Digital Home Thoughts: DIRECTV's Owner Calls HDTV Viewers 'Desperate'

"News Corp. President and COO Peter Chernin told a financial conference yesterday that his company is talking to cable and satellite operators about charging $25-30 to watch a movie in HDTV 60 days after its theatrical release. Cable and satellite providers now charge less than $5 to watch an on-demand or Pay Per View film. Asked if the $25-30 cost seemed high, The Hollywood Reporter quotes Chernin as saying that some high-def owners would be "desperate consumers" because there is relatively little HDTV programming available on cable and satellite."



I'm sorry, but what!? There are plenty of HD movies available on premium channels like HBO HD and Showtime HD. Most of them are relatively recent studio releases, or original content. I don't know what consumer demographic Chernin is aiming for, because none of the HDTV owners I know would be "desperate" enough to spend that kind of money for a time limited PPV movie, even if it is in HD. If you ask me, most DVDs look better than HD movies over cable or satellite. Most broadcast HD content is compressed to hell due to bandwidth limitations. Just one of many reasons I wouldn't pay the price Chernin is asking.