Satellite TV News

AT&T has launched its AT&T U-verse Voice in parts of Columbia on October 26 to deliver digital voice service over the AT&T U-verse Internet Protocol (IP) network.

AT&T U-verse Voice will be available to U-verse TV subscribers in the Columbia area. This service brings together home phone, wireless, broadband and TV services as a one bill with unique features that provide a new level of integration, convenience and control.

Pamela Lackey, AT&T South Carolina president, said “Expanding our IP-based services is another demonstration of AT&T’s strong commitment to roll out new technology to Columbia residents. The General Assembly has consistently worked to encourage competition and innovation. We have responded by continuing to invest heavily in our South Carolina networks, including the broadband technology which makes the deployment of U-verse Voice possible.”

Alison Hall, vice president and general manager – mobility and consumer products, AT&T Carolinas, said “AT&T U-verse Voice is one more way we’re making all of our services work together for you and connecting you to your world. We are thrilled to offer this innovative service to Columbia customers and make the AT&T U-verse experience better once again. Just like U-verse TV has changed the way people watch television, U-verse Voice will change the way people use their home phone.”

Fox Cable Networks has announced that it will launch Nat Geo Wild in high-definition in USA in spring 2010. The channel already launched in France, Germany, Australia and Latin America is a joint venture between Fox Cable Networks and National Geographic Ventures.

Nat Geo Wild is to bring audiences extraordinary natural history programming delivering intimate encounters with nature’s ferocious fighters and gentle creatures of land, sea and air.

Rich Battista, president, Fox National Cable Networks, said: “The domestic launch of Nat Geo Wild is another step in the strategic evolution of our national cable channels. We continually look to develop content extensions for our diverse portfolio of networks, and National Geographic is one of the world’s iconic brands — offering a slate of exceptional shows that can be enjoyed by the entire family.”

John Fahey, president and CEO of the National Geographic Society, said: “National Geographic is dedicated to inspiring people to care about the planet by presenting the most compelling and visually dynamic science, exploration and history across all our media platforms. Wildlife programming is core to our brand and with the urgent conservation challenges facing wildlife, this is the right time for us to focus on what is a favorite genre for many.”

David Haslingden, CEO National Geographic Channels Worldwide, said: “Nat Geo Wild first launched over three years ago and has been extremely successful in Europe and Asia as natural history resonates across a wide range of demographics, cultures and nationalities. Technological developments, especially high definition, have allowed us to tell fantastic stories of our natural world in more compelling and engaging ways than ever before. I’m delighted the channel is coming to America and enormously optimistic about its growth here and around the world.”

Outdoor Channel has announced three new series that will be added to the fourth quarter programming schedule. “Jimmy Big Time,” “Outdoor’s 10 Best,” “Trophy Quest” and are the new programming that are scheduled to be added.

Jimmy Big Time on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. ET & 11:30 p.m. ET
Outdoor Channel’s first ever scripted comedy follows the exploits of Jimmy ‘Big Time’ Miller, the self-described ‘Father of Outdoor Television.’ This Outdoor Channel original series highlights one man’s quest to become the greatest outdoor television host in history. Shot in mockumentary format, “Jimmy Big Time” is an irreverent look at what happens behind the camera in the highly competitive world of outdoor television.

Outdoor’s 10 Best on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET, Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
What are the top 10 duck hunter’s dream hunts? Where are the 10 best elk destinations in the country? What animals make up the deadliest hunts ever?

Trophy Quest on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. ET
With today’s ever changing technology, firearm systems that are able to take an animal upwards of 1000 yards, scent blockers and full body 3D camo clothing, some sportsmen feel that the art of “hunting” has been lost.

Tom Hornish, COO at Outdoor Channel, said: “Our spectrum of best-in-class programming has been enhanced by this fall’s new series – just in time for hunting season. Viewers and advertisers will find this quarter’s roster filled with high quality entertainment that speaks directly to their favorite outdoor pursuits.”

NHL Network has announced that it will stream live coverage of three Victoria Cup and NHL Exhibition games from Europe this week on NHL.com.

NHL.com will deliver the Chicago Blackhawks’ games in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, September 28, against HC Davos at 2:15 p.m., ET and Tuesday, September 29, 2:15 p.m., ET against ZSC Zurich as part of Victoria Cup 2009 coverage.

NHL.com will also live stream the Detroit Red Wings exhibition game against the European club Färjestad BK on Wednesday, September 30 at 1 p.m., ET in Karlstad, Sweden, as part of the Compuware / NHL Premiere Challenge.

NHL.com is to stream Chicago’s regular-season opener against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland, as part of Compuware / NHL Premiere 2009 on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3. Detroit will open its 2009-10 NHL regular-season against the St. Louis Blues in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3.

Time Warner Cable has launched eight new international channels to its subscribers in California. Following are the channels added:

ET China – channel 632

ET Drama – channel 630

ET News – channel 629

ET Yoyo – channel 631

Jade Channel – channel 626

Phoenix Info News – channel 627

Phoenix North American – channel 628

Russian Kino – channel 619

The nation’s thirteenth largest MSO, Bresnan Communications currently serves in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah has signed an agreement with The NFL Network to launch ‘NFL RedZone channel’ in high-definition on Sept. 13. The NFL RedZone channel will bring fans every touchdown of every game on Sunday afternoons.

NFL RedZone channel, produced by NFL Network, whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments live and in high-definition. When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays as they happen. The channel keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see every important play.

NFL Network President and CEO Steve Bornstein, said: “NFL RedZone is one of the most exciting new products for football fans since the invention of instant replay. We are currently in discussions with distributors so fans will be able to watch this new channel on Sunday afternoons.”

Cox Communications will launch Outdoor Channel on its Sports and Information tier package to its subscribers in Parma, Ohio, Las Vegas, Nevada and Hampton Roads, Virginia. Cox is able to launch Outdoor Channel in these markets due to Outdoor Channel Holdings expanding its distribution agreement with Cox.

Cox will launch Outdoor Channel’s standard definition, high-definition network and video-on-demand (VOD) programming in Parma, Ohio, Las Vegas, Nevada and Hampton Roads, Virginia markets.

Outdoor Channel delivers programming focused on the outdoors, offering programming that includes hunting, fishing, Western lifestyle, off-road motor sports and adventure.

Tom Hornish, COO for Outdoor Channel said,” Cox is a terrific partner and we are pleased to add three new markets to our existing relationship while renewing our broader distribution agreement. These agreements ensure our popular hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure programs are available to Cox customers around the country for years to come.”

Randy Brown, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing for Outdoor Channel said,” We are committed to providing quality, focused programming that outdoor enthusiasts value. We know that there is an avid base of hunters and anglers in these three Cox markets, and we are thrilled to be a part of their television experience.”

Verizon Communications has announced the launch of FiOS TV service in five more Massachusetts communities on Sept. 8. Easton, Groton, Hull, Kingston and Wrentham are the Massachusetts communities where FiOS TV service will be offered.

Verizon FiOS TV delivers more than 500 total channels, including 123 HD channels in Massachusetts – more than any local cable TV company, including Cox.

FiOS TV will be available to Massachusetts residents and have the option to reduce their monthly bills by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials unlimited calling plan.

FiOS TV service highlights include:

Return to Paused Programming – Allows customers to pause live programming, change channels, and then return to the paused program and pick up where they left off.

What’s Hot on FiOS TV – Features information on the most-popular programs currently being broadcast in the region and the most popular VOD titles.

Verizon FiOS TV delivers 123 HD channels available to Massachusetts customers, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound. An industry-leading library of more than 15,000 video-on-demand (VOD) titles each month, 70 percent of which are free. In addition, the VOD library includes 1,400 HD titles per month.

An innovative interactive media guide (IMG) that gives customers a rich, personalized television experience with content from TV listings, VOD catalogs and the digital video recorder (DVR), as well as personal music and photos from a home network. Among the features of the IMG are:

Channel sorting options – Customers can create two separate lists of favorite channels for family members. Customers also can filter channels in the guide by genre, for instances where a customer only may want to see HD content, international channels or kids programming, among others.

Fantasy Football – FiOS TV customers who are registered users of ESPN Fantasy Football will have instant on-screen access to personalized NFL statistics, including rosters, box scores, scoring leaders and player information.

Free casual games – With the remote control and an HD set-top box, customers can access chess, solitaire, sudoku and wordplay.

Media Manager – a feature that lets customers wirelessly brings personal photos, music and slide shows to life from their computers to their TVs.

Multi-Room DVR – Verizon’s Home Media DVR allows customers to stream recorded HD and standard-definition (SD) programs to up to six other TV sets throughout the home. This includes the ability to watch three separately recorded shows on three TV sets at the same time, plus pause recorded programming in one room and continue watching in another.

Remote DVR management – All FiOS subscribers can remotely control their DVRs online, and Media Manager subscribers can use this service via any cell phone with a data plan. Subscribers can use the service to remotely review, change or add recording requests; delete recorded programs; browse and search TV and video-on-demand listings; set parental controls; and more.

Widgets – Customers have one-touch, on-demand access to personalized information such as local weather and traffic reports, daily local and national news headlines, fantasy sports, daily national sports headlines, and daily horoscopes, as well as Twitter and Facebook, all while still enjoying their TV programming. More than 500 all-digital channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.

Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island said, “FiOS TV gives consumers in these communities an outstanding alternative for their video entertainment with superior picture-and-sound quality and innovative, interactive features that cable can’t match. Customers in these communities who liked what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV. We’ve harnessed the vast capacity of our advanced fiber-optic network to deliver a revolutionary, new entertainment experience giving customers the best choice for TV.”

NBA star, Doug Christie will present the 19th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards to be held on August 31, 2009 at 7 P.M. at the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles, California. Doug Christie will debut his comedy play “Christies Un-Cut,” as well as a screenplay he is co-writing with his wife, bestselling author and TV reality star Jackie Christie, about her new bestselling book, ‘Proud To Be A COLORED GIRL.’

The 19th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards is celebrating the organization’s 100th Year Anniversary and will honor a full slate of honorees including Audra for Trailblazer Award, Tichina Arnold for the Spirit Award, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson for Lifetime Achievement, and Sheldon for the Community Service Award. This year’s award show will also include musical performances by Grammy-Nominated artist, Ledisi.

Doug Christie said, “It is an honor to be amongst such great company and to be honored by presenting at the 19th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards.”

Charter Communications has launched two high-definition channels to its subscribers in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Charter has added USA Network HD and Ovation TV HD