This 2006 Message column "HDNet Gains" profiled HDNet, billionaire Mark Cuban's high-definition television network. At the time, Cuban and his Denver-based partner, Philip Garvin, were thrilled about adding longtime CBS anchor Dan Rather to HDNet's family. But Garvin remained frustrated that the programming was mainly available on satellite operations, as opposed to cable outfits like Comcast, the main provider in Denver. "Many of my friends and neighbors had to switch to satellite in order to get us," Garvin said then. "And although DISH and DIRECTV have been great partners, it's still very disappointing to me that people have to do that in order to see the network I co-founded and run."
At long last, such aggravation is over, because a deal has finally been reached: Beginning today, Comcast is delivering HDNet on Channel 664 in Denver and Channel 701 in Colorado Springs. Cuban, who's lately been making far less pleasant headlines due to the filing of a complaint against him by the Security and Exchange Commission -- see the blog "HDNet's Mark Cuban Charged With Insider Trading; Read the Complaint Here" to learn more -- now has a little something to smile about.
Read the HDNet press release by clicking "More." -- Michael Roberts
Comcast to Launch HDNet in DenverAddition of HDNet Programming Part of Comcast's Project Infinity Commitment to Deliver Best and Most Content Available Anytime, Anywhere
(DALLAS) December 5, 2008 - HDNet, the leader in high definition programming, announced today that the network's programming will become available to Denver area Comcast HD subscribers beginning on Monday, December 8.
HDNet programming can be found on Comcast channel 664 in most areas throughout Colorado and on channel 701 in Colorado Springs.
"We're thrilled to have this new partnership with Comcast," said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. "With this launch in Denver, Comcast will provide their HD subscribers with HDNet's top-notch, cutting edge HD programming.""
"With hundreds of HD choices available to Comcast customers, we believe that partnering with HDNet further complements our offering by bringing both compelling and high quality HD programming to our customers in this increasingly competitive marketplace," said Matt Bond, executive vice president, content acquisition, Comcast. "This partnership is another example of the strides we're making on our Project Infinity commitment to deliver more HD choices than anywhere else."
Launched in September of 2001, HDNet became the world's first national television network broadcasting all of its programming in high definition. HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for critically acclaimed original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. HDNet also features championship sports coverage from MLS to MMA and groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series.
HDNet (www.hd.net) is co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and General Manager Philip Garvin of Colorado Studios.
About HDNet HDNet (www.hd.net) provides viewers with the best in original comedy, drama, news, sports and music programming.
HDNet is your exclusive, high definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather and "NASA on HDNet" (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010). HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring Major League Soccer, the NASCAR Camping World Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup re-broadcasts, and premiere Mixed Martial Arts from "HDNet Fights;" behind-the-scenes sports news with "Inside MMA;" groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series featuring leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more; and entertaining and irreverent lifestyle programming including "Deadline!," "Art Mann Presents," and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning programs such as the Emmy Award winning "Arrested Development," "The Black Donnellys," "Dead Like Me," "Smallville" and the hit series "Torchwood."
HDNet Movies features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases - all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio so that HDNet Movies viewers get the best possible home theater experience.
Only HDNet Movies' exclusive Sneak Previews bring feature films to viewers before they premiere in theaters! Some of the HDNet Movies Sneak Previews have included the Academy Award nominated "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room," Toronto Film Festival nominee "The War Within," and "Bubble," the first of six movies by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh and produced exclusively for HDNet Films. Other featured films include "Cashback," written and produced by Sean Ellis, "Broken English," from Zoe Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo and Griffin Dunne, the critically acclaimed "Redacted" directed by Brian De Palma, "Flawless," starring Michael Caine and Demi Moore, "Quid Pro Quo," starring Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga, "Finding Amanda," starring Matthew Broderick and Brittany Snow, "Red," starring Brian Cox and most recently "Humboldt County," starring Fairuza Balk, Peter Bogdanovich and Frances Conroy and "Special," starring Michael Rapaport. Upcoming Sneak Previews include "Great Buck Howard," starring Colin Hanks, John Malkovich and Tom Hanks, and "Harlem Aria," starring Damon Wayans.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 24.4 million cable customers, 14.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten Comcast SportsNet networks and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.
