HDNet
| HDNet | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | September 6, 2001 |
| Owned by | HDNet Inc. |
| Picture format | 1080i |
| Slogan | Original. Provocative. Independent. |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Sister channel(s) | HDNet Movies |
| Website | HD.net |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | 306 1306 VOD |
| Dish Network | 362 |
| Shaw Direct (Canada) |
275 / 363 |
| Cable | |
| Available on many cable systems | Check local listings |
| Verizon FiOS | 569 |
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television. The channel currently shows a wide variety of HD programming, using the 1080i video standard, without focusing on any specific genre. HDNet is owned by HDNet, Inc., a company founded by investor Mark Cuban in 2001. A share of the channel is in the process of being purchased by a group including Ryan Seacrest and entertainment companies Anschutz Entertainment Group and Creative Artists Agency, a move that will see the channel rebrand as AXS TV sometime during the summer of 2012.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Launch and availability in the United States
On September 6, 2001, HDNet was launched by Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban and Philip Garvin, owner of Colorado Studios and Mobile TV Group. In December 2001 and January 2002 HDNet aired exclusive HD coverage of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan with former CNN correspondent Peter Arnett. In February 2002, they originated eight hours of high definition video each day from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. This feed was picked up by NBC and aired in 24 hour rotation on NBC's digital television stations. The channel has since grown to be available on a number of platforms, including the DirecTV and Dish Network satellite services and the cable systems of Charter Communications, Insight Communications, Mediacom, Suddenlink Communications, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse. On September 4, 2008, Cuban announced that Comcast officially made an agreement to carry both HDNet and HDNet Movies to their subscribers in various markets, and began rolling out HDNet in many major markets as of September 30, 2010.
[edit] Canadian carriage
In fall 2006, Rogers Cable and Bell TV in Canada added HDNet to their lineups; Shaw Cablesystems followed in April 2007. Presently, as is the case with many U.S.-based channels, HDNet does not own the Canadian rights to some of their sporting events or off-network repeats aired in the U.S. These are blacked out and replaced with additional repeats of HDNet's original programming. While referred to on the channel's website as "HDNet Canada", this is not a separate Canadian channel, but an alternate U.S.-based feed.
Bell TV dropped HDNet from their channel lineup on December 7, 2010 as being advertised on the channel's program 'info' screen since October 2010 due to dispute in carriage agreement.
Rogers Cable removed HDNet from their channel lineup on November 1, 2011.
[edit] Carriage removals
Time Warner Cable announced on May 18, 2009 that it would drop HDNet and HDNet Movies across all cable systems effective May 31. Brighthouse Networks, an affiliate of Time Warner Cable, told its customers that Time Warner Cable canceled negotiations with HDNet and HDNet movies. According to claims made by Brighthouse representatives "HDNet wants to charge Time Warner Cable more for their programming content but Time Warner Cable does not want to pay more in order to save raising the cost of cable services to its (Brighthouse) customers". Subsequently other HD channels by lower cost providers, such as MavTV, The Outdoor Channel and The Sportsman Channel have taken the place of the HDNet networks.
HDNet and HDNet Movies saw more of a fallout in carriage in 2009. Providers who have not renewed deals to carry HDNet and HDNet movies include RCN, Mediacom and MetroCast Cablevision. In February 2011, Cox dropped both channels.
[edit] Purchase and conversion to AXS TV
On January 18, 2012, HDNet announced a joint venture with TV/radio personality/producer Ryan Seacrest, entertainment company/promoter Anschutz Entertainment Group, and talent agency Creative Artists Agency. AEG, CAA, and Ryan Seacrest Media will purchase a share of the network (with Cuban also retaining ownership), which will rebrand during the summer of 2012 as AXS TV (pronounced "access"), a name taken from AEG's ticket sales site AXS.[1][2]
With the rebrand to AXS TV, the channel will shift its focus to a mix of lifestyle, pop culture, and performances, with an emphasis on live events and programming. Included in the mix will be concert and entertainment events, including those staged at AEG-owned venues (including Los Angeles' Staples Center and L.A. Live and London's The O2). Programs also being considered include red carpet events and a regular pop culture program similar in vein to ESPN's SportsCenter. Some HDNet programming will remain, including Dan Rather Reports and Inside MMA, though some hard-edged male-oriented programming may be phased out.[3]
As part the AXS TV announcement, Dish Network will expand the channel's distribution to non-high-definition customers, meaning the channel will be available to at least 35 million Dish Network subscribers.[2]
[edit] Programming
HDNet airs exclusively 1080i high definition content from a diverse base of genres. A number of the channel's programs are original, such as Dan Rather Reports, a signature news program featuring hour-long investigative news pieces (both topical and ongoing) hosted by the veteran journalist - he joined HDNet in July 2006.[4]; HDNet World Report, an hour-long news magazine; Ultimate Trailer Show (hosted by Dallas Observer writer Robert Wilonsky), which centers on teasers and long form trailers; Deadline! (hosted by Katie Daryl); and Get Out! (hosted by Cara Zavaleta). Other programs are licensed from the major media corporations Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures among others. These include Smallville, and Andy Richter Controls the Universe. Programs from public television, such as Rick Steves' travelogue programs and Rudy Maxa's Smart Travels series, are also bought via syndication from their producing stations to air on the network. NASA Space Shuttle launches and landings often air live. In September 2006 Star Trek: Enterprise and Arrested Development joined the HDNet lineup. HDNet also features Bikini Destinations (2003 - present) and Get Out!, a travel show featuring various models visiting hot spots around the world. In early 2010, it began broadcasting Girls Gone Wild Presents: Search for the Hottest Girl in America.[5] In October 2011, HDnet picked up Goodnight Burbank, the world's first scripted half-hour comedy originally created for the web starring Hayden Black, Laura Silverman & Dominic Monaghan. Most programs are presented uncensored and unrated during late-night hours.
[edit] Sports
The channel also broadcasts a number of sporting events, including Inside MMA a weekly sports program hosted by Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten focused on the sport of mixed martial arts in coordination with Cuban's HDNet Fights promotion.
Unlike most other broadcasters offering high definition programming, HDNet is not available in standard definition. HDNet's sports programming also uses wider shots of the playing field or arena than most SD telecasts, since the network does not have to protect the shot for a 4:3 aspect ratio, giving HDNet the ability to fill the entire 16:9 widescreen with detail. Other networks that simulcast an event in standard definition must either protect the shot for the 4:3 aspect ratio or letterbox the standard definition telecast.
HDNet recently signed a deal with Professional wrestling promotion Ring of Honor to produce Ring of Honor Wrestling, a showcase of the promotion that will be filmed using HDNet equipment.
On August 4, 2009, HDNet reached a television partner deal with the United Football League announcing that they would air games on Saturday night in October. The broadcast deal lasted for the first two seasons, before HDNet dropped the league prior to the 2011 season.
In July, 2009, HDNet offered live coverage of the Autobahn Grand Prix, a racing event held at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois.
[edit] List of Programs
[edit] Original Programming
Sports
- HDNet Fights
- Inside MMA
- UFL
- NCAA College Football
- NCAA College Basketball
- The Voice Versus
- National Hockey League
Music
News and Documentaries
Late Night Programming
- Drinking Made Easy with Zane Lamprey
- Girls Gone Wild's Search for the Hottest Girl in America
- Svetlana
- Get Out!
- Deadline!
- Art Mann Presents...
- Bikini Destinations
- Vegas Confessions
- New York Confessions
- Bikini Barbershop: Jersey
[edit] Syndicated Programs
[edit] On Demand
HDNet and sister channel HDNet Movies also have Video on demand versions. DirecTV added the on demand versions of both on October 24, 2009.[6]
[edit] In popular culture
In a 2007 Saturday Night Live sketch, HDNet's Dan Rather Reports was parodied, with Darrell Hammond, as Rather, claiming "You're watching HDNet. In case you just bought an HDTV and want to make sure it's working, we're the channel for you." This is a parody of its actual slogan "The reason HDTV was invented."
[edit] HDNet Movies
HDNet's companion channel is HDNet Movies, which airs uncut, commercial free movies from all genres and eras.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Ryan Seacrest Joins AEG, CAA to Relaunch Mark Cuban's HDNet, from The Wrap, 1/18/2012
- ^ a b "Concerts to Be Focus in Shift From HDNet to AXS TV," from The New York Times, 1/18/2012
- ^ "Ryan Seacrest Launching TV Network With Mark Cuban, AEG, CAA," from The Hollywood Reporter, 1/18/2012
- ^ HDNet press release
- ^ Cuban's HDNet partnering with Girls Gone Wild Sporting News May 7, 2010
- ^ DirecTV Adds HDNet On-Demand - Provides movies, news and events via broadband Broadcasting & Cable November 6, 2009
