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December 5th, 2008

New Channel - Big Ten Network Launching December 3rd, 2008

On December 3rd, 2008 Star Choice will launch the Big Ten Network, which will be available as a Freeview from December 3rd to December 31st, 2008.

The Big Ten Network is a channel dedicated to capturing the tradition of the Big Ten Conference, which is a union of 11 world-class academic institutions (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin). 

Fans across the nation can enjoy live sporting events and campus programming captured from the Big Ten’s 11 storied universities. This channel will be available to customers by subscribing to the More Sports bundle.

The Big Ten Network broadcasts over 400 live sporting events each year (also in high-definition) and covers sports ranging from football, basketball, baseball, swimming, cross country, wrestling, soccer, volleyball and much more!
 
Available on Freeview from December 3rd to December 31st 2008.
Standard Definition on channel 410. IPG Tag: BIG 10
Big Ten Network SD will be available in the MORE SPORTS bundle.
Big Ten Network in HD is anticipated to arrive at the end of January, 2009.

  Q & A: 

Q: Will the Big Ten Network be available as a part of a Take 1 or Take 2?
A: At this time, the Big Ten Network is available only in the More Sports bundle.

Q: Will the Big Ten Network be available in HD?
A: Star Choice expects to launch the HD equivalent by end of January 2009.

December 4th, 2008

DIRECTV is adding Local PBS HD In 14 Markets

As a first for the satellite TV industry,  DIRECTV has started adding local PBS High-Definition channelss promised earlier this year.

DIRECTV offers local HD channels in 115 markets now and plans to expand that to 121 markets by year’s end.
The local PBS HD channels launch follows the recent approval of an agreement announced earlier this year by DIRECTV and the Association of Public Television Stations. Under the agreement, DIRECTV will offer high-def programming from local PBS stations in markets where it now provides local HD channels.

The satellite company says 14 markets now have local PBS HD channels in their DIRECTV lineups. And they are:

Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque, Iowa; Chicago; Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island-Moline, Ill.; Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Norfolk-Newport News, Va.; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Rochester, N.Y.; and Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas.

DIRECTV says PBS HD channels will be added to more markets this year and in 2009.