TNT-HD on DirecTV by 17 Feb. 2006

[lbostons]

Please take a look at this, great new! :)

ATLANTA, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Turner Network Television (TNT) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with DIRECTV, Inc. to provide customers with the high-definition (HD) feed of TNT. The service will launch on DIRECTV on Friday, Feb. 17 and will be available on DIRECTV channel 75. The 24/7 HD presentation of the TNT East Coast feed will offer DIRECTV's customers a wide range of dramatic programming in HDTV format, including sports such as live NBA games and NASCAR races; series; movies; and TNT Originals.


TNT in HD will be available as part of the DIRECTV HD package, which currently includes ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater(TM), HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD, and is available by subscription for $10.99 per month. In addition to the HD Package, DIRECTV customers with HD-enabled equipment can also receive HBO® HDTV and SHO® HD as part of their premium package subscriptions, as well as HD Pay Per View movies. DIRECTV also offers local HD programming in select markets.
"We are pleased to partner with DIRECTV to further expand its robust HDTV package and enhance its customers' viewing experience with the addition of TNT in HD's extensive collection of top-rated content," said Coleman Breland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Turner Network Sales. "NBA coverage on TNT in HD has raised the bar across the industry. We're excited to share this compelling sports programming with DIRECTV customers in time for the NBA All-Star game."
"DIRECTV understands the importance of offering our customers quality HD programming and we are excited to be partnering with TNT to deliver an even better HD experience," said Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, Programming Acquisition, DIRECTV, Inc. "Not only will our customers have access to TNT's popular original programming in HD but they will also see NBA live game action in HD giving them a courtside seat right in their living room." TNT in HD is broadcast in 1080i 24 hours a day and uses Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, a superior audio experience across all TNT in HD programming. In addition, TNT in HD presents all of its programming, including promotional content and commercials, in 16:9 wide-screen, giving viewers a consistent viewing experience.

[Smak Runner 2K]

Great news for DirectTv customers!

[Scott]

Yesss!

[Scott]

Going to be in MPEG-2, just confirmed.

[Robbiee19]

Great news on the MPEG-2.

[Captain_Rob]

... In addition, TNT in HD presents all of its programming, including promotional content and commercials, in 16:9 wide-screen, giving viewers a consistent viewing experience.

I have TNT-HD via WOW, and dislike how they stretch their 4:3 content to 16:9 wide-screen. I hate seeing ovals instead of circles, and 200lbs super models! I think they do a "Panorama" stretch (more stretching on the edges), because forcing my HDTV to 4:3 mode only makes the picture appear to be distorted the other way.

[Scott]

I have TNT-HD via WOW, and dislike how they stretch their 4:3 content to 16:9 wide-screen. I hate seeing ovals instead of circles, and 200lbs super models! I think they do a "Panorama" stretch (more stretching on the edges), because forcing my HDTV to 4:3 mode only makes the picture appear to be distorted the other way.

Really? That sucks! How much of their content is actually broadcast in HD? I'm assuming the majority of their syndicated shows, movies, and the NBA, right? Or is going to be another ESPNHD/2 channel where 80% of content is SD?

[jpdublin]

It is about time Directv picked up TNT HD. It would not shock me to see them increase the rate by a dollar. :rolleyes:

What will Directv be adding next Starz? Skin-a-max?

[TvPat]

The DirecTV HD Package is actually going DOWN one dollar on March 1.

[Scott]

Skin-a-max?

Werd :D

[tjolsonmcse]

Best part about TNT in HD, NASCAR races will finally all be in HD. FOX, NBC and TNT all carried in HD on Directv. Except 1 race in June which is inexplicably on FX.

[Captain_Rob]

Really? That sucks! How much of their content is actually broadcast in HD? I'm assuming the majority of their syndicated shows, movies, and the NBA, right? Or is going to be another ESPNHD/2 channel where 80% of content is SD?

I couldn't tell you what percentage of their programming is HD. I've seen both, but the majority seems to be HD, minus commercials of course. Their web site (www.tnt.tv (http://www.tnt.tv)) does not seem to identify HD content either.

When channel surfing, as soon as I see they have on a stretched SD program I quickly skip by it. Their "Panorama" stretching of SD content literally makes me nauseas.

[jchiso]

... I hate seeing ovals instead of circles, and 200lbs super models! ...

I think I'd pay $10 a month for an HD, 200lb supermodel channel!

[lbostons]

I have also heard that D* will not stop there and could be potenially be adding more HD National channels sooner than later. I think that DISH really forced D*'s play by adding more HD content. I think that they might be affraid of loosing subs to other companies. Maybe they will even try getting the new HD DVR out earlier (Hopefully w/o bugs!).

[musicmark]

I hope they'll have the NFL Network in HD by the fall, too.

[Smak Runner 2K]

TNT-HD has become one of the stronger HD channels out there. At first, the L&O reruns, ect were in SD-Stretch-o-Rama...but now they appear to have the HD copies and L&O is usually in HDTV, minus a few exceptions.

Also, all the NBA coverage is in HD, as well as 90% of the movies they show, ect.

[Robbiee19]

Well its up and running. Picture not too bad. Just hope some good programing will comes on it. No guide so far. Just wish D* will get the new Tribe network for us!

[Scott]

Oh yeah! Thanks for the reminder. I need to remember to put definite dates like this on the calendar.