Finally, Directv FNCHD! [Update]

Update: What is the deal? This morning Directv’s FNC seems to be back in non-HD. Last night when I began to praise, apparently, prematurely FNC’s debut in HD, I TiVo’d Geraldo Rivera’s show to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. When I deleted it, the percentage available regained on my DVR indicated that it was indeed in HD. Today has been another story altogether.

2B FNCHD, or not 2B FNCHD? That is the question.

Earlier entry:

Today FNC finally went high def on Directv. For forebearing fans of FNC, it is indeed about time: The cable news network has inexplicably long ceded video superiority to CNN on Directv. Even when Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. controlled the satellite television company, Fox News did not avail itself of an HD channel even though its main competitor CNN did. With the recent debut of its new sister cable business news network FBN in HD, Fox News’ must have been shamed by its inferior visual content. Apparently, a little sibling rivalry did the trick.

Now when switching from a CNN program to an FNC one, the viewer will not feel as if his/her contacts got cloudy. For male fans of cable news eye candy, e.g., Alisyn Camerota, Megyn Kelly, and Domenica Davis, it will be sweeter. Yes, girls, you can see your favorite gents better too.

https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/cnns-leg-up/

CNN’s “Leg” Up

Thanks, ICN, for your “heads up” on CNN’s “leg” up on FNC on DirecTV. According to Swanni of TVPredictions.com, CNN took the lead in programming in HD while FNC “dragged its feet on the HD launch.” He added that FNC has now lost its favored status at a HD-capacity-starved DirecTV once FNC’s parent company, News Corp., ceded control of DirecTV to John Malone’s Liberty Media.

Since appreciation of distaff aesthetics has often led the way in technological progress in the visual media, it seems strange that Fox News is lagging so far behind CNN HD. Ironically, Rupert Murdoch’s cable news network, known for its unabashed celebration of the feminine form, e.g., in its selection of co-hosts, subject matter, and attitude, is following far behind in the footsteps of Ted Turner’s erstwhile jewel CNN, associated far too long with a stodgier, passe p.c. presentation of the news a la the dying dinosaur Big Three news networks. In CNN’s defense, it is slowly making progress in this regard, e.g., with its snare of Kiran Chetry as AM co-anchor, its choice of Janelle Rodriguez as AM executive producer, and its welcome embrace of a less sterile atmosphere.

Thus far, FNC has generally enjoyed a comfortable lead in the cable news race. However, how does it compare to CNN HD on DirecTV?

Links:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/dfox091608.htm
http://insidecablenews.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/no-fnc-hd-on-dtv/