2 recommendations |
Os
Member
2020-Aug-6 5:50 pm
New HD Channels 8/25?I'm hearing reports from the Comcast forum that the following HD channels are coming 8/25. Anyone else seeing this in their areas?
I'm hearing Cooking Channel HD, DIY HD, WGN HD, Pop HD, C-SPAN HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD and Zona Futbol HD.
I've since learned this is for Central PA, which is actually where I live. The only one of these that's new to everyone is Zona Futbol HD. Smithsonian HD is already here currently, but it may be going IP only. The rest are not available in this region currently, but I know many other Comcast regions have these channels already. But there's channels available here that aren't in other regions. I know Florida, Illinois and California all lack Smithsonian HD currently.
Are you getting any bill notifications of channels migrating to IP only or new channels you previously didn't have in your market?
Comcast may finally be getting their HD offerings fixed. |
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4 recommendations |
We've had all of those in the Atlanta area for years with the possible exception of Zona Futbol which I'm not sure about. |
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1 recommendation |
Os
Member
2020-Aug-6 9:02 pm
Like I said, every market is different. Zona Futbol HD is new to Comcast. Cox added it a few months ago. C-SPAN HD isn't in Atlanta.
Did you get any announcements in Atlanta? There's some odd things they're missing that have been up this way for years like Universal Kids, Discovery Family and others. |
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to Os
said by Os:I'm hearing reports from the Comcast forum that the following HD channels are coming 8/25. Anyone else seeing this in their areas?
I'm hearing Cooking Channel HD, DIY HD, WGN HD, Pop HD, C-SPAN HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD and Zona Futbol HD. ... Yeah, I believe we have all of those already in HD here too, except for the Zona Futbol. |
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kdex86 join:2016-06-10 Norton, MA
1 recommendation |
kdex86
Member
2020-Aug-7 8:01 am
said by Os:I'm hearing reports from the Comcast forum that the following HD channels are coming 8/25. Anyone else seeing this in their areas?
I'm hearing Cooking Channel HD, DIY HD, WGN HD, Pop HD, C-SPAN HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD and Zona Futbol HD. ... said by telcodad:Yeah, I believe we have all of those already in HD here too, except for the Zona Futbol. All of these channels are still SD only in the Boston market. I'm surprised TV Land HD isn't on this list. Aren't they a "sibling" of Pop and Smithsonian now that CBS and Viacom have merged? |
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1 recommendation |
Os
Member
2020-Aug-7 10:10 am
Cooking HD and DIY HD are available in the city of Boston and Brookline systems. Nowhere else there.
The issue with TV Land appears to be involved with Viacom wanting it as a QAM channel. You may recall that many lesser Viacom channels were added recently HD IP, like BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., Nick Too, Teen Nick, Nicktoons. You are correct in that TV Land is now a sibling of Pop and Smithsonian. |
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kdex86 join:2016-06-10 Norton, MA |
kdex86
Member
2020-Aug-7 10:46 am
said by Os:Cooking HD and DIY HD are available in the city of Boston and Brookline systems. Nowhere else there. Why do Boston and Brookline get more HD channels than the other Comcast subscribers in Massachusetts? I've also noticed their Comcast channel lineup is completely topsy-turvy when compared to the rest of Massachusetts. For example, they have NESN on channel 13, ESPN on channel 15, and CNN on channel 17. The rest of the state has NESN on channel 51, with all expanded basic channels at or above channel 24. What's the reasoning behind this? |
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3 recommendations |
Os
Member
2020-Aug-7 12:52 pm
This is a great question without a great answer.
Comcast in Massachusetts, like everywhere else it operates, is a patchwork of numerous cable systems acquired over the years from many different operators. The variation you see on the lower end (2-99) channels basically stems from that. The immediate Boston systems originated from MediaOne, but other systems originated from TCI and Adelphia that I know of, and likely some other operators in there too. So Comcast is largely in those number ranges, based off decisions made 25-30 years ago or more. I can tell you that to this day, there are still channels not carried in the former Adelphia areas, and they were all fully integrated by 2008. Many of them had Fox Sports 2 when the rest of Comcast didn't, but still lack Cooking Channel and DIY.
The issue with Boston and Brookline getting more HD channels than the rest of the suburbs is something also seen both in Chicago and Philadelphia with Comcast. The city systems have anywhere from 5-20 more HD channels. Some of it is bandwidth capacity, some of it doesn't make a lot of sense at all. The city systems in Philadelphia for a very brief time had every premium in HD, then they removed all of them.
The Boston and Brookline systems have the following HD channels that aren't otherwise found on any suburban system in Boston:
Cooking Channel HD, Disney Jr., HD, DIY HD, GSN HD, Outdoor Channel HD, HBO Family HD, HBO West HD, HBO 2 West HD, HBO Signature West HD, HBO Family West HD, MoreMax HD, Max Latino HD, Cinemax West HD, MoreMax West HD.
The non-premium channels were added in probably the last year or two. I wish I could explain that one. There's a different assortment of HD channels in general from every Comcast market and state. There's even a pretty big difference between the Comcast areas tied to Boston and the Comcast systems in Springfield that are based off systems in Northern New England. It's quite messy, and is why I made the post I did. I figure if they're fixing these holes throughout the company, these announcements could vary from market to market as many of the channels I mentioned above are carried elsewhere, but not in Central PA. |
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Os
1 recommendation |
to telcodad
NJ doesn't have Cooking Channel HD or DIY HD, but should have the rest of these. WGN depends on the market in NJ. Some have it, others don't. |
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to Os
said by Os:Did you get any announcements in Atlanta? None that I’m aware of, but it’s possible. |
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to Os
said by Os:said by telcodad:said by Os:I'm hearing reports from the Comcast forum that the following HD channels are coming 8/25. Anyone else seeing this in their areas?
I'm hearing Cooking Channel HD, DIY HD, WGN HD, Pop HD, C-SPAN HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD and Zona Futbol HD. ... Yeah, I believe we have all of those already in HD here too, except for the Zona Futbol. NJ doesn't have Cooking Channel HD or DIY HD, but should have the rest of these. Whoops, you're right! said by Os:WGN depends on the market in NJ. Some have it, others don't. Yeah, we have WGN America HD on channels 898 and 1420 here. |
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to kdex86
Why aren’t you watching HD channels and then use the neighborhood grouping of channels? |
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Anonf1912 to Os
Anon
2020-Aug-9 2:02 am
to Os
In our area 32448 we have none of the listed channels in HD, nor do we have Outdoor or Sportsman channel in HD. I have not seen any info yet on whether we will ever see them in HD..... but maybe some will be available on 8/25. |
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jblues join:2001-04-28 Allen Park, MI |
to Os
said by Os:I'm hearing Cooking Channel HD, DIY HD, WGN HD, Pop HD, C-SPAN HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD and Zona Futbol HD. The only one we dont have in Downriver Detroit is Pop HD. (I am not too sure about Galavision HD or Zona Futbol HD either...) But we do have the rest. |
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Dan A join:2008-01-03 Kendall Park, NJ |
to telcodad
Still no TVLand in HD in NJ in all NJ markets as far as i know. |
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jblues join:2001-04-28 Allen Park, MI |
jblues
Member
2020-Aug-9 4:12 pm
Yeah we don't have TV Land HD in Downriver Detroit either... |
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Os
Member
2020-Aug-9 4:38 pm
No one in Comcast has TV Land HD at this time. |
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Os |
to Anonf1912
Check your latest bill, and let me know if you see anything here.
Some things like Outdoor HD and Sportsman HD are already available here, so other regions missing those may see them in different notices.
I would assume if it's IP driven that all of the footprint will get Cooking HD and DIY HD if they don't have them already. Some of that may be pushed by DIY being rebranded for Magnolia later this year. |
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Anonf1912
Anon
2020-Aug-11 2:02 am
My latest bill came in yesterday and there was no mention of any new channels, no DIY, Cooking, Sportsman or Outdoor channel coming in HD. We don't get Smithsonian in SD or HD.
We are in a very rural area of the Florida Panhandle between Tallahassee and Pensacola so I'm not surprised that there was no mention of these channels coming in HD. We have been waiting for 14 years for these channels in HD...... looks like we will continue to wait. |
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Os
Member
2020-Aug-11 9:13 am
Do you have any of the recently added IP channels? Some areas don't have that capability, and they tend to be rural systems with very limited capacity. |
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Anonf1912
Anon
2020-Aug-12 2:17 am
Yes we did the get IP channels added so perhaps we will get the other HD channels soon........ |
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to jblues
You may hear something about Ovation if you get any notices, a frequently carried channel in HD for Comcast that isn't carried for some reason in Michigan or Indiana. |
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3 recommendations |
to Os
I just had a flashback to 13 years ago when I would get the internal marketing materials and update the Central PA new HD news here in the forums. Almost amazing to me that in those years since, the HD channel additions and tech upgrades have stagnated so much. I can't believe we are still seeing "New HD channels coming..." posts 15 years down the road since my first day there. |
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1 recommendation |
Os
Member
2020-Aug-14 12:13 pm
Until the last year or so, Comcast had essentially done nothing after 2011. Once all the World of More transitions happened, and there was that initial addition of some other channels (coupled with the deletion of premiums for them), the status quo was the norm.
It appears through IP, Comcast is finally getting where it needs to be, and having lineups more comparable to their competitors. There's still holes, but they're increasingly marginal. The only 2 somewhat major channels they don't have in HD are TV Land and American Heroes Channel. Everything else is at least carried on a regional basis somewhere. And Comcast is actually leading ahead somewhat on HD international channels. |
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owlyn MVM join:2004-06-05 Newtown, PA Netgear CM2050V Netgear RBRE960 Netgear RBSE960
2 recommendations |
owlyn
MVM
2020-Aug-14 12:55 pm
I don’t have X1, so I don’t know if I will be getting these, but part of Bucks County PA is getting: Xfinity TV Update: On August 25, 2020, the following channel changes will occur: Cooking HD, DIY HD, Zona Futbol, and Zona Futbol HD will be added to the Digital Preferred Tier; WGN America HD will be added to Entertainment and Expanded Basic; Zona Futbol and Zona Futbol HD will be added to Xfinity TV Latino. These channels will continue to be available in standard definition (SD) format in other channel locations. HD channels require HD Technology Fee and X1 TV Box or compatible customer owned device.
Also: Xfinity TV Update: Effective July 15, 2020, Showtime Networks will replace SHO BEYOND with SHO x BET. |
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2 recommendations |
to Comcast Guy
said by Comcast Guy:... I can't believe we are still seeing "New HD channels coming..." posts 15 years down the road since my first day there. Well I can't believe that Comcast still charges some subscribers a $9.95/mo "HD Technology Fee!" |
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1 recommendation |
Os
Member
2020-Aug-14 2:36 pm
@telcodad, I believe the HD Technology Fee only exists now on older accounts. Anyone who has moved to newer pricing models isn't charged this fee any longer.
@owlyn, I don’t have X1, so I don’t know if I will be getting these, but part of Bucks County PA is getting: Xfinity TV Update: On August 25, 2020, the following channel changes will occur: Cooking HD, DIY HD, Zona Futbol, and Zona Futbol HD will be added to the Digital Preferred Tier; WGN America HD will be added to Entertainment and Expanded Basic; Zona Futbol and Zona Futbol HD will be added to Xfinity TV Latino. These channels will continue to be available in standard definition (SD) format in other channel locations. HD channels require HD Technology Fee and X1 TV Box or compatible customer owned device.
You will not be. These are IP launch channels.
Of the channels listed for Central PA, these are the only ones that aren't carried in the Philadelphia area. The Philadelphia area has already had C-SPAN HD, Pop HD, Smithsonian HD and Galavision HD.
One interesting note is that C-SPAN 2 HD is carried in the city of Philadelphia, but not the suburbs of the city. The city has had Cooking HD and DIY HD for many years now. This doesn't appear to be changing yet. It also doesn't appear we'll be seeing an HD version of C-SPAN 3, which exists, but not for Comcast anywhere. C-SPAN 2 HD only exists in a few markets for Comcast, most notably MD and VA (including DC) and in some parts of South Carolina and Florida.
Of the many channels added in Philadelphia city only, and not the suburbs, outside of C-SPAN 2 HD, the only other one that remains is Reelz Channel HD that the suburbs still don't have. |
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4 recommendations |
said by Os:said by telcodad:said by Comcast Guy:... I can't believe we are still seeing "New HD channels coming..." posts 15 years down the road since my first day there. Well I can't believe that Comcast still charges some subscribers a $9.95/mo "HD Technology Fee!" @telcodad, I believe the HD Technology Fee only exists now on older accounts. Anyone who has moved to newer pricing models isn't charged this fee any longer. .. Yes, that's why I said "some subscribers," ones who have older, grandfathered plans. The fact that in 2020 an "HD Technology Fee" still is being charged to anyone now is like some phone companies that were still charging a "Touch-Tone Service Fee" in 1990: » www.latimes.com/archives ··· ory.html |
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to Os
said by Os:I'm hearing Cooking Channel HD, DIY HD, WGN HD, Pop HD, C-SPAN HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD and Zona Futbol HD. I know Florida, Illinois and California all lack Smithsonian HD currently. Just got my new bill & the ONLY channel notifications, are for those 3 junk .TV channels I already know we have. As you also pointed out, our region already has some of these, except for POP HD, Galavision HD, Smithsonian HD & Zona Futbol (not here even in SD) - but I'll look after 8/25 & see if anything new gets added here. It also seems that our channel notifications always seem to come AFTER something has actually occurred - which kinda makes these notifications useless. |
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Os
Member
2020-Aug-16 1:25 pm
Rich, I've heard the notifications about some of these channels have extended into New England, who is missing all these and some more. I was told the New England notice was extensive, but I don't know what all is on it yet. 8/25 is going to be interesting. New England is missing some things like GSN HD and Outdoor Channel HD that are throughout PA, in addition to the channels mentioned here.
I would suspect Zona Futbol SD and HD are coming nationwide to all areas with Spanish channels, even if nothing else does. While everyone got the Asian, Brazilian and other channels, some larger areas never got the IP Spanish channels. Most of these are in states like Tennessee and Alabama. |
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