Time Warner announced recently that the company will drop HDNet from its cable services. Apparently, it was unable to come to terms with Mark Cuban for his HDNet and HDNet Movie channels. A a result, the two will be dropped from the Time Warner line-up next Sunday, May 31.

Cuban launced HDNet in September 2001 to promote HD content, well before the major networks were making the investment to create content in high definition. One of the standout moments in the network’s early days was its high definition coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Today, the channel carries content as diverse as Dan Rather’s documentaries and mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions.

Fans of the HDNet and HDNet Movies programming will still be able to get it if they switch to DirecTV or Dish Network satellite service, or to Verizon’s FiOS if it’s available in their area. There are reports of backlash on the part of MMA fans, who are cancelling their cable service and switching to satellite. This could provide an extra bump to the new subscriber rolls, along with the anticipated jump that will come in a few weeks when over-the-air viewers discover that they cannot get the reception they want from digital broadcast channels. It looks as though this will be a very good summer for the satellite services.

Posted by Alfred Poor, May 26, 2009 6:00 AM