Where's All the HD Programming?

Written by Clearly Resolved
Sunday, 20 May 2007

[ Q ] So, what sort of programming is actually available in HD?

[ A ] The volume and variety of HD programming available to you ultimately will be determined by whether you rely solely on over-the-air broadcasting or subscribe to a pay TV service.

Broadcast (Over the Air) Networks

Although free over-the-air HD programming is generally limited to a handful of channels, the variety of programming available from these channels is generally good and growing.

The following is a snapshot of the over-the-air HD programming situation as of June 2007:

U.S.: The main national TV networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) all provide an average of 10 to 20 hours of HD programming per week. The bulk of HD programming offered by the networks is made up of prime-time dramas and situation comedies, but there has also been steady growth in live sporting events or special events such as the Oscars and Grammys.

It's currently less common for reality programs, news and documentaries to be aired in HD, but this is changing and HD programming of these types is expected to expand in the next few years.

The second-tier US broadcast networks (CW and MyTV) also offer HD programming, but both the variety and number of HD programs provided lags the major networks.

Also, most local PBS stations provide a 24-hour HD channel, although about 20% of the programming carried is standard-definition widescreen format.

Pay TV

Although your HD programming choices are much broader with a subscription service, the actual channels that will be available will vary by provider and according to your location.

While the national channel line-ups for DISH and DirecTV will be the same regardless of whether you're in Seattle or Key West, the actual national HD channels provided by cable TV service providers such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable, etc. or by teleco TV providers such as Verizon FiOS or AT&T U-verse will vary by local market, due to system capacity limits or local marketing objectives.

If you currently subscribe to a Pay TV service, you should talk with your provider to determine exactly which HD channels you're eligible to receive.

The following is a list of all known HD channels in the US as of early June 2007. Note that channels that appear in red and with an asterisk have been announced but are not broadcasting, though most that appear here are scheduled to debut before the end of 2007.

In addition, note that regional spots channels are provided on a local basis; in most cases, you will only be eligible to receive the regional sports network channel (or channels) that directly serve the market area where you live.

General Interest

U.S.: A&E, BBC^*, Bravo^*, FX*, HDNet, MOJO, TBS^*, TNT, Universal, USA Network^*

News

U.S: CNBC^*, CNN^*, HD News, Weather Channel^*

Movies

U.S.: Cinemax, Film Fest, HBO, HBO 2^*, HBO Family^*, HBO Latino^*, HBO Signature^*, HDNet Movies, MGM^*, MoreMax^*, Showtime, Starz, Starz Edge^*, Starz Comedy^*, Starz Kids & Family^*, The Movie Channel

Sports

U.S.: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews^*,Golf/Versus; MLB Network^*, MLB Extra Innings; NBA TV, NBA League Pass, NFL Network, NFL Sunday Ticket; NHL Center Ice, Outdoor Channel, Rush, Speed^*, Tennis Channel^*, World Sport

U.S. Regional Sports Networks: Altitude, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet West, Fox Sports Net Arizona, Fox Sports Net Bay Area, Fox Sports Net Detroit, Fox Sports Net Florida, Fox Sports Net Midwest, Fox Sports Net Prime Ticket, Fox Sports Net New England, Fox Sports Net North, Fox Sports Net Northwest, Fox Sports Net Ohio, Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain, Fox Sports Net Seattle, Fox Sports Net South, Fox Sports Net Southwest, Fox Sports Net West, Madison Square Garden, New England Sports Network, SportsNet New York, SportsTime Ohio, Sun Sports, YES

Family

U.S.: ABC Family*, Cartoon Network*, Disney Channel^*, Family Room, Toon Disney^*

Documentary/Nature

U.S.: Animal Planet^*, Discovery, Equator, HistoryChannel^*, National Geographic, Science Channel^*, TLC^*

Lifestyle

U.S.: Food Network, Gallery, Game Play, Home & Garden, Music HD, Rave, Treasure, Ultra, Wealth

Special Interest

U.S.: Animania, Chiller, Monster, Sci-Fi^*, Sleuth^*
^{* = announced/pending}

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