Since a freeview does this suggest it's going to cost more for Setanta HD? No word yet on who will carry it - I imagine Rogers will but will Bell?
That may not necessarily be the case. Doesn't Setanta have a 'freeview' every year around this time?

Having said that, I found this little nugget tucked away in the FAQ section of the Setanta website;

"When will you be in HD?


Very little of the product we show is in HD because European pictures are better than SD, and they are not moving as fast into it. For example, only one Barclays Premier League game a week is offered in HD and the access and cost of bringing it in would mean we would need to charge $50 per person to make this option work. We know no one would pay that amount, and the third parties, will not give us the bandwidth necessary to do it. We're looking into offering a SVOD HD product 2010-2011 when more of the product we offer is available. "

Don't know when that was written, but I still don't like the sound of it.

That has been there for at least the last 2 to 3 years. The Setanta Canada website seems to be the bastard child of Setanta since they are only a minority owner. All they really do on the website is update the schedule and change the banners every few months and that probably all gets done in Ireland. Just compare it to the Setanta US (now gone) or Setanta Austrailia who I believe are fully owned by Setanta, they have twitter, facebook, newsletter, etc.

Has anybody ever had an email answered by Setanta Canada?

This is the first year that ALL Premiership matches will be available in HD. Last season, all but the 1500 Saturday local matches were in HD. This season, the 1500 matches are in HD as well. No more excuses!!! :p

Hawk

I am guessing they are able to go HD this year because Fox Soccer Channel took back the bankrupt Setanta USA rights and launched Fox Soccer Plus which is available in HD, so this now allows Setanta Canada to share the costs of HD satellite transmission with Fox whereas Setanta USA was not in the financial position to do so.

Has anybody ever had an email answered by Setanta Canada?Yes, I actually find them to be quite good in returning emails.

That Broadcaster magazine didn't mention TriNations or Six Nations rugby. I hope that these will be in HD as well since the Super 14 and Heineken Cup rigby is listed.

There is a two week free preview of Setanta SD at the beginning of the premiership season.

I seen on another forum that somebody got told that Setanta HD will cost $5 extra.

We're 2 days away from August. 1st HD launch, and still no info on who will be carrying it or some concrete pricing details. Wonder if we'll get something tomorrow, although I expected some news on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Got this response from Setanta

That is correct that Setanta Canada will launch in HD come August, but each cable provider will join at different stages so I would recommend contacting Bell directly to find out the exact date they'll decide to join at.

I have chatted with Bell probably 3 times this past week and from all three got told they have no info and will pass my request onto the programming department.

On the new channels & free preview channel on Bell it has Setanta HD channel 1414 but it is not showing up yet.

Can't see anything on 1414 yet. (Telus Sat. TV)

It's August 1st, so I'm looking for confirmation that Setanta HD is being carried today by ANY Canadian cable company (Rogers, Bell Cogeco, Shaw).

I sent a letter to Cogeco last week asking if they were going to start carring Setanta HD on August 1st and their response was...


To be able to maintain our competitive edge within the cable industry, we have relocated some of our channels to our digital service. When we move channels this allows us to launch additional digital channels, HD and On Demand services giving our customers more choice.


Can't tell if they were trying to hint that it was coming or if they just sent me a canned reply.

Also waiting for cogeco to add Setanta HD. If it's available to add I don't see why they wouldn't.

Just phoned rogers the CSR has no info about the channel in the system.

Called Shaw in Victoria today and got a rather honest young woman who said "the SD picture on Setanta is terrible" and said that they had been fielding a number of calls about Setanta HD but no news yet. Often they are told about changes the day before they happen. She acknowledged that in the ramp-up to the Premier League season (less than two weeks) the calls will only increase. Expects they'll have it, but don't know when.

That would likely mean it will be added to Shaw Direct too. I'm half surprised they have any room for it.

Bell shows Setanta HD on #1414 but not up yet. This should not be a surprise as there is no HD soccer on yet. The first HD is this week end but much more by the next week end. Bell has Setanta HD on freeview from Aug 13 and HD may well only come on then since they obviously don't want to offer an HD channel to prospective new customers that has no HD to show at this time.

Called Shaw in Victoria today and got a rather honest young woman who said "the SD picture on Setanta is terrible" and said that they had been fielding a number of calls about Setanta HD but no news yet. Often they are told about changes the day before they happen. She acknowledged that in the ramp-up to the Premier League season (less than two weeks) the calls will only increase. Expects they'll have it, but don't know when.
Called Shaw in Hamilton basically same answer. Not offering it in HD so no free preview, unknown if SD will offer free preview. Found the channel during the last free preview unwatchable, still the same? $15 a month extra, pass!

So, they "launched" the HD channel on August 1st and no company is carrying them yet?

I would have thought there would have at least been some announcements or news from Seatanta Canada on the 1st. Not to mention their website doesn't reveal any information about this channel.

Very strange.

Just phoned Shaw in Vancouver & the lady I spoke to said that they will have more information on Setanta HD as of August 12. She said there's no official word whether they will carry it or not, but the fact that she gave me a date for more info sounds promising to me....