AXS TV: Difference between revisions
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owner= HDNet Inc.| |
owner= HDNet Inc.| |
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sister names=[[HDNet Movies]]| |
sister names=[[HDNet Movies]]| |
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former names= HDNet| |
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web=[http://www.axs.tv axs.tv]| |
web=[http://www.axs.tv axs.tv]| |
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picture format=[[1080i]]| |
picture format=[[1080i]]| |
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== Programming == |
== Programming == |
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[[File:KSC Press Area.JPG|thumb|HDNet production trailer stored between launches at the Kennedy Space Center press area]] |
[[File:KSC Press Area.JPG|thumb|HDNet production trailer stored between launches at the Kennedy Space Center press area]] |
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HDNet airs exclusively [[1080i]] [[High-definition television|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 pie |
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HDNet airs exclusively [[1080i]] [[High-definition television|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.<ref>[http://www.hdnetmovies.com/pressrelease.html?2006-10-25-01.html HDNet press release]</ref> ''[[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! (TV series)|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 (TV series)|Smallville]]'', and ''[[Andy Richter Controls the Universe]]''. Programs from [[public television]], such as [[Rick Steves]]' [[travel documentary|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 (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' joined the HDNet lineup. HDNet also features ''[[Bikini Destinations]]'' (2003–present) and ''[[Get Out! (TV series)|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]]''.<ref>[http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/article/2010-05-07/cubans-hdnet-partnering-girls-gone-wild Cuban's HDNet partnering with Girls Gone Wild] ''Sporting News'' May 7, 2010</ref> 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. |
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===Sports=== |
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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. |
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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. |
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In 2009 and 2010, HDNet showed ''[[Ring of Honor Wrestling]]'' from the [[professional wrestling]] promotion [[Ring of Honor]]. |
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On August 4, 2009, HDNet reached a television partner deal with the [[United Football League (2009)|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. |
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In July 2009, HDNet offered live coverage of the [[Autobahn Grand Prix]], a racing event held at the [[Autobahn Country Club]] in [[Joliet, Illinois]]. |
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==List of Programs== |
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===Original Programming=== |
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'''Sports''' |
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* ''[[HDNet Fights]]'' |
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* ''[[Inside MMA]]'' |
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* ''[[United Football League (2009)|UFL]]'' |
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* ''[[NCAA College Football]]'' |
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* ''[[NCAA College Basketball]]'' |
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* ''[[The Voice Versus]]'' |
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* ''[[National Hockey League]]'' |
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'''Music''' |
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* ''[[HDNet Concert Series]]'' |
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* ''[[Ray Johnston Band: Road Diaries]]'' |
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'''News and Documentaries''' |
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* ''[[Dan Rather Reports]]'' |
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* ''[[HDNet World Report]]'' |
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* ''[[NASA on HDNet]]'' |
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'''Late Night Programming''' |
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* ''Drinking Made Easy with [[Zane Lamprey]] |
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* ''[[Girls Gone Wild (franchise)|Girls Gone Wild]]'s Search for the Hottest Girl in America'' |
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* ''[[Svetlana (TV series)|Svetlana]] |
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* ''[[Get Out! (TV series)|Get Out!]]'' |
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* ''[[Deadline!]]'' |
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* ''[[Art Mann]] Presents... |
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* ''[[Bikini Destinations]]'' |
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* ''[[Vegas Confessions]]'' |
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* ''[[New York Confessions]]'' |
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* ''[[Bikini Barbershop: Jersey]]'' |
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===Syndicated Programs=== |
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* ''[[Smallville]]'' |
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* ''[[JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' |
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* ''[[Torchwood]]'' |
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* ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' |
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* ''[[Smart Travels Europe]]'' |
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* ''[[Cheers]]'' |
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* ''[[Prison Break]]'' |
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==On Demand== |
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HDNet and sister channel [[HDNet Movies]] also have [[Video on demand]] versions. [[DirecTV]] added the on demand versions of both on October 24, 2009.<ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/383291-DirecTV_Adds_HDNet_On_Demand.php DirecTV Adds HDNet On-Demand - Provides movies, news and events via broadband] ''Broadcasting & Cable'' November 6, 2009</ref> |
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==In popular culture== |
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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." |
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==HDNet Movies== |
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{{Main|HDNet Movies}} |
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HDNet's companion channel is HDNet Movies, which airs uncut, commercial free movies from all genres and eras. |
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== References == |
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*[http://www.hd.net/factsheet.html HDNet Fact Sheet] |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hdnet}} |
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[[Category:Commercial-free television networks|HDNet Movies]] |
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[[Category:American television networks]] |
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[[Category:2929 Entertainment holdings]] |
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[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in Denver]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in Dallas, Texas]] |
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Revision as of 14:43, 2 July 2012
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, United States |
|---|---|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | HDNet Inc. |
AXS TV is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in both high-definition and standard-definition 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 saw the channel rebrand as AXS TV on July 2, 2012.[1][2]
History
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.
Canadian carriage
In fall 2006, Rogers Cable, Bell TV and Cogeco 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.
However, by 2010 (due in many cases to carriage disputes or few subscribers), several major television providers in Canada began to drop HDNet, including Bell TV (in October 2010), Rogers Cable (on November 1, 2011), Cogeco (on January 31, 2012), and Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct in the spring of 2012.
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.
Major television providers in Canada also began to drop HDNet in 2010, including Bell TV (in October 2010), Rogers Cable (on November 1, 2011), Cogeco (on January 31, 2012), and Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct in the spring of 2012.
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 on July 2, 2012 as AXS TV (pronounced "access"), a name taken from AEG's ticket sales site AXS.[1][3][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 MMA programming (including Inside MMA), though some hard-edged male-oriented programming may be phased out.[4]
As part of the AXS TV announcement, Dish Network would expand the channel's distribution to non-high-definition customers; the channel, then still known as HDNet, was moved to Dish channel 131 in Spring 2012, allowing AXS TV to be available to at least 35 million Dish Network subscribers at its rebranding.[3]
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 pie
- ^ a b "Ryan Seacrest Joins AEG, CAA to Relaunch Mark Cuban's HDNet, from The Wrap, 1/18/2012
- ^ a b "HDNet relaunches Monday as AXS TV, promises continued MMA programming," from MMAJunkie.com, 6/29/2012
- ^ 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