SMATVEE

Senate Approves Digital TV Transition Delay to June 12th

Are you surprised? I'm not and I doubt most people are. After all, it's the Federal Government we're talking about and they've blundered the Digital Transition from the beginning. Now because they've underfunded and created too much confusion, the Digital Transition has now been pushed back to June 12th, 2009. If you haven't already applied for an received your coupons, get in line.

2009 Inauguration Mix channel on DIRECTV

DIRECTV will use it's signature interactive news mix channel to bring you 8 camera views of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration on channel 102 and 352 and of course it will be available in HD.

DIRECTV will also run a “blog ticker” at the bottom of the screen, updating viewers on the networks’ perspective on this historical event, the first 100 days of Obama’s presidency, significant quotes and upcoming guests.

Coverage will start at 7am to 2pm Pacific Time.

DIRECTV Adds Greenville HD Locals, Drops Fargo Station

DIRECTV launched local HD programming to customers in the Greenville-New Bern, N.C. DMA. Stations included in the mix are WITN/NBC, WNCT/CBS and WYDO/FOX. With the market addition, DIRECTV said it offers local HD broadcast channels in 117 cities, representing more than 87 percent of U.S. TV households. Late last week, DIRECTV pulled Fargo, N.D., station KXJB from its local TV lineup for the market. The station is a CBS affiliate.

Got HD? DIRECTV & Thomson Introduce COM100 SMATV HD Headend System

The new DIRECTV COM100 SMATV HD Headend System will be available later this month exclusively from PDI-SAT. Please contact Me or your PDI-SAT sales rep for more information.

DIRECTV Adds Artists and Fans Network

DIRECTV has added the new country music channel Artists and Fans Network (AFN) on channel 325. Here’s how AFN describes it’s service when compared to Great American Country and Country Music Television:

Artists and Fans Network is all about the music. 

We showcase the best in country music videos, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But that is where the similarity to other video broadcasters ends. We go beyond the current top 20 playlist to showcase the other 90% of artists that you may hear on the radio but never see on Great American Country (GAC) or Country Music Television (CMT). AFN features performers like Hank Williams Jr., Darryl Worley, Mark Wills, and Aaron Tippen, who have dedicated followings, broad name recognition, but little to no video air play.

We do not broadcast reality shows or infomercials. We broadcast video music 24/7/365. Simply put, we are all about the music.

Why are we different? We appreciate and support the artists. We support not just the very biggest stars of the hour, but the artists of yesteryear and tomorrow. Our approach, is to offer multi-channel streaming and on-demand music videos paired with a vibrant interactive on-line socially networked community. Visit their website here.

Other DIRECTV channel changes:

The Major League Baseball Channel (MLBHD) has been added in HD at channel 213.

RFD-TV has moved from channel 379 to channel 345.

Golf Channel has also been moved from channel 605 to channel 218.