MASN2 HD

[Caps09]

I just saw this on www.masnsports.com-

Today, MASN announced the launch of MASN2 HD beginning next April, which means that every single Nationals game will be broadcast in high definition in the 2010 season.

MASN2 HD will be a dedicated channel active for approximately 130 days when the Nationals and Orioles are playing simultaneously.

"We're very excited about the launch of MASN2 HD because this is great for our fans, who can now enjoy every single one of our games in crisp high definition" said Nationals president Stan Kasten in the release.

Most operators are expected to carry the channel, which also broadcast Nats Xtra in HD straight from Nationals Park during home games.

Of course, this was on the Nationals side of the site, and it didn't mention it, but all Orioles games will be in HD too.

I would guess that Verizon has plans on carrying MASN2 HD on either channel 501 or 578, but I just wanted to throw this up here to let baseball fans in MD/DE/VA/Central PA be aware of it.

[imlazar]

Can anyone at Verizon confirm that FiOS will carry both MASN and MASN2 in HD in the D.C. / NoVa markets?

[Caps09]

I don't think anyone from Verizon will confirm it here since carriage agreements are top secret and details are only released on a "need to know" basis. From MASN's press release, it sounds like most carriers have already agreed to launch it. From what I recently learned about why CSN+ isn't on most systems, Verizon's only difficulty is in carrying part time feeds. In other words, I expect MASN2 HD to be a 24 hour feed with filler, and I expect that Verizon will carry it.

[Caps09]

I found this on MASN's website-

The following systems have committed to carrying MASN2 HD in 2010: Armstrong, Atlantic Broadband Cumberland, Atlantic Broadband Middletown/Chesapeake, Bay Country, Charter Manteo NC, Charter Roanoke Rapids NC, Charter Suffolk VA, Charter Waverly VA, Comcast, Cox Hampton Roads, Cox Northern Virginia, Cox Roanoke, DirecTV, Easton, Harron-Metrocast, Broadstripe, NTELOS, Openband, RCN, Reds, & Antietam.

Okay Verizon, we see that you aren't on the list. Please make sure you're on it by the time the season starts. Do not assume that your customers will be happy without the rest of the games in HD, because we won't! This could be a deal breaker for A LOT of us....

[Caps09]

I'm still hoping that Verizon has a deal (or has one in the works) to carry MASN2 HD when it starts in April.

The channel will probably consist of ESPNEWS for 21 hours a day, but that doesn't matter. Every Nationals and Orioles game will be in HD!

[Caps09]

With as many providers that have committed to carrying MASN2 HD, I suspect that it's a matter of HD capacity rather than cost. Verizon is still assuring us that they have more capacity, so I'm hoping that a deal has been made, or is being worked on, in secret like it usually is. Verizon doesn't want its competitors to know what channels are coming, so we can't find out either.

I can actually live with that for the superior product they deliver compared to cable. I just hope to hear a public announcement  sometime in March.

[DCsportFan]

I sure hope they carry MASN 2 in HD. I would love to see the Nationals in HD for every game I can't make this year. I'm thinking about switching to Fios here in a week or so and this would be a HUGE plus. Come on Verizon, make it happen!

[Caps09]

MASN2 is back up on channel 1, for the areas that don't have FiOS1. Hope to hear something in March about the launch of MASN2 HD!

[psumatt1]

Caps-

We may want to keep the pressure on for MASN2 HD - nothing in the works as of just yet...

[Caps09]

I did see good news (by omission) on http://masnsports.com/2007/12/faqs.html

When will my operator carry MASN HD and/or MASN2 HD?

While most of MASN's cable, satellite, and fiber optic affiliates do carry the HD games, the decision is made by each distributor.

You can reach Dish Network by calling 1-888-686-2388, visiting their website.

No mention of Verizon not carrying MASN2 HD. MASN never holds back when trying to get viewers to call their cable operators either.