New DBS provider VOOM brings 21 unique HD channels to the market. They include RAVE (music), Rush (X-game action sports), Worldsport (European soccer, etc.), Ultra (global trends), Gallery (art) and others, plus 10 dedicated channels showing a different HD movie every day. To date, the unique content has been somewhat repetitive, and only time will tell if VOOM can develop the volume and type of programming that will attract and retain subscribers. Also currently exclusive to VOOM are East- and West-coast HD feeds of HBO, Showtime and Starz!

The Future, in HD
My Magic 8-Ball says the remainder of 2004 will bring much in the way of HDTV. (The following programming has been formally announced and is expected this year.) By May we should have classic movies from the Starz!/Encore film library on Encore HD and the best of Turner network programming on TNT HD. A new channel called Wealth TV—about what else, money—should be on the air this summer. You can expect even more sports with high-definition video-on-demand (HD VOD) of popular ESPN HD programs. The Playboy Channel should appear as a VOOM exclusive for a while. Other exclusives include iN Demand’s HD pay-per-view on cable systems. There’s even an HD network for Generation X called the 29HDNetwork. And while the exact timing is uncertain, The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS and Late Night with Conan O’Brien on NBC are both anticipated to air in HDTV this year. HDNet is also working on its third channel, the aptly named HDNet Sports.

More HDTV than one can watch? Yes indeed, but it’s a great problem to have as digital television comes of age. To find out what programs you can receive in your area and to view daily show schedules, go to www.titantv.com. For updates to this synopsis, visit www.dtvmag.com or my online home at the AVS Forum. The only question that remains is where are all those HD personal video recorders I keep hearing about?