OT: Disney Channel in HD

[DavidandLeahZ]

Checked my DISH Network schedule today and found out all Disney Channels were no longer offered in HD. Customer service said,

"We regret to inform you that Disney Corporation, the owner of Disney Channel, Disney XD, ABC Family and ESPNews, is preventing us from providing these channels to you in high-definition. These channels are still available in standard definition, and you can continue to watch and record your favorite programs in SD. Please remember to reset any DVR timers that may currently be programmed to record these channels in HD. DISH Network is pursuing every avenue possible to restore the HD feeds of these channels."

Was this just with DISH?

- D

 

[jcb]

I'm getting Disney Channel in HD on cable.

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

Wow, I totally didn't notice that till you mentioned it. Sounds like someone is putting the squeeze on Dish Network for more $$$

--DB

 

[mikelan6]

WHAT!!?!?!?!?!? You've gotta be kidding me right? I didn't check this, but I will when I get home. This is ridiculous.

Personally, I am also angry that Dish won't transmit my local PBS station in HD. Every time I watch something on that channel, half the image (one the sides) is missing!!!

 

[jcb]

Just as an FYI, Dish Network filed its Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results (10-Q) with the SEC this morning. In it, DISH stated:

During 2008, we filed a lawsuit against ESPN, Inc., ESPN Classic, Inc., ABC Cable Networks Group, Soapnet L.L.C., and International Family Entertainment (collectively, “ESPN”) for breach of contract in New York State Supreme Court. Our complaint alleges that ESPN failed to provide us with certain high-definition feeds of the Disney Channel, ESPN News, Toon, and ABC Family. ESPN asserted a counterclaim, and then filed a motion for summary judgment, alleging that we owed approximately $35 million under the applicable affiliation agreements. We brought a motion to amend our complaint to assert that ESPN was in breach of certain most-favored-nation provisions under the applicable affiliation agreements. On April 15, 2009, the trial court granted our motion to amend the complaint, and granted, in part, ESPN’s motion on the counterclaim, finding that we are liable for some of the amount alleged to be owing but that the actual amount owing is disputed. We appealed the partial grant of ESPN’s motion to the New York trial court. After the partial grant of ESPN’s motion, ESPN sought an additional $30 million under the applicable affiliation agreements. On March 15, 2010, the trial court affirmed the prior grant of ESPN’s motion and ruled that we owe the full amount of approximately $65 million under the applicable affiliation agreement. Although the court ruled we owe approximately $65 million, there can be no assurance that ESPN will not seek, and that the court will not award, an amount that exceeds this amount. We have appealed the court’s ruling. We intend to vigorously prosecute and defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

I'd expect this lawsuit has something to do with why Disney Channel, Disney XD, ABC Family and ESPNews are not being shown in HD. I'm not sure, of course.

 

[simonkodousek]

We have them all on Time Warner.

 

[mikelan6]

I called my DISH representative and they had no idea what was going on. I asked them to relay my dissatisfaction to DISH, but I doubt they will do so.

 

[darrengs]

This kind of takes the wind out of the sails of their get free HD for life promotion.