HDNet
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2008) |
| HDNet | |
|---|---|
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| Launched | September 6, 2001 |
| Owned by | HDNet Inc. |
| Slogan | The Reason HDTV was invented |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Sister channel(s) | HDNet Movies |
| Website | HD.net |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | Channel 79 |
| Dish Network | Channel 9422 |
| Star Choice | Channel 275 |
| Cable | |
| Verizon FiOS | Channel 833 |
| Time Warner Cable | Channels Vary |
| Charter | Channels Vary |
| Cox Cable | Channels Vary |
| Bright House Networks | Channels Vary |
| Shaw TV | Channel 221 |
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.
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[edit] History
On September 6, 2001, HDNet was launched by Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban and Phillip Garvin from studios in Colorado. In December 2001 and January 2002 HDNet 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, Bright House Networks, 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; Shaw Cablesystems followed in April 2007. 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.
[edit] Programming
HDNet airs exclusively 1080i high definition content from a diverse base of genres. A number of the channel's programs are original, such as Dan Rather Reports, a signature news program featuring hour-long investigative news pieces (both topical and ongoing) hosted by the veteran journalist; HDNet World Report, an hour-long news magazine; Inside MMA a weekly sports program hosted by Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten focused on the sport of mixed martial arts in coordination with Cuban's HDNet Fights promotion; Ultimate Trailer Show (hosted by Dallas Observer writer Robert Wilonsky), which centers on teasers and long form trailers; Deadline! (hosted by Katie Daryl); and Get Out! (hosted by Deal or No Deal model Lindsay Clubine). Other programs are licensed from the major media corporations Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures among others. These include Smallville, and Andy Richter Controls the Universe. Programs from public television, such as Rick Steves' travelogue programs and Rudy Maxa's Smart Travels series, are also bought via syndication from their producing stations to air on the network. NASA Space Shuttle launches and landings often air live. The channel also broadcasts a number of sporting events, including NHL, MLS and NCAA football and basketball as well as mixed martial arts from HDNet Fights. In September 2006 Star Trek: Enterprise and Arrested Development joined the HDNet lineup.
Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather joined HDNet in July of 2006.[1]
Unlike most other broadcasters offering high definition programming, HDNet is not available in standard definition. HDNet's sports programming also uses wider shots of the playing field or arena than most SD telecasts, since the network does not have to protect the shot for a 4:3 aspect ratio, giving HDNet the ability to fill the entire 16:9 widescreen with detail Other networks who simulcast event in standard definition must protect the shot for the 4:3 aspect ratio.
[edit] HDNet Movies
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) |
A second channel, HDNet Movies, accompanies HDNet and is devoted entirely to movies. 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.[1]
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.[2] 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.
