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Speed HD Set for February Bow

Oct 4, 2007  •  Post A Comment

Speed has announced that it will make its move into high definition with the launch of Speed HD in February during its coverage of the 2008 Daytona 500.
The News Corp.-owned motor racing-focused network will flip the switch on its HD channel Feb. 7, with 100 hours of NASCAR races during its Daytona Speedweeks coverage through Feb. 17. The HD channel will be a simulcast of its standard-definition cousin.
The move to HD appears to be the next step for the network that has added more than 30 million homes since being acquired by Fox Cable Networks in 2001.
“It’s the way the industry is going. HD is becoming the standard, the expected level of production,” said Rick Miner, senior VP of production and networking operations at Speed. “But we wanted to do it the right way and have enough programming, which is why it’s happening now.
“We’re a motor-racing lifestyle network, and inherent in that, our viewers are high-tech guys. They’re early adopters of new technology. They’re people who already own HD sets. And let’s face it, motor racing looks really cool in HD. The colors pop,” he said.
Throughout the season, Speed will be transitioning all of its event programming to HD and will develop remote HD production facilities that will be in full use in 2008, the company said in a statement.
The transition to full native HD will be ongoing throughout 2008, with completion likely by the end of the year, Mr. Miner said. In February, the channel will feature 40 to 50 hours per week of HD-originated programming, with other programs being upconverted.
Beyond its HD programming dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500, the network will launch new seasons of its shows “Pinks,” “Pinks All Out” and “Super Bikes” in HD as well as high-def NASCAR and Formula One racing. Speed also said it will explore opportunities to bring other racing series and special events to viewers in HD next year.
DirecTV, which currently carries Speed’s upconverted HD programming, will replace the limited service with the new HD channel. But this will not be an exclusive deal for DirecTV, as all providers and services will have the opportunity to carry the new channel, working with Speed’s affiliate department, Mr. Miner said.

9 Comments

  1. Dear SPEED,
    The problem still remains, HD or NOT, the only way to get SPEED is in a high priced package from your provider. If they (SPEED) really wanted to be a player they (SPEED) need to get their programming on BASIC cable like the other players. Yes we are up to speed; excuse the pun, on current technology, which is exactly why we know we are being ripped off with higher priced package costs.
    Chris Kerry

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