According to www.ajc.com, The Weather Channel is ready to start its high-definition broadcast from its new HD studio from June 2. Ray Ban, The executive vice president of programming and meteorology of The Weather Channel said that they have spent $60 million over 18 months to build the 5,000 square-foot studio for the new high-def productions. The studio's on-set HD screen cost $400,000 alone.
"Every network recognizes that if they have an HD version of that channel, they are going to have higher ratings for that channel," said John Mansell, a Kagan Research senior analyst. "Higher ratings translate to higher ad revenue, as well as the potential to charge cable and satellite operators a higher fee to carry the station.
USA Network has ordered for 16 episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent for Eight seasons. Original episodes of the series shifted to cable’s USA Network from corporate cousin NBC last season. NBC then re-caste episodes after they appeared on cable. "We’re thrilled to have Law & Order: Criminal Intent for another season, by way of announcing the series’ return. Bonnie Hammer, president, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Cable Studio said “We not only forged new ground with its launch on USA last October, but we also succeeded in delivering to our viewers some of the finest writing and acting on television, We are extremely pleased that we will be back on USA for our eighth season, Criminal Intent’ has thrived in its new home on USA and will for years to come."
Home Shopping Network, now known as HSN is planning to launch a high-definition simulcast channel in 2009. Earlier this month QVC has launched an HD channel and still negotiating with satellite providers and cable operators for a carriage agreement. Andy Sheldon, senior VP of television for Home Shopping Network has said that the network had spent multimillion to upgrade its seven studios. Sheldon also said "Once you’ve heard a CD, the likelihood of going back to vinyl is pretty slim, The same thing will happen from analog to digital to HD.”
“It may allow us to appeal to a slightly different audience and expand exposure to a different base of people,” a QVC official said. “We’re hoping a clearer picture may make it easier for people to make decisions about certain products.”
Discovery Communications which is to launch Planet Green by June 4 has signed an advertising partnership with General Motors (GM) announcing GM as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the new Planet Green network. As per the deal, GM’s Chevrolet marque will serve as the premier sponsor of Greensburg, a 13-part documentary series produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way. The series documents the reconstruction of a tiny hamlet in south-central Kansas that was practically wiped off the map on May 4, 2007, after an EF5 tornado touched down, destroying 95 percent of the town’s buildings.
“Advertisers have long recognized the strength of the Discovery brand, and the addition of Planet Green to our portfolio of networks provides another top-notch opportunity to reach target audiences,” said Joe Abruzzese, president, advertising dales, Discovery Communications, by way of announcing the GM pact. “Our partnership with GM is a perfect match of two brands relating to a growing population of eco-conscious viewers and consumers.”
Andrita Media Center owned by Broadcast Facilities, Inc. (BFI) and Hallmark Movie Channel HD owned Crown Media United States has entered an agreement to provide full HD network playback for the newly-launched Hallmark Movie Channel HD. The agreement will allow Andrita's expanded its state-of-the art HD network playback center to support the origination of the Hallmark Movie Channel's extensive original and library movie content in HD on a 24/7 basis. The network playback services provided by Andrita also include multiple automated HD graphics insertion. Andrita's support of the Hallmark Movie Channel underscores its unique position as a large-scale, independent facility equipped with the technology and engineering talent to help top content providers originate and uplink content as they deploy new HD networks.
"The Hallmark Movie Channel adds another household name to our growing roster of HD programmers which join the extensive SD networks that we currently originate. We look forward to rewarding Crown's confidence in our ability to meet their HD media requirements," commented Bill Tillson, President and COO, BFI. "HD deployment is accelerating industrywide and Andrita is unique among independent studios for its capabilities in supporting networks of all sizes create and launch their programming quickly."
ESPN has scored 43 percent higher comparing last month in high-definition than standard-def homes. Many high-definition viewers buy HDTV sets to watch sports programming on ESPN Networks like ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPNews, which are HD channels. If this ratings of the sports programming channels increases will induce the broadcasters to beam new HD channels like Fox Sports came out with the news that they will broadcast all programming in HD starting from first quarter of 2009.
Sean Bratches, executive vice president of sales and marketing for ESPN said "There are a lot of things going on in the marketplace, One is High-Definition. ESPN's ratings in April were 43% higher in high-definition homes vs.standard-definition homes. College dorms, bars, that sort of thing. And overall, sports affinity continues to grow. Over 90% of Americans consider themselves sports fans today, and in the fourth quarter of 2007, we had a record 209 million different people tune in to one of ESPN's networks."
Fox Sports Networks said that they will broadcast entire programming in high-definition by the first quarter of 2009. Fox Sports Networks said they will broadcast more than 3,000 pro and college baseball, basketball, football and hockey games next year in HD through its 16 different regional sports networks nationwide and the network is planning more than 1700 games in high-definition.
“This is the next step in the evolution of FSN’s commitment to being the leaders in HD sports production. It’s one of the best ways we can serve the local sports fans throughout the country, and it also allows us to offer tremendous value to our team partners and distributors," said FSN President Randy Freer, who made the announcement at this week's cable convention in New Orleans.
Disney and ESPN Media Networks are launching new website to facilitate affiliates on programming, updated marketing, ad sales, technical information and downloadable contents. The new website will help Disney and ESPN affiliates in finding monthly cross-channel spots, programming grid, wherein users can find all pertinent programming data from one location; and grouped functionality as all assets are organized in an easy-to-navigate system. “When redesigning this Web site, we carefully considered how we could make it easier for affiliates to drive their business,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing, Disney and ESPN Media Networks, in a statement. “This redesign offers ease of use, provides quicker access to marketing materials and aggregates all DEMN information in one central location.”
GolTV, only television channel dedicated 100% to showcasing soccer in the United States announced during its Upfront Advertiser Presentation in New York on May 14, 2008. During the presentation the network has announced the addition of four new original programs to its line-up. GOL TV to present exclusive 2010 World Cup soccer coverage, 2010 World Cup qualifying matches from European sides, user-generated video, audience interaction and documentary-style features, each of the new TV series are positioned to score big with North American soccer fans.
"We are pumping up the GolTV lineup with programming that should score great ratings with our audience," said Rodrigo Lombello, COO of GolTV. "Soccer fans live, breathe and dream about soccer. It's a way of life. That's why GolTV has more than exclusive matches from the best teams in the world. We aim to cover the sport from every angle including the most personal to truly reflect the passion, history, news, and even showcase our youngest fan's greatest moment in this sport."
ReelzChannel, owned by Hubbard Media Group has announced its summer programming plans targetting fans of summer blockbusters. "Fantastic Summer" will come out with many original programming included along with many segments of its current programs and episodes. Reelzchannel is planning for interactive features for fans both on TV and online, including polls and a downloadable movie-release-date calendar widget.
