Discovery HD Theater just announced the addition of Hollywood Spotlight, a monthly high definition look at the newest movie trailers, and Screening Room, a monthly sneak peek at upcoming premiere programming on the all-HD network. Discovery HD Theater has been available for some time on Dish Network and has now just recently become available on DirecTV starting July 1. The following are descriptions of some of the high definition specials airing July through September 2003: First in July is Journey To The Center Of The Earth (parts one and two premiere July 14 and July 15 at 8PM ET/5PM PT respectively) in which viewers venture into the pages of Jules Verne’s classic adventure book and follow the evolution of modern scientific theories. Also broadcasting in July is the second episode of the three part special Wild Nights – programs developed specifically for HD. Wild Nights: A Night In The Savannah premieres on Monday, July ...

Consumers often ask: “What is HDTV? How do I get it? and What is the right antenna for me?” TERK Technologies answers these questions and more with its new HDTV Initiative. Together with three new outdoor antennas, Terk is releasing a series of educational tools for the retailer and consumer alike. The Reception Center POP (point of purchase) display is an integral part of the launch of the HDTV initiative. The Reception Center was designed to inform consumers about free HDTV broadcasting as well as to assist them in selecting the proper on-air antenna. Terk hopes that this countertop, slat-wall or shelf-mount display will increase the attachment rate of antennas to HDTV sets. It is combined with a pocket-size information card for the sales associates.

According to the NY Times and other online sources Fox plans to transmit at least fifty percent of their prime time shows in HDTV starting in the fall of 2004. This move will bring Fox in line with its main competitors, which already transmit most of their prime-time dramas and comedies in HDTV. This transition will require Fox to change all of its digital equipment. Fox declined to say which programs would be transmitted in HDTV, but did say that they hope to be able to begin broadcasting in HDTV later this year or early in 2004. The Network will use a 720p transmission format.

“The Sopranos,” the popular modern day mobster series on HBO is on for one more season. This sixth season will last for 10 episodes. These additional ten episodes will complete seventy-five Sopranos episodes total, enough for a potential sale in syndication. The first five seasons all have thirteen episodes, but after having some reservations, David Chase, the creator, decided on a shorter ten episode final season. With the additional season, "The Sopranos" will end with 75 episodes on HBO, enough for a potential sale in syndication, which is likely to be among the most lucrative ever for a cable program.

The announcement made by DirecTV last week that they would be broadcasting a host of new HDTV channels including ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater and HDNet Movies makes the pitch for HDTV to the mainstream consumer far more compelling. Millions of people are thinking of investing in HDTV but the big objections continue to be limited access to HDTV signals and the lack of good programming. Terrestrial HDTV (available in many large U.S. cities) has a good amount of HD programming (especially in prime time) but not everyone can pull in the signals. While the broadcasts are over the air – they are also like cell phones with many of the same reception problems. Digital cable is quickly getting HDTV savvy by adding channels and increasing its services to wider areas but still far from everyone in the nation can get digital cable – let alone digital cable HDTV.