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COMEDY CENTRAL Original One-Hour Stand-Up Special “T.J. Miller: No Real Reason” Debuting Saturday, November 12

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:56:21 +0000

T.J. Miller brings his live-wire delivery, irreverent characters and ridiculous notions to his first-ever COMEDY CENTRAL original one-hour stand-up special, “T.J. Miller: No Real Reason” debuting on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” and one of Entertainment Weekly’s “Next Big Things in Comedy,” Miller continues to ascend the comedy ladder with an exciting performance in his first-ever one hour stand-up special. Taped in front of a raucous audience at the Boulder Theater in his home state of Colorado, Miller shares his tenacious escapades at the DMV and explains why he always requires a bad turkey sandwich and a pinata at every show. Miller’s hilarious and bizarre original characters, outlandish physical comedy and self-deprecating humor make this a breakout performance not to miss.

On Tuesday, November 15, “T.J. Miller: No Real Reason” will be released in the U.S. on DVD by COMEDY CENTRAL Home Entertainment. The uncensored and extended DVD includes bonus features and over 20 minutes of content not seen on COMEDY CENTRAL. Outtakes include “Paul’s T.V. (A Work in Progress),” “Drug Mime” and “Griffin: Not What You Expected.” Two short films, “The Building Blocks of a Great Day” and “The Stoop” are also included.

“T.J. Miller: No Real Reason” is executive produced by Miller, Dave Becky, David Miner and Michelle Caputo, produced by Arts & Industry and directed by Shannon Hartman. Jonas Larsen and Toni Magon are the executives in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL.

Miller is becoming one of the most sought after young comedians and actors in the comedy world. He is known to many from big screen hits including “She’s Out Of My League,” “Cloverfield” and “Our Idiot Brother,” as well as being a COMEDY CENTRAL favorite (“The Benson Interruption,” “Hot List,” “Live At Gotham” and “Mash Up”). Miller’s other film credits include the upcoming comedy “Seeking A Friend For the End of The World” starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, “Yogi Bear,” “Gulliver’s Travels,” “Unstoppable,” “Extract,” “How To Train Your Dragon” and “Get Him To The Greek.”

Miller is currently touring the country performing his critically acclaimed and uncritically defamed stand-up act. In September, COMEDY CENTRAL Records released his comedy oriented pop/hip-hop music album titled “The Extended Play EP.”

ShortsHD Launches on DishHD Asia in Taiwan

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:46:59 +0000

ShortsHD, the world’s leading TV network dedicated exclusively to short movies, announced today that it is now available to Taiwanese audiences on DishHD Asia.

Featuring the work of a variety of critically-acclaimed filmmakers and big name actors and actresses from around the world, ShortsHD further expands its universally-minded offerings with its launch in Taiwan on DishHD Asia channel 6335.

ShortsHD has experienced explosive growth since the debut of its standard definition network, ShortsTV, in France in 2007. With the addition of Taiwanese living rooms, ShortsHD and ShortsTV together reach viewers on three continents in more than 40 million homes. Coupled with the Shorts™ movies sold via the iTunes Movie Store, the Shorts™ brands are entertaining viewers in 24 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.

The network celebrates the art of short cinema with programming that highlights the creativity and aesthetic genius of Academy Award winners, International Film Festival awardees and high quality CGI animators in a variety of genres – from comedies and musicals, to documentaries and dramas.

“Movies are the world’s most popular art form. What’s more – short film is the fastest growing movie category on international television today,” said Carter Pilcher, chief executive of Shorts International. “Global audiences love short movies; their high-impact entertainment transcends language and culture.”

Pilcher recently led efforts to create the first annual “Shorts Awards” this year, highlighted by the Lifetime Achievement Award in Short Film for John Lasseter, the two-time Academy Award®-winning director of Pixar Animation Studios.

The launch in Taiwan follows ShortsHD’s DIRECTV premiere in May and comes on the heels of a highly successful theatrical release for “The Oscar Nominated Short Films of 2011.” Shorts International also recently partnered with Movies On Demand to bring the feature presentations of the Oscar ® Nominated Shorts 2011 to VOD with major operators and is the iTunes Movie Store’s short film partner in all of its 16 countries across the globe.

Kim Voet Promoted As The News Director of WDIV-TV Local 4 News

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:23:06 +0000

WDIV-TV has promoted Kim Voet to the position of News Director of WDIV Local 4 News. Voet, a 14-year veteran of the WDIV newsroom, has held the positions of Local 4 News Producer, Executive Producer of Local 4 News at 11pm, Special Projects Executive Producer, Senior Executive Producer, and most recently, the position of Assistant News Director since December 2009.

Voet has been honored with awards for news coverage from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, The Associated Press and the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

In addition, twice during her tenure in the newsroom, the station has received the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in News Coverage, recognizing the efforts of the entire WDIV news staff. Voet has described these team awards as her proudest accomplishments.

A native of St. Louis and graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia school of Journalism, Voet has been a part of news organizations since 1988 including positions at KMOV-TV in St. Louis, WKBD-TV in Detroit, and WFMY-TV and WXII-TV, both in North Carolina.

Local 4 News is Detroit’s breaking news leader with an award-winning news lineup which includes the Local 4 News Morning from 4:30 a.m. until 7 a.m., Local 4 News at Noon, Local 4 News: First At 4, Local 4 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Detroit’s highest-rated newscast, Local 4 News at 11 p.m. In addition, Local 4′s news, weather, sports and entertainment website, ClickOnDetroit.com, is the most clicked-on local television news site in Detroit.

“Throughout her many years at Local 4, Kim has had a hand in every key initiative in our newsroom, and has been a driving force behind our election coverage,” said Marla Drutz, WDIV Vice President and General Manager. “She has consistently demonstrated a passion for being the best in breaking news coverage, and has a great understanding of what is truly important to our community.”

AT&T U-verse TV and Starz Entertainment Expand Affiliation Deal

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:04:07 +0000

AT&T and Starz Entertainment, LLC have announced that the companies recently extended and expanded the AT&T U-verse TV affiliation agreement for Starz Entertainment’s premium channels, HD, and on-demand services.

AT&T U-verse also acquired the authenticated online rights to deliver the Starz Online and Encore Online services for its premium subscribers. As part of the agreement, AT&T U-verse also has the rights to deliver the MoviePlex premium channel and associated MoviePlex On Demand, MoviePlex HD On Demand, and MoviePlex Online services in the future.

AT&T U-verse TV currently offers 17 premium channels and feeds from Starz Entertainment, including all 13 distinct Starz and Encore channels, West Coast feeds of the flagship Starz and Encore channels, plus IndiePlex and RetroPlex. Advanced services include five channels in HD including Starz HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Comedy HD, Starz Edge HD, and Encore HD, as well as Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, Starz HD On Demand, and Encore HD On Demand.

Financial terms and other deal specifics were not disclosed.

“We’re very pleased to grow our relationship with Starz and deliver even more quality premium content on U-verse TV, and soon, online,” said Dan York, president of content, AT&T. “This deal helps us with important strategic content initiatives and brings more value to our movie package and U-verse TV customers.”

“AT&T has been very successful in marketing our channels and services. We are excited to extend our deal and expand our relationship by granting them rights to market our services online for its premium subscribers,” said Ed Huguez, executive vice president, sales and affiliate relations for Starz Entertainment.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

2010 NFL ON FOX Scores Ratings Record For Second Season

admin — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:54:41 +0000

The 2010 NFL ON FOX regular season goes down in the record books as the most-watched in FOX history based on ratings released by Nielsen Media Research, and for the third consecutive year FOX Sports holds the distinction of being home to the No. 1 television program in the country and the NFL’s top pregame and postgame shows.

The massive audience success of the 2010 NFL ON FOX season enables FOX Sports to continue its reign as America’s No. 1 sports network for the 14th straight year. All sports-related programs on FOX averaged a 6.0 household rating in 2010, with an average audience of 10.1 million viewers. FOX Sports topped second place CBS (4.3, 7.2 million) by +40% in rating and audience; NBC (3.7, 6 million) by 62% and 68%, respectively; ABC (3.3/8, 5.5 million) by 82% and 84%, and ESPN (.08/1.2 million) by 650% and 742%.

The season averaged 20.1 million viewers for all games, smashing the previous NFL on FOX record of 19.1 million set in 2009 by more than a million viewers. In household ratings, the NFL ON FOX 2010 season averaged an 11.8/24, its best rating in 15 years (12.5/29 in 1995).

This season’s average surpassed 2009’s then record-setting campaign by +4% in rating (11.8 vs. 11.4) and +5% in viewership (20.1 million vs. 19.1 million). Looking back two years offers an even more impressive comparison as 2010 is up +12% over 2008’s rating (11.8 vs. 10.5) and +18% in viewership (20.1 million vs. 17.0 million).

FOX Sports’ NFC package beat CBS’s AFC package (11.8 vs. 11.1) for the 13th straight season and also marks the 16th straight year that the NFC has beat the AFC on either CBS or NBC.

AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK, FOX’s national broadcast window on doubleheader Sundays, is far and away television’s highest-rated and most-watched program in any day-part, season-to-date. The 4:15 PM ET games on FOX’s nine doubleheader dates averaged an incredible 15.2/29 rating/share during the 2010 season. For perspective, the No. 1 entertainment program season-to-date is Dancing With The Stars and AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK on FOX bested it by +13% in rating (15.2 vs. 13.5), +45% in share (29 vs. 20) and +21% in viewership (25.9 million vs. 21.4 million). AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK also dominates among Adults 18-49 averaging a 9.2 rating, +84% higher than the No. 1 entertainment show in the demographic, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy (5.0).

Compared to the NFL’s other national broadcast windows, AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK on FOX out-rated CBS’s national game by +6% (15.2 vs. 14.3) and NBC’s prime time Sunday Night Football by +16% (15.2 vs. 13.1). In terms of viewership, AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK out-distanced CBS national games by 18% (25.9 mill. vs. 21.9 mill.) and SNF by 7% (25.9 million vs. 24.1 million).

FOX NFL SUNDAY also had a remarkable season, reaching a six-year rating high and a nine-year viewership high while maintaining its position as America’s No. 1 NFL pregame show since its inception in 1994. The show that stars co-hosts Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee, analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan and NFL insider Jay Glazer, finished 2010 averaging a 3.5/9 rating/share and 5.4 million viewers. Ratings-wise, that’s a +9% improvement over 2009, the best average rating since 2004 and its highest viewership since 2001. FOX NFL SUNDAY once again significantly out-distanced CBS’ The NFL Today by +25% in rating (3.5 vs. 2.8) and +26% on viewership (5.4 million vs. 4.3 million), and NFL Countdown on ESPN by +94% in rating (3.5 vs. 1.8) and 100% in viewership (5.4 million vs. 2.7 million).

THE OT, the NFL’s No. 1 postgame show, finished the season as one of the 20 most-watched shows in prime time averaging a 7.3/13 household rating/share and 12.3 million viewers. That rating ties THE OT as the 19th highest-rated show in prime time and the show’s average audience ranks it No. 20 among all prime time programs.

The NFL ON FOX posted impressive ratings increases across the country’s top cities. The top ten metered markets collectively averaged a 12.4/26, +23% better than CBS (11.2/23). New Orleans topped all markets this season (31.2/46), followed by Milwaukee (28.7/51). Other markets averaging better than a 20 rating are Chicago (21.3/41), Minneapolis (21.3/43) and St. Louis (20.1/37).

Planar unveiled its New Runco 3Dimension Series projectors

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:17:51 +0000

Planar Systems unveiled its new Runco 3Dimension Series projectors. Integrating 3D visualization technology that is based on the science of how the human eye and brain process actual depth and dimension in real life, Runco has created a flawless stereoscopic video reproduction that is unlike anything else in the home or private cinema market.

Runco’s revolutionary 3D solution is based on Runco’s proprietary CSV (Constant Stereoscopic Video) architecture and was created in tandem with the years of experience Planar has with 3D stereoscopic displays for professional applications. Runco CSV is a vastly-superior approach to 3D visualization that enables seamless decoding, syncing and merging of stereo images and delivers a constant HD image to each eye without the flicker, distortion, or discomfort inherent in other approaches. Runco CSV utilizes unique passive-glasses technology, which is proven to be superior for the viewer and is usually only available in the finest public theaters. Further, Runco is the first home theater brand to license RealD’s Processing Package, which is used in Runco’s 3Dimension Processor that is paired with the company’s D-73 projector. The RealD Processing Package includes multiple proprietary technologies for the delivery and display of high-definition 3D content, for a high-quality 3D display experience in the home. Also incredibly important when choosing a 3D display, the Runco 3Dimension Series will deliver both a spectacular 2D and 3D viewing experience with zero compromise.

“The biggest buzz right now in home displays is 3D and Runco has worked to create a solution that is truly superior to anything else available in the market,” stated Planar CEO Gerry Perkel. “Unlike the mass-market 3DTV’s available today that have been met with a lukewarm response, Runco’s approach to 3D mirrors, and, to a large extent, surpasses, the experience that consumers have seen in public theaters. Using passive glasses, our large-screen solution creates an incomparable 3D experience in the home.”

Constant Stereoscopic Video reduces eye fatigue

Current 3D technology relies on the viewer wearing a pair of glasses designed to filter a separate image to each eye. The illusion of depth is created by sending a slightly different image to each eye. The left and right eyes are spaced so that everything seen is at an angle. The human brain processes and combines these two images into one complete picture with the perception of depth. Runco CSV is based on the human brain and eye physiology (called stereopsis) and mirrors it precisely to create perceived depth with a constant HD image to each eye. In contrast, time-sequential based 3D display systems, like those found on 3D televisions, flicker the image on and off at the eye, which can degrade the 3D effect and often results in eye fatigue and discomfort.

Passive glasses improve the 3D at home experience

Runco’s 3Dimension Series pair passive glasses with a design unique to Runco formulated for precise stereo separation, called PreciseLight™. Runco’s passive glasses are not like current 3D TV glasses, which are based on “active” LCD shutter-glass technology and have inherent design challenges. Active glasses are bulky and expensive because they include electronics. And, because active glasses have LCDs in each lens, and turn black every other frame (or more frequently), active glasses need a transmitter that is synced to the frame rate. If you are out of range of the transmitter, low on batteries, have multiple TVs in a single room, or have any obstructions, the image may stutter or simply not work.

The concept for passive glasses paired with Runco CSV is very simple; project constant images to both the left eye and the right eye simultaneously into the same space, and then use Runco’s proprietary passive glasses to show the dedicated image to its intended eye without sacrificing refresh rate or introducing flicker. In addition to the standard proprietary glasses, Runco is also offering an optional upgrade of its passive glasses, which is both stylish and optimized to provide curvature without distortion, as well as prescription options, which will be available soon.

New evolution in 3D projection, all new design

The new Runco 3Dimension Series D-73d projector is based on an evolution of Runco’s award-winning lampless LED technology. Runco’s InfiniLight™ boasts a significant reduction in power consumption, a mercury-free illumination system, and InstantOn™, which instantly produces an image and eliminates the need to put the projector in standby mode. These breakthroughs combine to create an energy-efficient solution with high reliability.

Beyond light-source innovation, Runco’s LED-based projectors produce the largest color gamut ever available in front projection; achieving and exceeding the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standards. The D-73d offers Runco’s Personal Color Equalizer™ (PCE), which enables owners to create color settings from the largest pallet ever available and project images exactly to their preferences. Further, the D-73d outputs more perceived brightness than other 3D solutions because of Runco’s proprietary LED technology and its ability to create exceptional chromaticity. Perceived brightness is a function of not only luminance, but also chromaticity and more saturated colors are perceived as brighter than pastel versions at the same measured brightness levels. In other words, the D-73d is 60-percent brighter than the specifications would indicate and can be used in similar environments and in similar screen dimensions as other projectors that specify significantly higher brightness. The combination of colors, perceived brightness and performance enable the Runco D-73d to set a previously unseen standard on the 3D and 2D viewing experience to deliver flawless video at home.

Verizon and Motorola Partners To Offer Consumers ‘Ultimate Game Day Access’ Sweepstakes

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:16:58 +0000

Verizon and Motorola partners to offer consumers a chance to win tickets to one of 10 NFL regular-season games as well as an all- expenses-paid trip to Super Bowl XLV, with the Ultimate Game Day Access sweepstakes.

Fans can now enter the contest online at www.motorola.com/ultimategamedayaccess where they will be asked to select one NFL regular season game for a chance to win tickets to it, after entering their e-mail address and watching a video about Verizon FiOS. Contestants who enter for a chance to see an NFL game in December are automatically entered into the grand-prize raffle of a trip to Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 6, 2011. The contest kicks off Monday, Sept. 20 and goes through Nov. 30.

“We’re excited to team with Motorola and offer football fans this unique opportunity to watch their favorite NFL team at the home stadium or win a trip to Super Bowl XLV,” said John Wimsatt, senior vice president of marketing for Verizon. “Verizon offers customers a superior football experience with various high-def TV channels, broadband offerings and real-time updates on TV and mobile applications – an experience nearly as good as being there live. And now we’re upping the game and giving fans a chance to take this year’s football experience to the next level.”

Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer, Motorola Mobility, said, “Motorola has been working closely with both the NFL and Verizon to ensure the excitement of the football experience reaches fans no matter where they are. With the advanced features available on our QIP set-tops, FiOS customers can control when and how they watch the game, and enjoy instant replays of their favorite moments at the touch of a button.”

For the grand-prize winner, Motorola is providing two tickets to Super Bowl XLV and passes to pre- and post-Super Bowl parties sponsored by the NFL. Verizon is providing roundtrip airfare, hotel and spending money. The winner will have VIP access during the weekend and experience the big game in the state-of-the art Cowboys Stadium.

This contest enhances Verizon’s already extensive football offering. For example, customers who subscribe to the FiOS TV Ultimate package receive the NFL RedZone channel at no additional cost, providing a look at each play that occurs during Sunday games when a team goes inside its opponent’s 20-yard line. FiOS TV customers can also order the NFL RedZone channel for $49.99 for the entire season.

In addition, Verizon’s FiOS TV customers also have easy access to NFL stats with the Football Widget, which features rosters, player details and headline news from around the NFL – at no additional cost. Subscribers to the NFL RedZone channel can use the widget to set on-screen alerts for whenever a team is inside the 20-yard line, then press “OK” on the remote control and switch to the RedZone channel game action. The channel will switch from game to game with live look-ins and highlights in both high definition (Channel 835) and standard definition (Channel 335).

Verizon FiOS TV Use Chyron Technology To Deliver First 3D NFL Football Game

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:57:25 +0000

Verizon delivered the first ever 3D broadcast featuring the New York Giants vs. The New England Patriots on September 2 of an NFL preseason game on television.

Verizon FiOS1 delivered the game using Chyron’s HyperX3 technology to literally bring the game to life exclusively for FiOS TV customers.

Chyron’s revolutionary on-air graphics are the backbone of the FiOS stereoscopic experience and will allow customers in parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island to see every graphic pop through the screen into their living rooms. This marks the ninth live 3D sports event powered by Chyron. Others include:

NBA All-Star Game, February 2008;
NBA All-Star Saturday Night event, February 2009;
6 Nations Rugby Games, February 2010 (2 games);
3D NHL Broadcast at Madison Square Garden, March 2010;
Yankees vs. Mariners Game, July 2010;
MLB All-Star Game, July 2010 (FOX);
NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, July 2010 (Turner);
PGA Championship, August 2010 (Turner);

“We are excited to be part of the premiere of 3D football,” said Bonnie Barclay, Chyron’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Verizon FiOS is truly showing us what the next generation of television will look like.”

Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said, “Tonight’s 3D broadcast on FiOS TV will further enhance the game-day experience for our customers, from the comfort of their homes. Chyron’s Lyric PRO 8 paired with the expertise of their creative services team will help make this broadcast a success, and we look forward to working with them again to bring more 3D into our FiOS TV customers’ homes.”?

PBS Arts Launches A New Website ‘PBS.org’

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:21:25 +0000

PBS has launched a new website PBS Arts offering Americans the opportunity to experience the arts and explore the creative process through special virtual exhibits, videos from PBS national and local programs and interactive features.

PBS Arts website www.pbs.org/arts is part of PBS’ ongoing commitment to strengthen public engagement in all forms of artistic expression and performance – in front of the camera and behind the scenes – and to bring more of the arts into the lives of millions of Americans.

PBS Arts’ initial offerings include four concurrent virtual exhibitions, including “Ruin and Revival,” which features works from the “Storm Cycle” collection by New Orleans-based artist Thomas Mann. In this exhibition, Mann commemorates the city’s ongoing recovery and renovation, and celebrates its resilience.

Producers from the PBS series CRAFT IN AMERICA filmed Mann in and around New Orleans at locations that inspired his sculptural works. The “Ruin and Revival” virtual exhibition offers additional arts-focused Katrina footage, including a Louisiana Public Broadcasting report, video excerpts of PBS host Tavis Smiley’s recent journey to New Orleans and Smiley’s conversation with Branford Marsalis about the Musicians’ Village, a physical and spiritual home for performing artists in the city.

PBS Arts is organized into exhibitions and searchable by artistic discipline. The website will feature initially at least one new exhibition each month with content spanning all genres of the performing and visual arts, including dance, theater, contemporary music, opera, painting, sculpture, film and photography.

One new web exclusive, SOUND TRACKS Presents “Quick Hits,” is a spinoff of the PBS SOUND TRACKS: MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS television pilot, which showcased stories about music and musicians from around the world. The premiere episode of “Quick Hits” presents Italian superstar Jovanotti (considered the Bono or Bruce Springsteen of Italy) in a San Francisco stage performance and interview with public radio reporter/host Marco Werman, along with a photo slideshow. In September, “Quick Hits” will feature the Brazilian singer and actor Seu Jorge. Other exhibitions will showcase stories and videos from signature PBS series such as ART:21 and AUSTIN CITY LIMITS.

PBS Arts will explore the process of artistic creation, behind the scenes and directly with the artists. Users will be encouraged to comment on the exhibitions and performances as well as upload their own related content. PBS Arts will allow viewers to share content with their friends, family and followers on Facebook and Twitter.

Full episodes of — and additional footage from — upcoming PBS specials and series such as CIRCUS, a six-hour program premiering in November, will give PBS Arts visitors additional opportunities to delve into the many arts and cultural programs found on PBS.

The site’s launch coincides with the recently released National Endowment for the Arts report, Audience 2.0: How Technology Influences Arts Participation (http://www.nea.gov/research/new-media-report/New-Media-Report.pdf), which indicates that people who engage with the arts on-air or online are three times more likely to attend a “live” event than non-media participants. For many adults, electronic media represents their sole means of experiencing dance, theater and music, the research showed.

The debut of PBS Arts kicks off PBS’s multi-platform initiative to reinvigorate public engagement with the arts through an exploration of performance, artistic expression and the creative process — on-air, online, in the classroom and in every community. PBS believes access to the arts educates the nation’s children, defines cultures, increases creativity and innovation, fosters civic engagement and promotes appreciation for diverse traditions.

PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger said “PBS and its member stations strive to help the American people discover the power and remarkable breadth of the arts. For 40 years, we’ve used television to give the public a front-row seat to the world’s greatest cultural experiences, and now PBS Arts will help us achieve this goal online. PBS Arts will also allow us to transport audiences from these front-row seats and give them opportunities to interact with artists and share their experiences of being engaged and enriched by the arts.”

Dish Network Drops Four Disney HD Channels

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:00:57 +0000

Dish Network has dropped four Walt Disney Company owned high-definition channels in fee dispute. The HD channels that are removed from its HD programming lineup are:

ABC Family HD
Disney Channel HD
Disney XD HD and
ESPNews HD

The satcaster is still offering the standard definition channels. Dish Network has stated that Disney is seeking for more carriage fees.

Dish Network briefed that it offers all subscribers ‘HD Free for Life’ and this is possible because the satcaster negotiates fair amount for the HD channels.

Dish Network said “We offer all customers ‘HD Free for Life,’ which is possible because we are committed to negotiating fair contracts that allow us to keep our prices low. That is why we could not agree to the significant fees requested by Disney and ESPN Networks.”

Disney said, “Our position is that Dish Network is not entitled to carry ABC Family HD, Disney Channel HD, Disney XD HD and ESPNews HD without paying compensation. We hope that Dish will work with us to reach an agreement so that we can make these HD networks available to their customers.”