HDTV World > Understand HDTV > 3 ways to get HDTV programming
The chart: HD programming compared
By Ben Patterson and David Katzmaier
(December 1, 2003; updated May 14, 2008)
(December 1, 2003; updated May 14, 2008)
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Ways to get HDTV Which provider offers better high-def programming options: cable or satellite?
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(Chart updated 10-31-2008. The chart compares the HD channel offerings of satellite, cable and Verizon Fios. We chose services local to New York City for comparative purposes, so your local coverage will vary. Check out the chart key for further details.)
Sources: DirecTV, Dish Network, Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verizon Fios Chart keyNational and Local HD channels: This line is intended to give a true comparison between the various services' HD offerings. It includes all of the national (including premium channels like HBO) and local high-definition channels offered on each service, and specifically excludes pay-per-view channels, RSN networks and exclusives.Total HD Channels: This line includes all of the HD channels offered by each provider, generally regardless of type or local availability. The number for Dish, for example, includes all of the RSN network channels the satellite service offers, despite the fact that a viewer in any one region gets access to at the most four such channels. We say "generally" because this number still excludes HD sports packages such as MLB Extra Innings, HD preview channels, west coast feeds of movie channels like HBO and Starz, and the eight feeds--four each for NY and LA local networks--that DirecTV counts as "national" channels (they're not worth counting because generally viewers only watch, or care about, their own local network). That's why this number is generally lower than the lofty totals advertised by some providers. HD Local Networks (NYC Area): Includes local broadcast affiliates of the major networks, namely ABC, CBS, Fox, MyTV, NBC, PBS, and The CW. In the NYC area, DirecTV and Dish Network don't broadcast MyTV or PBS affiliates, although they do in some areas of the country. HD On-demand/PPV channels: Includes only the HD channels devoted to pay-per-view events and movies. HD Regional Sports Networks: Networks with generally exclusive rights to broadcast the live games of individual sports teams in a particular region. Satellite services offer numerous RSNs, but again only a few are usually available to any particular viewer in any one region--and in general a cable provider will offer a more-complete selection of RSNs to its regional subscribers. The chart differentiates between RSNs available in the NYC area and in other areas. Exclusive: This includes channels not available on other providers, namely the set of fifteen specialty Voom channels offered by Cablevision, along with DirecTV's The 101 and Time Warner's NY1 (a local news channel). Channel Type: Designations include "National," for non-local, non-premium channels of every variety, "Local," for local broadcast affiliates of ABC, NBC and other broadcast networks, and "Premium" for generally extra-charge movie channels like HBO, Showtime and Max (formerly Cinemax). Further types include "RSN" for regional sports networks, and "Exclusive" and "Voom" channels described above. General notesThis chart attempts to compare between the major pay TV services' HD channel offerings, allowing a reader to differentiate between various types of channels. It represents the channels each service offers, including premium movie channels, regardless of programming package, with the exclusions noted above.The two satellite services are by nature national, and offer similar packages (with the exception of RSNs and in some cases local channels) to everyone regardless of region. Cable services and Verizon's Fios, on the other hand, are regional, and HD packages vary by locality. We have chosen the area around New York City as our example locality, namely Time Warner Cable (Brooklyn/Queens), Cablevision's IO Cable (Long Island), Comcast (Jersey City, zip 07310) and Verizon's Fios (Manhattan, zip 10013) services. These should provide typical examples; check with your local cable provider for options in your area. |
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