's digital television stations. The channel has since grown to be available on a number of platforms, including the DirecTV and Dish Network satellite services and the cable systems of Charter Communications, Insight Communications, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FIOS, and WOW! Internet Cable Phone.
In fall 2006,
Rogers Cable and
Bell ExpressVu in
Canada added HDNet to their lineups. Presently, as is the case with many U.S.-based channels, HDNet does not own the Canadian rights to many of the sporting events or off-network repeats aired in the U.S., such as the NHL or
Arrested Development. These are blacked out and replaced with additional repeats of HDNet's original programming. While referred to on the channel's website as "HDNet Canada", this is not a separate Canadian channel, but an alternate U.S.-based feed.
Programming
HDNet airs exclusively 1080i high definition content from a diverse base of genres. A number of the channel's shows are original, such as HDNet World Report, an hour-long news magazine; Higher Definition (hosted by Dallas Observer writer Robert Wilonsky), which centers on interviews; and Get Out! (hosted by Deal or No Deal model Lindsay Clubine), which centers around the hottest spots in the world. Other programs are licensed from the major media corporations Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures, among others. These include Smallville, The Agency, and Andy Richter Controls the Universe. The channel also broadcasts a number of sporting events, including NHL, MLS and NCAA football and basketball. In September 2006 Star Trek: Enterprise and Arrested Development repeats joined the HDNet lineup.
In October 2006, former CBS News anchor Dan Rather joined HDNet with a weekly program, Dan Rather Reports [1].
Unlike most other broadcasters offering High-Definition programming, HDNet is not available in standard definition at all. This means that HDNet does not have to make any of their programming "safe" for standard definition sets. HD content from networks that also broadcast in SD suffers from awkward shot framings caused by trying to keep essential picture information in the 4x3 "safe" area in the center of the widescreen picture. HDNet is free to use the entire widescreen picture. HDNet's sports programming also uses wider shots of the playing field or arena than most SD telecasts, since the detail of the HD picture makes up for the wider framing.
HDNet Movies
A second channel, HDNet Movies, accompanies HDNet. As the name suggests, the channel is devoted to movies, although it would probably not be considered a premium channel. Films shown vary in age and category, but all were either transferred from
35mm film to
1080i high definition or shot in the latter format. Many films shown on HDNet Movies have never before been released in HD on other networks.
Recently, HDNet Movies has received press concerning their controversial
day and date release strategy. This strategy subsumes the tiered theatrical release followed by DVD sales followed by broadcast distribution. A notable HDNet film with a day and date release was
Bubble, directed by
Steven Soderbergh. This strategy is seen as a blow to the traditional release window of theatrical films. Movies released using this strategy are simultaneously shown on HDNet Movies and in theaters on a Friday (the traditional release day of a film), followed quickly by a
DVD release of the movie on Tuesday (the traditional DVD release day). Soderbergh has signed a deal with HDNet films to make a total of six films released using this strategy, however HDNet Films allows other directors to release their films day-and date, not just Soderbergh. Many theaters see this as a threat to their business, and have banned these films.
References
External link
