Digital 4.0 -- Even better digital TV

We've talked a lot about upgrading our current digital offerings (Digital 3.2) on this blog.  As of today, we are sending out notices with our regular monthly bills announcing the launch of Digital 4.0!  I thought I'd let you know here first.

Digital 4.0 will feature an important expansion of the HD lineup to more than 50 HD channels – most with no additional cost to those already receiving HD. Additionally 4.0 will include the launch of 2 New Standard Digital Channels -- Fox Business News & Chiller -- more On Demand programs and a slew of other new features. Keep an eye out for the notice.   We're sure you’ll love what you see.

I can't be specific here about which channels we're launching and when they're coming because the rollout will be district by district. However, it will happen by the end of the year.  I know HD enthusiasts will definitely love the many additional choices we're going to deliver.  In addition to the bill notice, watch your mail, later in the autumn, for a full description of our next release of Digital -- 4.0!

Comments

[scott]

Excellent news!! Look forward to seeing a list of new HD channels!!

[mitch]

Thank you! I have been considering satellite service as they have MANY more HD channels. I will have to wait and see what happens with Digital 4.0

My big question is why do I have to have low def channels? Can I get a High Def ONLY package? I only watch HD anyway!

[ARGO]

Will this be in 1080p ?

[Bill]

Argo, no one broadcasts in 1080p.

[Ghpr13]

Dish Network now broadcast in 1080p:
"A press release dated Thursday July 31, 2008 indicates that in August DISH will roll out 1080p television service to HD-DVR subscribers making for an industry first. Currently all HD broadcasting is limited to either 720p or 1080i resolutions. Typically, 720p is preferred for content with a preponderance of fast motion such as sports and other action oriented content, while 1080i is preferred with most other material for improved detail when smoothness of motion is not an issue.

The 1080p video resolution upgrade will take the form of a firmware update that will activate the ability for DISH’s MPEG-4 HD-DVRs to receive and output broadcasts at the higher resolution. DISH also announced that it would be making the DISH on Demand VOD service available to subscribers at 1080p." audioholics.com

[Alex]

I have insight because of the local channels and bb, but with Dish having 1080p I'm seriously considering buying an antenna to pick up my local channels. Plus, Dish also has an HD only package. And, I'm in Bowling Green and the CBS station in Louisville has been out for over a month. I like insight, but I'm not sure how long I can deal with all of this.

[Ghpr13]

Was any one as frustrated as I was while watching the Emmys with the way it kept switching from HD to SD because of the Digital 2009 & the LGE crawl?
Can't we watch a program without being "reminded" so many times about these things? Or if they must run the crawl, can't they do it while still broadcasting in HD?

[Danny]

When will Insight catch up with the Dishes and offer an RF remote? That is the primary reason I'm considering leaving Insight currently, is that I do not want the box prominently displayed under the TV that I will soon mount to the wall. If they offered an RF remote, I could stash the box like you can with Dish and DTV. Will that ever be an option? (The technology really isn't that new.)

[Alex]

A billboard in Bowling Green says over 60 HD channels. I guess I will wait around to see what actually happens before I decide on satellite. Most antennas will pull in all of the local channels in HD with far better quality than Insight shows it. Add in the 100+ channels on satellite and I see no reason to stay with Insight.

[Bob]

100+ channels in HD from satellite? That's true if you want to count each pay-per-view channel and all the regional sports networks that show a small handful of programs in HD. Remember, you won't be getting MLB, NHL and NBA games on those channels. So all you'll get in HD is college sports broadcast by FSN. Technically, the same game being shown in HD on 15 channels means you do have those 15 channels in HD, but if it's the same game on all channels, what difference does it make if you have 15 or 1?

[John]

For all those concerned with the 1080p from Dish and eventually from DirecTV, I wouldn't be all that swayed - they DO offer 1080p, but it's only going to be for Video on Demand content, it's not going to be on their television station broadcasts, since as mentioned, NO ONE sends their programming over in 1080p; basically, you'll be paying the on-demand charge for renting a blu-ray movie, while you get the normal television HD broadcasts in 1080i/720p just like on cable.

[Shiv]

Saw the announcement today for Northern Kentucky and the lineup is a mixed bag. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to get more and more "basic" channels added to the lineup so I don't have to watch them in analog, but some of the choices just seem so incredibly arbitrary.

You're wasting bandwidth on AMC HD when American Movie Classics censors movies and rarely airs things in true high definition (preferring stretch-o-vision), while the newly launched MGM HD shows uncut movies, all in true high def from one of the world's largest film libraries.

I was waiting to see what we were gonna get, but satellite just looks more appealing all the time.

[Bill]

I just saw the new lineup. Wow. Why bother? 11 on demand "channels?" Your organization is a joke, Michael. Sell out completely to Comcast.

[David]

It's about time. Out of these 50 - 60 HD channels I wonder how many are PPV or Adult content? My guess is at least 20.

[Nacho]

I thought The switching between HD and non-HD on the Lexington ABC station was because WTVQ didn't have HD working yet on their internal stuff.

It seems to only switch when it shows a local commercial or a local weather or news overlay.

[HD]

I'm glad we are getting more HD channels but Direct TV is probably the way to go now that I see what is going to be offered.

[NKY]

I'm okay with the new channels for the most part. I just hope we don't have to wait a full year again before we get more. Adding a couple channels every now and then throughout the year would be nice!

I guess bandwith might be an issue in the Northern Kentucky area and that is why we don't get as many HD channels as the other cities?? Anyone know??

[Ron]

I love the HD channel expansion. Now I can finally spend most of my time watching in HD. But, really Michael, no Speed HD?! I hope this changes soon as I can't bear to go another Formula One season watching in standard LD.

[Brad]

Michael -- Customers in your flagship Louisville market are happy you have finally decided to answer our calls for a real investment in HD; however your first stab at this is very disappointing.

Please respond here as to why you fail to add such HD channels as The Weather Channel in HD, Nick HD, ESPNU in HD, FX in HD, and Spike TV in HD in the initial HD offering....and please no politician style answers...at this point in the year we are all looking for REAL answers to our questions.

Please stop promoting your additional on demand offerings as ACTUAL HD stations; at best its misleading and at worst constitutes false advertising.

[Richard]

Why for the columbus market you list some channels like a&e HD as being new, when we've had them for awile now?

And i second the now TWC HD, comeon, they have built a new hd stage just for this.

[kymac]

After much anticipation, the new HD line-up is kind of a yawner. No new sports (read SpeedHD, GolfHD) but plenty of news to not watch. History International and/or Military would have been good additions. Any real hope of seeing any of the above mentioned in the near future?

[Bill]

Don't hold your breath waiting for response from Mr. Wilner. Any insightful answers won't be forthcoming.

[Ron]

Do people really purchase those pay-per-view movies offered by Insight? $6.00 per HD movie seems very expensive when my cost per Netflix rental is approximately $1.50. I would pay $6.00 if they were current in theater movies, but PPVs that are DVD releases won't be competitive until PPV approaches that Netflix price of $1.50 per view.