Bell TV has been at capacity for quite some time yet seem to keep adding HD content. I used to be a subscriber before switching to SD. I wonder if their PQ is sufffering as a result. I don't believe they have moved any services to MPeg 4
It is, they have been putting 5 full time HD channels on some MPEG2 transponders, there is no way the bandwidth is not affected/restricted/lowered doing that.

So it looks like English customers got the shaft this fall with Shaw Direct and we probably are going to be waiting a year plus to see any decent HD added.

From what I've heard transponder 1 (The empty transponder) will be used to deliver video-on-demand content to shaw direct receivers (I would assume the DVR models only).

The question has to be asked. Is this really a big priority? I would wager a guess that most customers would much prefer more HD channels then having what would probably be a very stripped down version of video-on-demand.

I am very surprised that Shaw Direct is not bleeding so many customers. The have by far the weakest HD lineup of any major BDU. There equipment is subpar and they make you pay for any upgrade that may be required.

It really bothers me that Shaw Direct keeps dangling the carrott that once G1 launches they will have an additional 100+ HD channels. I'm willing to bet even after G1 launches, Shaw Direct's HD line-up will stll be subpar when you compare it to Bell or Rogers. I'm willing to bet the majority of the new HD channels will just be PPV, some locals, maybe some specialty channels and probably more filler junk like "The Frame".

Shaw will move after they see the quarterly sub losses following Bell's move to upgrade HD receivers and move to MPEG4. That's the way the Shaw boys were taught - accountants show them a loss and then think "Gee we'll have to do something cheap in the next year to slow the exit"

Proactive management is not found in protected industries

Yes it is dissappointing that it seems the only channels lately Shaw Direct seems to have room for in HD is the Sports Channels. Not that I don't like sports but it would be nice to see them add some other speciality channels. I had emailed "Ask Jim" regarding more HD channels this fall, and they came back and told me about the all the locals they added. Again it is nice but first of all those were SD channels and I do believe they were mandated by the CRTC. Really pondering if we should look at a different service provider, been with Shaw, Starchoice for over 10 years.

The list of HD channels not carried by Shaw Direct is growing fast.

I'm just going to list the English specialty channels

Sportsnet World HD
NBA TV Canada HD
Bold HD
Docementary HD
Wild TV HD
WFN HD
YTV HD
Movietime HD
W HD
Food Network HD
Much HD
Discovery Channel HD
Space HD
Bravo! HD
Family HD
Disney XD HD
MPix HD (East Only)
MExcess HD (East Only)
MFun! HD (East Only)
HLN HD
MSNBC HD
Spike HD
Bloomberg HD
CBC News Network HD
OLN HD
WPIX HD
KTLA HD
WSBK HD
radX
eqHD
HIFI
APTN HD
CBS Sports Network HD
The Weather Network HD
NFL Network HD
Turner Classic Movies HD
NASA TV HD
CityNews HD
OWN HD

That is quite a list and it doesn't even include the missing french HD channels or local channels.

I had no idea that they are this far behind.

Miles behind. This is depressing. I even see on the Bell forum that they are speaking of improved PQ. It seems to soon for mpeg 4 to be the reason. I am really disappointed in the selection on SD. How can Bell just keep adding???

Actually the only reason I have Shaw Direct is for the Detroit Stations and no sim-subbing. I do have Bell as well and yes the P/Q has gotten better.

How does it compare to SD? Do you watch them on the same TV?

So from that list of HD channels SD does NOT have - do both Bell and Rogers offer all of them?

I am only concerned with HD content. I have 0 interest in even receiving standard definition channels - they are simply there due to default in my mind. I've been with SD for 11 years now and find value in the Ontario Value package I'm receiving right now - but if I'm missing out on that much more potential HD channels to enjoy channel surfing...perhaps it's time to seriously consider a change.

SD CSR I spoke to today says
Space HD
Discovery HD
are coming around Christmas - but those are it until 2012.

IMO it's not enough. Shaw Direct should have switched all of the French SD channels to 8PSK as well as all the small market stations. This would have given them enough room to continue adding HD channels up until the new satellite launches in late 2012.

It looks like Shaw Cable customers are starting to pull ahead of Shaw Direct.

They now have

YTV HD
Movietime HD
Food Network HD
BNN HD*
Discovery HD*
Space HD*
Bravo HD*
Animal Planet HD*
*Launching Dec. 15th.

Still nothing for Shaw Direct customers.

It is kind of sad that my mom in a town of 2200 people now has HD service that is vastly superior to that of Shaw Direct, I would say its better than Rogers for that matter. They are now all digital and even have Hollywood Suite, I know Eastlink is not a small company but this is in a small community, Eastlink is at least actively upgrading their small town systems and quite frankly from what I see it makes Shaw Direct look like an also ran in the HD market. Shaw should be biting the bullet and moving more premium services to MPEG4 to increase their channel capacity now. By the time Shaw Direct launches any of the ever increasing list of missing HD channels will they have any high end subscribers left? Unless they want to be the leader in Standard Definition television they need to make some changes now. I am that close to pulling down the dish.

We have decided to pull the plug with Shaw Direct ending about 10 years. Not impressed the lack of adding HD channels other than Sports. When we cancelled two weeks ago the customer service person said that they will be launching more HD channels in February. I am not sure if she understands, I was under the impression the next satellite would be launch sometime in the spring and new channels not until end of 2012 or 2013. Just tried of not getting the facts from them, you think they could be a bit more up front with a customer that has been with them for a long period of time, our patience has run thin.

That's basically the message I've convayed to Shaw Direct. I mentioned in my most recent coraspondance with them that I feel they should be upfront with customers and let them know they are waiting a year plus for anything new.

The thing that irks me the most is all the marketing they are doing around HD. Their HD line-up is just an absolute joke compared to any other service provider.

Also regarding HD additions in February; if they do add anything, it will probably only be 2 or 3 channels and they will probably be lame channels too. Why can't they get ride of THe Frame for a year and place a real HD channel in it's place. Why can't they convert all the HD PPV channels to MPEG-4 to make more room? How about converting more SD channels to 8PSK?

Shaw Direct is just choosing to do nothing with the hopes that most customers will stay and wait for Anik G1. I've had enough of waiting for Shaw Direct to become a viable HD provider. In January, I will be switching to my local cable system which has a much better selection, better hardware and even more HD channels coming in Q1 2012.

I'll be switching at the end of hockey season for the same reasons...apparently, I'm on the hook for the duration of NHLCI....

I didn't bite on the NHL and NFL Sunday Ticket this year. I was really annoyed with having to upgrade equipment just to still watch most of the games in SD.

We are going to wait it out for G1...

...We have their "Home From Away" program....excellent!
...Enjoy HDNet & Bloomberg TV
...Enjoy no sim-subs
...Several other reasons.

I doubt HDNet and Bloomberg are show stoppers for many. I get both of those with my local cable system anyway.

As for Simsubs, I live in Southern Ontario, so I get CTV and Global simsubs on HD channels.