As a NY sports fan, we have only the Giants, Jets, Mets, Nets and Yankees in High Def. But what about Hockey and the knicks? I hears Verizon was filing a suit against Cablevision so that cablevision can release the HD channel for MSG and MSG Plus. Any updates? C'mon Verizon push harder!! We can't have another season go by without the Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Knicks, Redbulls and Liberty in High Def!! Lets work out a deal and get us the HD Channels we deserve!
It looks as if no real decision has been made. To me it looked like a hearing of some kind (even if one of the three judges seemed to be doing most of th the talking). I am not an attorney, but I do think this is not necessarily a bad thing - yet. I do agree that this looks far from over. Not having my Rangers in HD yet is terrible.
I'm posting in this thread because I too am interested in the result. Someone posted an account of the oral argument on Feb. 14, 2011 before the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which can be read here. That suggests that the FCC had a better time of it, but you can't always read into what happens during oral argument. It might read as impenetrable unless you're a lawyer.
I accessed PACER in order to see what was possibly going on, because when the DC Circuit does render an opinion, it'll be published there. If the Court does rule in the FCC's favor, it'll remand to the District (trial) Court, which would hopefully sign an order directing the enforcement of the FCC's decision to permit competing carriers access to their programming.
Anyway, there's no opinion yet, but that's not that odd because it usually takes around 2-3 months for a Circuit court to render an opinion after oral argument (at least in the 2nd Circuit that's the case, not sure about D.C. Circuit's docket). But there have been a few subsequent submissions, namely letters to the Court pursuant to F.R.A.P. Rule 28(j), alerting the Court of decisions in other courts subsequently rendered which have bearing on the outcome of the case before it. The FCC submission is here, and the two Cablevision submissions are here and here.
If you're confused by the first link to the report from oral argument, those letters aren't going to mean much to you. But I figured I'd provide them here anyway in case anyone who cares can view.
Tks for this. Many of us are on pins and needles for this decision. By the time table mentioned the 2-3 months is almost up so perhaps we can get a resolution soon?
I'm still a little surprised at the length of time this has dragged out - I understand the stale mate but it definitely exposes Verizon to lost business. Especially in Western NY where hockey is the MOST IMPORTANT thing and Time Warner is very aggressive. Also, the availability of uncompressed CBC HD (UHF 20 aka 5.1) providing Hockey Night in Canada.
I'm the nut that has a DB8 HD antenna pointed right at the CN Tower (56 miles away) with a 15db quality drop amp providing a GREAT signal..Pulling in a great HD signal at 95% signal strength only reminds me more about what I'm missing with 95% of the Sabres broadcasts.
You'd think Verizon is large enough to wield a sizeable sword but I'm assuming this is still a semi-limited exposure to potential loss of business to TW.
Good to know that I can hook up a good ol' fashion antennae and pick up CBC HD. I used to keep TWC basic only for the CBC/CFTO broadcast, but finally couldn't justify the $12 a month. I may have to add this until the FiOS MSG HD decision.
Be nice to see the Canadian HD channels offered as an add-on. For us WNYers, this is considered local programming.
Mark
The 48 page opinion is in! Have not read it yet but it looks promising. The court ruled in favor of the FCC (and Verizon) on all but one of the issues. We'll have to wait and see what role, if any, that this lone issue plays. Lets hope that this all gets sorted out before the start of the NBA/NHL seasons...if there is a 2011-12 NBA season.
SEE: http://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf (Cablevision Systems Corp. v. FCC 6/10/11)
We are looking better and better...
Let's hope this get's done soon!!!
I doubt it. Cablevision says they are "pleased" with the part of the ruling that requires the FCC to reconsider the idea that exclusive terrestrial programming contracts are categorically unfair. If the FCC rules on the program accress complaints, Cablevision will appeal the ruling. Whenever the FCC modifies it's regulation, Cablevision will challenge that. Cablevision seems to have every intent on holding this up in court for years.
Of course, at the end of their statement, they once again dismissively refer to Verizon and AT&T as "phone companies" like cable is still the way to go for video service in 2011. They are so arrogant, they continue to say "Verizon and AT&T should be required to compete based on the quality of their products and not by manipulating federal law". It's kind of unbelieveable that these clowns can take themsevelves seriously at this point.
Let's hope they rule on the general intent of opening up competition, instead of being led down the path of cable(and satellite) v "phone " companies, who are now really multimedia providers.
Of course, the Sabres could decide to get TWC to provide a local feed (rumor), instead of MSG, and then we FiOS subscribers will be stuck paying for Center Ice. Stuck, because I already get the online feed, which I use when out of town, and somehow they'll be on some remote regional sports feed (which again I'll have to pay for...it's the only sport I watch regularly).
Maybe we could convince CBC to cover us, then convince Verizon to pick up CBC/CFTO/CHCH as a local option.
Just thinking out loud......
Now that it's hockey/basketball season again...any word on where we stand on HD MSG?
@mawillen wrote:Now that it's hockey/basketball season again...any word on where we stand on HD MSG?
FCC ruled in Verizon/AT&T's favor, The Dolan's are still figuring out what they want to do (i.e. going to drag it out as long as possible). I believe they have until 10/22 to appeal (thought I read that in the AVS forum, I could be wrong).
Looks like the FCC ruled in favor of FIOS.
Fios needs to add:
ABC News Now HD
Boomerang HD
Cartoon Network HD
CBS College Sports Network HD
CNN Headline News HD
E! HD
FEARnet HD
FiOS1 HD
FiOS TV Infomation HD
Fox Soccer Channel HD (FSC HD)
FUNimation HD
G4 HD
MTV2 HD
NECN HD
NESNplus HD
Nick 2 HD
Nick Jr. HD
Nick Toons HD
Ovation HD
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network HD (OWN HD)
PBS Kids Sprout HD
SportsNet New York HD
TeenNick HD
Turner Classic Movies HD (TCM HD)
TV Land HD
TV One HD
Univision HD East
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