Eastlink is not thinking forward. HDTV sales are growing.

"In his keynote speech at HD World, DIRECTV Entertainment President David Hill urged more cable networks to launch high-def channels. The satcaster is scheduled to expand its high-def lineup in 2007 by launching two new satellites. Hill said the non-HD networks must "go HD or get lost in the mix."

If more people are buying HDTVs and more networks go HD, Eastlink will be SOL!

Boodaddy, I don't disagree, but realistically, it's likely a pretty small demographic of the overall Eastlink customer base that is HD capable. And likely will be for a couple of years at least. Hopefully, they'll get their act together and recognize that it is important to retain the demo that has HD because they're probably more likely to spend on VOD and PPV as well (esp. if there's decent HD content for those services).

Further to our discussion on why Eastlink may not care as much about HD, I saw this tidbit today in Yahoo (LINK (http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070122/0205964.html)):

One third of HDTV buyers who aren't HD subscribers are not aware that they need to subscribe to an HD service to fully exploit their HDTV. And 61 percent of those non-subscribers believe that HD quality is the same as DVD picture quality. That was the finding of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) in December 2006 and reported at Yahoo Finance on Monday.

"It's surprising the number of Americans who are investing in high-end HDTV sets who aren't getting true high-definition channels," said Char Beales, President and CEO of CTAM.

iPO found that a CTAM study conducted in July 2006 revealed that Canadian customers are in the same boat. In that study, it was shown that while about 22 percent of Canadians own an HDTV, only 14 percent of those owners possessed the required set top box to actually receive an HDTV signal.

For many HDTV buyers this holiday season, a new HDTV was merely a new TV.

Snip... Hopefully, they'll get their act together and recognize that it is important to retain the demo that has HD because they're probably more likely to spend on VOD and PPV as well (esp. if there's decent HD content for those services).

You are correct. It's important to appeal to a demo that is going to spend rather than let us jump ship. I am thinking of going to S.C. but at the moment it is not worth the hassle.

Eastlink were quick to jump on HD years ago. We ordered it on the first day and improvements were noted until the addition of TSNHD. Since then they have dropped the ball.

Further to our discussion on why Eastlink may not care as much about HD, I saw this tidbit today in Yahoo (LINK (http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070122/0205964.html)):

One third of HDTV buyers who aren't HD subscribers are not aware that they need to subscribe to an HD service to fully exploit their HDTV. And 61 percent of those non-subscribers believe that HD quality is the same as DVD picture quality. That was the finding of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) in December 2006 and reported at Yahoo Finance on Monday.

"It's surprising the number of Americans who are investing in high-end HDTV sets who aren't getting true high-definition channels," said Char Beales, President and CEO of CTAM.

iPO found that a CTAM study conducted in July 2006 revealed that Canadian customers are in the same boat. In that study, it was shown that while about 22 percent of Canadians own an HDTV, only 14 percent of those owners possessed the required set top box to actually receive an HDTV signal.

For many HDTV buyers this holiday season, a new HDTV was merely a new TV.
I feel many people don't want to drop $14.95 for a DVR. We have our DVR in the basement. When I watch TV in the family room I'm always wanting to rewind etc. It's amazing how the DVR has changed our viewing habits. It's well worth the money as I now spend lest time watching TV and end up viewing more.

I called Eastlink last week to cancel my subscription because I was getting SC installed. I never did get SC installed because of some trees in my backyard. Kind of a drag... but anyway. The point is... when I said I wanted to cancel, they asked me why of course... and I said it was because of their limited HD offerings... and that I'd been waiting forever for more HD. The CS person told me that they are getting more HD this fall. I asked what channels and as I can recall... it was Nat. Geographic and Showcase... and I think maybe A&E. It was three channels anyway. I was surprised that Discovery was not one of them. Will they ever get Discovery HD?!?!?! Anyway... since I apparently can't get satellite... I guess I'm stuck waiting... and waiting... and waiting. :-( Eastlink SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

As for paying $15/mo for the box... I guess it adds up over time... but I don't like the idea of paying $700 for a HD PVR that I'm then stuck with... as I had to do with SC. I like the fact that as newer boxes come out with more features and bigger hard drives... etc... I can just go to the mall or whatever and trade up to the latest and greatest. Eastlink still sucks tho' :P