While DirecTV is advertising that they're adding HD capacity, DISH Network is again adding actual HD channels.
For the second time this year, DISH Network has rolled out a new crop of high-definition networks. The eight channels added include:
- EPIX HD
- G4 HD
- Headline News HD
- History International HD
- Nat Geo Wild HD
- ShortsHD
- Style HD
- Turner Classic Movies HD
DISH is now claiming they have over 200 HD channels, though that claim is likely including pay-per-view or local channels. By our unofficial count, DISH is the first pay-TV provider to break 100 HD channels in this area, now standing at 107.
Fox Cities TV is an independent blog and member-driven community based in Green Bay, Wisconsin and serves the Northeast Wisconsin area, including Green Bay, Appleton, and Oshkosh. TV lovers can come here to learn about what's happening in local (and national) television, interact with other TV viewers and express their opinions.
"30" new HD channels that
"30" new HD channels that DIRECTV will begin launching next month are:
CSN Bay Area HD
Showtime Beyond HD
CSN California HD
Showtime Next HD
Encore HD East
Showtime Women HD
ESPNU HD
Starz Cinema HD
FSN Florida HD
Starz In Black HD
GolTV HD
Telefutura HD West
Hallmark Channel HD
TMC Xtra HD East
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
Travel Channel HD
HBO2 East HD
Univision HD East
HBO Zone HD
WGN HD
Lifetime HD
MSNBC HD
Additional DIRECTV Cinema Channels
How many of these are
How many of these are "pay-for" channels? Take those away from the count, and it takes on a different meaning.
I can't speak for Dish
I can't speak for Dish Network but Uverse and Directv both charge a fee to get access to their HD channels so technically all of their HD channels could be considered "pay-for" channels. I don't recall if Uverse has an "HD Plus" tier but with Directv and TWC there is a group of HD channels you have to pay an extra $5 if you want to receive those channels. Otherwise I believe the HD channels you would receive/pay-for would coincide with the tier package you have for your TV service.
U-Verse does have a premium
U-Verse does have a premium HD tier like TWC and DirecTV have. DISH Network does too, I believe. These largely seem to be made up of "HD-only" channels that don't have a SD counterpart, like MGM HD, Universal HD, Smithsonian, etc.
I should have used the term
I should have used the term "Premium " pay-for channels.
"Yesterday Dish Network
"Yesterday Dish Network claimed they were the first TV provider to reach 200 HD channels. However, as is usually the case, their definition of channel turned out to be a little iffy. 57 of those "channels" turned out to be Video On Demand titles -- and worse perhaps -- titles only available to users who buy the new "Sling Loaded" DVR."
"While Dish did add eight new HD channels recently, they were apparently caught trying to argue that the film The Men Who Stare At Goats was a channel, jokes Todd Spangler at Multichannel News."
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Dish-Gets-Busted-Lying-About-Reaching-200-HD-Channels-107989
Dish used to have any extra
Dish used to have any extra tier of HD only channels (HD net, MGM, Smithsonian, etc) but they recently got rid of it and all their HD channels are now included in their $10 per month HD fee.
I am a subscriber to DISH
I am a subscriber to DISH network services, and I am also an employee. I think that majority of people would have to agree that the picture in HD is much clearer than it is in SD. I didn't think that there was any kind of comparison in between standard and high definition televisions. DISH now provides video on-demand in 1080p. DISH is making more and more programming avail in 1080p.
DISH Network's Dish America
DISH Network's Dish America plan offers HD channels for the every day price $34.99. One of the best deals out there for HD TV.