Universally tough for HD content
By Erik Hanson 
posted Jul 21st 2006 11:37PM
posted Jul 21st 2006 11:37PM
When NBC launched its high-definition channel for cable and satellite providers in 2004, they envisioned a place where viewers could see the best of the NBC family of channels in one place, all in HD quality. In the two years since launching, it hasn't caught on quite like they'd hoped. TV Week has a rundown on why they believe the channel has floundered when compared to the original networks where all the content is sourced from. Although there is plenty of great HD on Sci Fi, Bravo, and NBC to fill the channel, it currently shows 1980s standards and last season's leftovers.According to the article, and we bet you could have guessed this after listening to all of our own rants on the subject, it all comes down to money. Because the parent networks have more viewers, they can command more advertising revenue, and therefore it makes no sense for them to move first-run content -- like, say, "Battlestar Galactica" -- over to Universal HD where its ads will bring in less money for NBC. Channels like TNT HD don't face this problem, as they simply simulcast whatever is on the original standard-definition channel with the same ads and all. Of course, they also add some stretch-o-vision to the non-HD shows, much to our chagrin.
So, how do the networks manage to launch new HD content without affecting their meat-and-potatoes SD (at least for now) content? Universal HD, for one, is planning to have some live content, like the US Open, which can help bring in some viewers, and certainly adding first-run shows or more popular syndicated programming can help. Also, as more and more households throughout America and the world purchase HDTVs, these channels will most likely be folded back into their original networks, as the fact that they feature HD will be less of a novelty and simply something to be expected in programming. We can't wait to see 100% HD programming, 100% of the time, with 100% surround sound, and no stretching, no fake upscaling, and no pillarboxing (just kidding!)
[ Thanks Andrew Yoon ]
tv_thumbnail.jpg)
Part of the problem is many do not know the channel exists. Heck, even HD Beat fails to recognize it in its daily HD offering line-up. Thanks, HD Beat for contributing to this 'problem'. Even I asked you to carry this channel in your line-up.
Why bother recognizing it?? I swear, its the same lineup every night. Knight Rider, Surface, Law and Order: SVU, and a 1970s movie.
As for the Live content, could this mean that WWE Raw has an HD home?? I know that WWE is still working on their HD, but since USA isn't HD, they have nothing to put Raw on.
I wish they'd show The West Wing on there..its an NBC show, but they show it 12 times a day on Bravo instead. Probably the same reason, they're making much more money on it there. It just seems to me that since they own both networks, they could probably show it on both, even simulcast it.
Yeah, I can think of SOOOO many shows that can be shown on this channel. Two of my favorites being Miami Vice and Homicide: Life on the Street. I recently caught an episode of Homicide in HD on TNTHD (and it wasn't stretch-o-vision because Homicide was originally filmed in widescreen I believe) because it was part of a split episode of Law&Order and it looked fantastic! Miami Vice is definitely a show I would love to see in HD, although I'm not sure about their original aspect ratio. Point is, I have Universal HD and have watched it maybe TWICE when they showed Casino and Backdraft and THAT'S IT.
I'd say that their first step should be getting the damned channel carried somewhere. Comcast? They transmitted it during the Olympics, but then it disappeared off the system when the torch was extinguished.
@ #3 Brian: West Wing ran on NBC, but Warner Bros. studio owns the rights, so Universal HD couldn't just slap it on, they would have to license it for that channel like they licensed it for Bravo. It's a similar situation for other shows "missing" from UHD.
Just get HD prints for all USA shows and make Universal HD into USA HD, already! It'll happen sooner or later.
At least they show Battlestar Galactica in HD once a week. Love it. Its one of the priorities for my week.
-Christopher Johnson
Rick, then why make a newsbit about the channel? Seems a bit asinine to report on an HD channel that your own blog fails to even acknowledge. No, not saying you, but rather HD Beat.
BTW, I watch Battlestar Galactica and the wife L&O. Just because you find the channel not worth watching doesn't mean you represent more than yourself. Cheers.
Oh gosh please. If we could only get Battlestar run on this channel in a timely fashion after the first run showing on Sci-Fi. Watching the show on my HDTV on Sci-Fi (SD) gives me a headache.
It is a strange world where Battlestar Galactica broadcast in HD ONLY in re-runs.
Lets take a poll: how long before you think Sci-Fi goes HD. I say between 12 and 18 months.
-Christopher