HDTV Has Social Calling: Super Bowl XXXVIII Exposes HDTV Access Gaps and Industry Infighting

LETTERS

SUPER BOWL POST MORTEM

It is a big event for television and sports fans. Reports say 90 million people tuned in to join you in watching the 38th Super Bowl live from Houston, Texas. Advertisers paid $100,000,000 to reach you. About 95% of those viewing could not watch it in HDTV, at least within the confines of their own homes as they are without decoders, if not also the display. That did not stop CBS and Sony from trudging out some high profile HDTV equipment--some 17 HDTV cameras--for we privileged few. And it proved out to be that some of us were more privileged than the others. Some just sank into their lounge chair with indignant resignation after learning that DirecTV could not solve their reception problems any more than the kid down the street. Nor could we take in all o the HDTV-less. Their ranks are still over whelming. We could not tuck 90 million people into Super Bowl parties in the 800,000 to 900,000 homes that are able to receive some kind of HDTV on their HDTV monitors.

Peter Grant and Joe Flint from the WALL STREET JOURNAL in an article published on January 30th about those who were disenfranchised from an HDTV source said: "Some HDTV owners liken their Super Bowl situation to flying coach after getting used to first class...Thousands of HDTV set owners are caught in what has become one of the most acrimonious battles in the entertainment industry. Many broadcasters are refusing to let cable companies retransmit their high-definition signals unless they are paid for it. Cable companies argue that they shouldn't have to pay for something that's free to people who can pick up the high-definition signal with a rooftop antenna.

The two major satellite-TV services, News Corp.'s DirecTV and EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish network, have both cut deals with Viacom Inc.'s CBS to beam down its HDTV signals to customers in the 17 markets where CBS owns stations, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. But most other satellite subscribers in the rest of the country won't be able to watch the game in high definition, unless they go through the hassle and expense of mounting an antenna on their roofs, and live in an area with a strong signal from the local station. (Cable subscribers who can't get an HDTV signal also can do this, but many, like Wilcox, say it's too much bother.)"

There comments from the Journal set the stage for your comments that were made following my editorial asking for those involved to remember that this is a cooperative and collaborative movement. It is too early in the market cycle to have strong competitiveness. What has to be done is to replace as quickly as possible the installed base of NTSC receivers with digital receivers. Every tumble weed in way is going to cost the nation every time we are slowed for any reason. We do not know what a tolerable resistance is as yet, but we do know that if you load ice on the wings of the most powerful jet it is bound to the ground.

And now for the mail

 Dale

Thanks for the piece on the SB. I ran into the same problem. I live in
Pittsburgh and KDKA is owned by CBS. No problem so far, but WTRF Wheeling
WV also comes into their market. This is where I ran into the problem,
WTRF cannot be seen as a local on DirecTV or my cable company or over the
air, but DirecTV says they need a wavier from them. I think this was
DirecTV's fault for not getting a blanket wavier for the Pittsburgh area.
I think this is happening other places also. To start broadcasting on
Friday before the game so you can't even contact for a wavier was wrong,
I put the blame on DirecTV and not the locals. They didn't do their
homework on this potential problem. Can you do something about this for
the future of all of us.
Thank you,
Lanny Seed
 
Lanny we have to convince all of the signal providers that they are the agents for causing an installed base of digital receivers to occur. During the time the standard was being hammered out the competition among the surviving proponents become so fierce that it was proving to be counterproductive to achieving the goal of a single standard. Dick Wiley, former Chairman of the FCC and the head dragon for the FCC Advisory Committee seized the moment when the competitors realized they were not only working against each other, but by delay they were destroying the whole thing. At that opportune time Dick organized the Grand Alliance which, though not free from infighting, was to the rest of the world at peace. There comes a time when it is more profitable to pursue common goals than to compete within the framework of those goals. The common goal for all people in this nation is to get DTV installed as rapidly as is possible.

 Several years ago I did an interview with Dr. John Abel, then Vice President of the National Association of Broadcasters. I had always leaned towards satellite distribution as the first offense for HDTV because of the large footprint. Sets could be sold anywhere and the satellite signals could, barring lookup problems, be received anywhere. Even cable could not afford to be first due to the limited territory each franchise had. I was less-than enthusiastic about sending 1600 broadcast stations into the lions den--doing all the heavy lifting for pioneering HDTV to the public.

I ask Abel a leading question: Wouldn't satellite be the better spear head to start this business of HDTV? John is no slouch when it comes to understanding the dynamics of all of our communications systems apart or seen together. He spent years educating graduate students and he was instrumental in moving the NAB into multimedia, an important step for their annual revenue. His answer should be remembered by every broadcaster in America today. He said that it would be better for someone other than broadcasting to take the lead and pioneer the market. Broadcasting, he said, is strong enough to retain or retrieve their viewers because they are the local voice of their community. They would not lose viewers to satellite and satellite would only have the strength to pioneer the field, not dominate it. That would still be cable's prerogative if they chose to do so much later. Broadcasting could have waited on the sidelines and seen for themselves what the market reaction was from satellite stepping out first.

To some degree that has happened. The satellite business in this nation was created as a result of HDTV due to the the perfection of compression (a work motivated by HDTV). Satellite gave considerable lips service to being the chief vehicle for HDTV but rather than to support it satellite took the MPEG technology and used it across their limited transponders to create the real competitive killer--choice (the 200 + channel universe). Stan Hubbard of Hubbard Broadcasting, himself on Dick Wiley's FCC Advisory Committee, became the catalytic angel that General Motors needed before they would move forward with their Hughes division's satellite DBS slots. Hughes could make the satellites and maintain them but they needed program partners who would also commit large sums of money. GM didn't want to be out their alone.

__Continued

 

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
According to Jim

"ABC's and 123's"
Jim tells Ruby's teacher that Cheryl is illiterate in order to lessen his struggling daughter's homework load.

8:30PM ET/7:30 C
I'm with Her

"Pilot"
In the premiere episode, Patrick and Alex begin dating, but Patrick is unprepared for the chaos that comes with Alex's celebrity and wonders if he is in over his head. When he begins to lose his anonymity and is stalked by paparazzi, Patrick questions whether it is possible to find true love under the hot spotlight of the media. Bob Goen (Entertainment Tonight) makes a guest appearance as an entertainment reporter at Alex's premiere.

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
According to Jim

"The Errand"
Jim tries to prove his competence at running errands for Cheryl, but soon realizes that he's becoming her fetch-it boy. And Andy, in the meantime, thinks that flashing his wedding ring around will somehow transform him into a "chick magnet."

9:30PM ET/8:30 C
Less Than Perfect

"All About Claude"
Ramona is on guard when Vicki Devorski (Pamela Anderson), a former temp who stole her boyfriend, comes back to the office. Ramona jealously guards her current boyfriend so Vicki doesn't get her hooks into him. But when Ramona begins to neglect her friends, Vicki tries to make Claude her new best friend, all in an attempt to get at Ramona. Meanwhile, Owen and Carl discover their mutual obsession with catfights and hope to witness one in person.

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
Line of Fire

"The Senator"
Todd investigates a senator who may have taken part in a lynching fifty years ago. Meanwhile, a hooker wants Roy to kill her father, and Malloy maneuvers to take over a local Richmond baseball team.
 
 

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Advertise your new HDTV services and products in the HDTV Magazine and reach your audience without fail.

 

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Navy NCIS

"My Other Left Foot"
When a MarineÂ’s severed leg is found in a dumpster, Gibbs and his team are called in to investigate.

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
The Guardian

"The Father-Daughter Dance"
A Caucasian couple hires the Fallins to sue their fertility clinic when their child is born African-American. After looking into the Aaronson's' fertility case more closely, Nick discovers that one of them may have a secret that could totally change the verdict.

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
Judging Amy

"Sins of the Fathers"
A teenage boy hires a man to impersonate his father in court to prevent Amy from placing him with his mother full-time. Meanwhile, Peter and Lauren bond when Peter moves back into the Gray family home.
 

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DAYTONA 500 IN HDTV ON NBC WHERE AVAILABLE ON FEBRUARY 15TH, BIG EVENT FOR HDTV!!

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Whoopi

"Is Rita Pregnant?"
When Rita (Elizabeth Regen) thinks she's pregnant, an alarmed Courtney (Wren T. Brown) runs out to find a job selling clothing in order to afford a ring, but his hurried proposal to his longtime lover falls short of Rita's expectations. An upset Mavis (Whoopi Goldberg) doesn't fancy herself as a future babysitter and makes a startling revelation. Elsewhere, Nasim (Omid Djalili) and Jadwiga (Gordana Rashovich) head to Connecticut hoping to cash in on the state's multimillion-dollar Powerball contest until Nasim comes out swinging at a rough truck stop. (Whoopi is NOT listed as HDTV tonight on the NBC web site. View with extreme caution! _da management)

8:30PM ET/7:30 C
Happy Family

"The One With The Friends"
When Rita (Elizabeth Regen) thinks she's pregnant, an alarmed Courtney (Wren T. Brown) runs out to find a job selling clothing in order to afford a ring, but his hurried proposal to his longtime lover falls short of Rita's expectations. An upset Mavis (Whoopi Goldberg) doesn't fancy herself as a future babysitter and makes a startling revelation. Elsewhere, Nasim (Omid Djalili) and Jadwiga (Gordana Rashovich) head to Connecticut hoping to cash in on the state's multimillion-dollar Powerball contest until Nasim comes out swinging at a rough truck stop.

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
Frasier

"Freudian Sleep"
No Description Available.

9:59PM ET/8:59 C
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

"Ritual"
The discovery of the torso of a 7-year-old Nigerian boy leads Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) in search for a rogue Santeria practitioner reviving the old traditions of human-sacrifice. However, when the Detectives discover that the sacrifice could have been staged to hide a sex related homicide, they uncover an illegal slave smuggling business. Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice-T and Diane Neal also star.

 

11:34PM ET/10:34 C
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno



Kurt Russell

,

 Five For Fighting

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Surprise By Design II
Our guests surprise a loved one with a makeover of part of their home or yard, with the help of designers Robert Verdi and Rebecca Cole. Armed with some paint, a slide rule or two, and their own brand of creative ingenuity, Robert and Rebecca depend on the kindness of strangers — in this case, the homeowner's family and friends — to get the job done. In one day. With a budget that can't exceed $2,500. In each episode, they squeeze in a "Quick Change": a super-fast, and super-cheap, smaller project. Now in Hi-Definition every weekday on Discovery HD Theater.

Starting January: Monday — Friday every week, 1 p.m. ET/PT

South Georgia Island: Life Under the Furious Fifties
An island lost at the end of the world. A land battered by the furious winds of the Arctic. A cemetery of ships and whaling settlements. Witness nature's struggle for survival on one of the most remote and unforgiving islands on the planet.

 

6:00AM ET/5:00 C
Urban/Wild: Tokyo

Once a natural paradise, Tokyo is now of of the most thouroughly urban cities in the world. Yet within this metropolis are pockets of nature being nourished and protected.

7:00AM ET/6:00 C
Wild Secrets

Short-tailed Shearwater: Pacific Nomads - Short-tailed shearwaters are the ultimate long-distance travelers. Over the course of a year, they travel an incredible 30,000 km around the globe in search of food. We witness the birth and death of chicks on these isolated shores and then follow the next generation back to Hokkaido, Japan where the journey begins all over again.

7:30AM ET/6:30 C
Tracks Ahead

Copper Canyon - Ride through Mexico's Copper Canyon, which is deeper, wider and longer than the Grand Canyon. Visit an old logging railroad in the shadow of Mount Rainer.

8:00AM ET/7:00 C
HDNet Test Patterns

Wonder how your home theatre is doing? Wish you had test patterns to help set it up? Well, HDNet is here to help. This short program will help you get the most out of your home theatre setup by providing you with the same professional test patterns HDNet uses to set their gear.

8:10AM ET/7:10 C
Johnathan Brownlee's atHome

Long Weekend - Home theatres, "smart homes" security, home gyms, hot tubs, spas and barbeques.

8:30AM ET/7:30 C
Bass Champs

2003 Team Event On Lake Richland Chambers - Team event on Lake Richland Chambers. Interviews with the Skeeter Pro Team, and we go fish with the winners!

9:00AM ET/8:00 C
Higher Definition

Pop-culture writer/host Robert Wilonsky talks with actor Robert Duvall about his career and new movie Assassination Tango which he wrote, starred in and directed. Lisa Cholodenko, writer/director of Laurel Canyon gives the scoop on her latest venture, plus, previews of what's coming up on HDNet and HDNet Movies.

9:30AM ET/8:30 C
Across America

Gleason's Gym - Times have changed for the world's oldest gym. In the ring where the Raging Bull got his start, teachers, doctors and accountants are now putting on the gloves!

10:00AM ET/9:00 C
Designing America

Terry Bradshaw - The Ranch of football great and sports announcer Terry Bradshaw, and two Cuban sisters go American with Havannah.

10:30AM ET/9:30 C
Over® Ireland

From the rough-hewn beauty of its towering bluffs and weathered granite tors to the ancient mystery of its Celtic monasteries and storybook cottages, this program reaches far back in the Ireland's history, landmarks, literature and culture. Truly a rare view of the island that has captivated so many people for centuries.

11:30AM ET/10:30 C
Square Pegs

Premiere - Best friends Patty Greene and Lauren Hutchinson quickly learn that fitting in at high school could be harder than passing an advanced geometry final. Convinced that all they have to do "click with the right clique", they launch their strategic plan to become accepted and popular.

12:00PM ET/11:00 C
HDNet World Report

Rome: Papal Succession - HDNet World Report cameras travel to Vatican City to report on the procedures that must be followed by the Catholic Church when it is time to elect a new Pope. World Report goes inside the rooms where the Conclave of Cardinals will vote on the eventual successor to Pope John Paul II.

12:30PM ET/11:30 C
HDNet World Report

Liberia: Putting Lives and Families Back Together After the War - World Report travels to war-torn Liberia to witness the devastation of that Nation's war, and the efforts being made to put the country and the country's families back together.

1:00PM ET/12:00 C
True Music

Catch two unique acts on this episode of True Music, Bob Schneider and the Reverend Horton Heat. Throw in the jazz act "The Jammin' Band" and you have an unusual mixture of musical magic that True Music is committed to covering each week.

1:30PM ET/12:30 C
Hogan's Heroes

Funny Thing Happened on the Way to London - Hogan uncovers and comes to grips with a German plot to assassinate British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

2:00PM ET/1:00 C
The Fugitive

Far From Home - A fight between Kimble and an abusive husband leaves the fugitive with a choice: Run for his freedom before the cops arrive, or stay to save the life of the violent wife beater.

3:00PM ET/2:00 C
Presidio Med

Once Upon A Family - Letty and Matt work together on a patient, Dean Carvell (recurring guest star John Rubinstein), who suffers severe heart problems due to a previous car accident. Meanwhile, Harriet unites a wealthy, infertile 42-year-old woman who desperately wants a child with a troubled, pregnant teenager, Ellen O'Neal (Marina Malota), who wants to give up her baby for adoption. But problems with Ellen's father and teenage boyfriend could jeopardize the transaction.

4:00PM ET/3:00 C
2004 CES Insiders

Heavyweights of the cable, satellite and high-definition (HD) content worlds convened to share their thoughts on HDTV content and delivery during the Industry Insider Series roundtable discussion from CES 2004.

5:00PM ET/4:00 C
Johnathan Brownlee's atHome

Long Weekend - Home theatres, "smart homes" security, home gyms, hot tubs, spas and barbeques.

5:30PM ET/4:30 C
Weekend Explorer

Redding, California - Jump a wave wakeboarding, feel the rush of whitewater rafting, experience the thrill of waverunning, and enjoy BBQ cooking in a hot tub while houseboating on scenic Lake Shasta. Tour one of the US's largest dams, walk among giant ancient stalactites in Shasta Caverns, explore the wildlife of Turtle Bay, and catch a rainbow trout while enjoying a fishing float trip.

6:00PM ET/5:00 C
Across America

On Across America this week, music as both a performance art and a healing one. Also, why fishtailing on icy roads can be a good thing.

6:30PM ET/5:30 C
True Music

This week's True Music episode is made up of bands with unusual names! Taking charge of the soulful rock category is the talented Nayroc, sister of the famed Eryka Badu. Playing the latest alternative rock (with a UK feel) is the band OHNO. And finally, True Music host Katie Daryl will be introducing Stoney LaRue and his country/southern rock tunes to you.

7:00PM ET/6:00 C
NHL Hockey LIVE!

Atlanta @ Boston

9:30PM ET/8:30 C
HDNet This Month Premiere

February 2004 - Take a look at HDNet's weekly schedule with segments from the HDNet World Report, Across America, the NHL on HDNet, a new season of An American In Canada, the premiere of Odyssey 5, and exclusive high definition concerts from chart topping artists. HDNet This Month also gives you a sneak peak at the films you can see this month on HDNet Movies. HDNet is television like you've never seen before.

10:30PM ET/9:30 C
Snowology 101

The evolution of freestyle skiing. From the 70's, 80's to the Free Ride movement of today. Exciting 4-man Snowcross, Big Air, Slopestyle and Big Mountain competitions from Vail, Colorado, Snowbird, Utah, Kirkwood, California and Whistler, British Columbia. Hosted by Uncle E.

11:00PM ET/10:00 C
NHL Hockey

Atlanta @ Boston
Special Encore Presentation

1:30AM ET/12:30 C
HDNet This Month

February 2004 - Take a look at HDNet's weekly schedule with segments from the HDNet World Report, Across America, the NHL on HDNet, a new season of An American In Canada, the premiere of Odyssey 5, and exclusive high definition concerts from chart topping artists. HDNet This Month also gives you a sneak peak at the films you can see this month on HDNet Movies. HDNet is television like you've never seen before.

2:30AM ET/1:30 C
Snowology 101

The evolution of freestyle skiing. From the 70's, 80's to the Free Ride movement of today. Exciting 4-man Snowcross, Big Air, Slopestyle and Big Mountain competitions from Vail, Colorado, Snowbird, Utah, Kirkwood, California and Whistler, British Columbia. Hosted by Uncle E.

3:00AM ET/2:00 C
True Music

This week's True Music episode is made up of bands with unusual names! Taking charge of the soulful rock category is the talented Nayroc, sister of the famed Eryka Badu. Playing the latest alternative rock (with a UK feel) is the band OHNO. And finally, True Music host Katie Daryl will be introducing Stoney LaRue and his country/southern rock tunes to you.

3:30AM ET/2:30 C
Across America

On Across America this week, music as both a performance art and a healing one. Also, why fishtailing on icy roads can be a good thing.

4:00AM ET/3:00 C
L.A. On the Edge

Heart of Dixie

4:30AM ET/3:30 C
Thieves

Jack's Back - When Johnny and his estranged father, Jack (Ian McShane), try to reconcile, a strange triangle of love and crime occurs between them and Rita. Tone Loc guest stars as Agent Al Trundel. Howard Hesseman guest stars as Hal.

5:30AM ET/4:30 C
A Caribbean Workout 2003

In beautiful Almond Beach, Barbados features Muscular Conditioning.
 

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6:00AM ET/5:00 C
The Stranger

R - 1:28
Cast: Barry Primus, Bonnie Bedelia, David Speilberg Director: Adolfo Aristarain
A car wreck leaves Alice with amnesia. As she struggles to regain her memory, she begins to remember details surrounding a murder.

7:30AM ET/6:30 C
Bloodhounds Of Broadway

PG - 1:27
Cast: Madonna, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Grey Director: Howard Brookner
Set in the 1920's, the film follows the parties and adventures of the flashy characters of that time.

9:00AM ET/8:00 C
Sylvester

PG - 1:40
Cast: Melissa Gilbert, Richard Farnsworth, Constance Towers Director: Tim Hunter
A teenage girl works to train a horse for the National Equestrian Trials all while caring for her younger brothers.

10:45AM ET/9:45 C
North Shore

PG - 1:34
Cast: Matt Adler, Gregory Harrison, Nia Peeples Director: William Phelps
A mainland surfer from Arizona, makes his way to Hawaii to surf the big waves.

12:30PM ET/11:30 C
Sex and The Single Girl

NR - 1:54
Cast: Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda Director: Richard Quine
A journalist poses as a man with marital problems to get the scoop on the International Institute of Marital Studies.

2:30PM ET/1:30 C
Harper

NR - 2:01
Cast: Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris Director: Jack Smight
A woman calls on the hot shot detective Harper to investigate the disappearance of her husband.

4:35PM ET/3:35 C
Bloodhounds Of Broadway

PG - 1:27
Cast: Madonna, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Grey Director: Howard Brookner
Set in the 1920's, the film follows the parties and adventures of the flashy characters of that time.

6:15PM ET/5:15 C
North Shore

PG - 1:34
Cast: Matt Adler, Gregory Harrison, Nia Peeples Director: William Phelps
A mainland surfer from Arizona, makes his way to Hawaii to surf the big waves.

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Hero At Large

PG - 1:38
Cast: John Ritter, Anne Archer, Bert Convy Director: Martin Davidson
An actor tries his luck as a superhero after he accidently stops a crime dressed in his cape.

9:45PM ET/8:45 C
Destiny Turns on the Radio

R - 1:42
Cast: Dylan McDermott, Nancy Travis, James LeGros Director: Jack Baran
A mysterious character, Johnny Destiny, recruits his fellow Vegas buddies to help send him home. One of them has more personal matters in mind.

11:30PM ET/10:30 C
Hero At Large

PG - 1:38
Cast: John Ritter, Anne Archer, Bert Convy Director: Martin Davidson
An actor tries his luck as a superhero after he accidently stops a crime dressed in his cape.

1:15AM ET/12:15 C
Destiny Turns on the Radio

R - 1:42
Cast: Dylan McDermott, Nancy Travis, James LeGros Director: Jack Baran
A mysterious character, Johnny Destiny, recruits his fellow Vegas buddies to help send him home. One of them has more personal matters in mind.

3:00AM ET/2:00 C
Brainscan

R - 1:36
Cast: Jamie Marsh, Amy Hargreaves, Edward Furlong Director: John Flynn
A cop is close on the trail of a teenager whose virtual reality game turned deadly.

4:45AM ET/3:45 C
Slaves Of New York

R - 2:05
Cast: Nick Corri, Bernadette Peters, Adam Coleman Howard Director: James Ivory
Eleanor, a struggling artist, finally finds success upon leaving her abusive boyfriend.
 

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7:45AM ET/6:45 C
The Curse Of The Dragon

TVPG Time: 87  
Friends, family and co-workers recall the life and career of legendary martial-arts star Bruce Lee.

9:15AM ET/8:15 C
Black Knight

PG13 Time: 95  
Martin Lawrence brings the 'hood into the Middle Ages in this "rip-roaring time-travel comedy" (L.A. Times) that is loosely based on Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Jamal Walker (Lawrence) works for a struggling medieval theme park until a fall into a time warp lands him in f

11:00AM ET/10:00 C
Spider-man

PG13 Time: 121  
"With great power comes great responsibility." For Peter Parker, his late uncle's words become his personal credo in this spectacular adaptation of the landmark comic book. Directed by Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead films) and written by David Koepp, the film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter, a nerdy high-school teen who lives with his aunt and uncle in Queens and pines for his sexy neighbor Mary Jane. Bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter suddenly develops incredible physical characteristics, but it is not until his uncle is tragically murdered that the youth realizes his true calling. For New York City, it's just in time, thanks to the arrival of the Green Goblin, an evildoer whose mask and murderous mission hide his true identity--and his disturbing connection to Peter! Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco co-star.

1:00PM ET/12:00 C
Blind Fury

R Time: 86  
Blinded in Vietnam, Nick Parker (Rutger Hauer) arms himself with a lethal "sixth sense" and a razor-sharp sword. Taking on the gambling mob threatening his best friend, the sightless samurai teaches them two lessons: never make Nick angry--and don't ever let him catch you in the dark!

2:30PM ET/1:30 C
Unlawful Entry

R Time: 111  
A break-in...a knife-wielding intruder...Michael and Karen thought their troubles were over when the cops arrived. But one of the officers is a psycho who becomes obsessed with Karen--and does everything in his power to destroy their life together! Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe star in this suspense thriller as the couple under siege. Ray Liotta plays their tormentor.

4:20PM ET/3:20 C
Quiet

TVMA Time: 28  
The loss of his son and the stress of dealing with his nasty, domineering wife send a man over the edge in this darkly comic short. Directed by Sylvain White. Widescreen.

4:50PM ET/3:50 C
Mr. Deeds

PG13 Time: 96  
Longfellow Deeds is a man who enjoys the simple small-town life, but when a company worth $40 billion dollars falls into his lap, it's time to hit the big city! Adam Sandler stars as Deeds in this uproarious comedy remake of Frank Capra's endearing 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. When an elderly relative drops dead atop Mount Everest, his monstrous media company is turned over to Deeds. Once in the big city, nice-guy Deeds must use his small-town values--and some old-school physical intimidation--to keep the company together and save thousands of jobs despite being undermined by a greedy corporate executive and a devious reporter. Peter Gallagher co-stars. Directed by Steven Brill.

6:30PM ET/5:30 C
Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood

R Time: 88  
The Wayans brothers star in this hilarious gangster spoof as boys learning to become men while growing up in South Central, Los Angeles. Ashtray (Shawn Wayans) is sent back to South Central by his mother to learn life's lessons. There, he hooks up with his old gang, including his best pal, the gun-toting boozehound Loc Dog (Marlon Wayans), his pot-head grandmother--and the beautiful, but promiscuous Dashiki whose loose behavior has made her a mother of seven! Cameos by other Wayans siblings include Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, Kim Wayans and Damon Wayans. Co-starring Chris Spencer, Suli McCullough and Darrell Heath. Directed by Paris Barclay; written by Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Phil Beauman.

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Spider-man

PG13 Time: 121  
"With great power comes great responsibility." For Peter Parker, his late uncle's words become his personal credo in this spectacular adaptation of the landmark comic book. Directed by Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead films) and written by David Koepp, the film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter, a nerdy high-school teen who lives with his aunt and uncle in Queens and pines for his sexy neighbor Mary Jane. Bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter suddenly develops incredible physical characteristics, but it is not until his uncle is tragically murdered that the youth realizes his true calling. For New York City, it's just in time, thanks to the arrival of the Green Goblin, an evildoer whose mask and murderous mission hide his true identity--and his disturbing connection to Peter! Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco co-star.

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
Swimfan

PG13 Time: 84  
A hunky high-school swimmer with a great future finds his life sinking to the bottom after a lusty fling with a slinky, but psychotic new girl on campus. Jesse Bradford stars as the swim-team standout Ben Cronin whose private lesson with attractive new co-ed Madison (Erika Christensen) leads to steamy antics in the pool. Madison claims its only a one-night stand, but it's not long before the sultry sexpot becomes a full-fledged stalker leading Ben down a dangerous path that could cost him his girlfriend, his career--and even his life. Shiri Appleby, Kate Burton and Dan Hedaya co-star. Directed by John Polson.

11:30PM ET/10:30 C
The Pleasure Zone 10: Hidden Desires

TVMA Time: 29  
Log on...and fulfill your every desire! In this risque adult series, a young woman runs an Internet dating service that links its users with their fantasy partners!

12:00AM ET/11:00 C
Double Team

R Time: 92  
Belgium's muscleman Jean-Claude Van Damme and basketball's bad boy Dennis Rodman are double dynamite in this "action-packed, often campy and colorful amusement park of a movie" (Variety). The thrills begin when super agent Van Damme teams up with outrageous high-tech arms dealer Rodman to take out a ruthless terrorist. This slambang, chase-filled film bristles with all the energy and flash of the best Hong Kong action movies. With Mickey Rourke.

1:35AM ET/12:35 C
Girl For Girl

R Time: 86  
Two partners in a dot-com firm fall hard for two women, but feel that they must test out their new girlfriends' fidelity in this erotic drama. After Jeff asks Ben to attempt to seduce his girlfriend, Ben counters with a request for Jeff to seduce his girlfriend. No one's motivations are obvious, and the romantic games lead to trouble and confusion. With Kelli McCarty, Sebastian Guy, Tracy Smith, Brian Bianchini, Flower.

3:05AM ET/2:05 C
Exterminator 2

R Time: 90  
A vigilante with a penchant for hunting criminal misfits pursues an underground gang of thugs in this action sequel. Vietnam veteran John Eastland (Robert Ginty) patrols the streets at night armed with his blowtorch to bring society's delinquents to justice. When gang leader X (Mario Van Peebles) directs his cronies to attack an armored car in pursuit of cash, the Exterminator interferes and torches one of the thugs. But things get serious when the gang cripples Eastland's girlfriend and attacks his pal Be Gee, giving the Exterminator a personal mandate to destroy X and his hooligans. Also with Deborah Geffner and Frankie Faison. Written by Mark Buntzman and William Sachs. Directed by Mark Buntzman.

4:35AM ET/3:35 C
Flashpoint

R Time: 89  
On patrol in the remote Texas desert, two American border guards stumble on a half-buried jeep containing a skeleton, a high-powered rifle, and $800,000 in cash. Treat Williams and Kris Kristofferson star as the two cops trying to decide whether to head for Mexico with the money or report their find to the authorities. Where did the jeep come from? And why is the FBI so interested in the discovery? With Tess Harper and Rip Torn.
 

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6:45AM ET/5:45 C
Baby's Day Out

PG Time: 98  
When three klutzy kidnappers grab a wealthy couple's baby, they think the $5 million ransom is a sure thing. Wrong! The nine-month-old escapes, and leads the trio on a slapstick chase around Chicago, getting into one dangerous situation after another that always end badly for the bad guys. A comedy that's "undeniably, irresistibly, irrationally funny...an attractive package that the kids will love"

8:30AM ET/7:30 C
The Fugitive

PG13 Time: 130  
A one-armed man killed Dr. Kimble's wife, but the police think he did it. Now he's got to find the killer before the cops catch him. That's the simple plot of this blockbuster action hit starring Harrison Ford as the doctor on the run and 1993 Best Supporting Actor Oscar(R) winner Tommy Lee Jones as the cop on his trail. "A propulsive mix of action, suspense and humor" (Hollywood Reporter). "A consummate nail biter...it leaves you breathless" (Variety). "A smashing success...a home run" (New York Times).

10:45AM ET/9:45 C
The Experts

PG13 Time: 93  
Tune in for pre-Glasnost laughs with John Travolta in this outrageous spy comedy. The KGB has created a fake U.S. town in the heart of Russia to train their agents for infiltration into American society. To make sure they've got Yankee culture down pat, they drug and shanghai two unsuspecting N.Y. dishwashers--who think they're in Nebraska!

12:30PM ET/11:30 C
The Tale Of Holmes - Cooney: Legendary Nights: 02

TVPG Time: 26  
A look at this 1982 fight that is remembered as much for how it was promoted as a race battle as for the fight itself which pitted Larry Holmes, the undefeated World Heavyweight champion trying to escape Muhammad Ali's shadow, against Gerry Cooney, an Irish New Yorker dubbed "the Great White Hope."

1:00PM ET/12:00 C
Half Past Dead

PG13 Time: 98  
A botched police operation left him dead for 22 minutes. But for FBI agent Sascha Petrosevitch, his latest predicament is even more deadly! Steven Seagal stars as the tough-as-nails agent who goes undercover in the refurbished prison at Alcatraz. As authorities prepare to execute a top criminal at the prison, heavily armed paratroopers storm the building to save the man--and get valuable information out of him. What the bad guys don't count on is that Sascha a is one-man wrecking crew who will stop at nothing to take them down! Morris Chestnut, Ja Rule, Nia Peeples and Tony Plana co-star in this intense action film. Written and directed by Don Michael Paul.

3:00PM ET/2:00 C
Fly Away Home

PG Time: 106  
A girl and her father teach a flock of geese to fly-then lead them south for the winter-in this endearing family film. Moving to Canada to live with her estranged father after her mother's death, young Amy is sullen and troubled...until she becomes a surrogate mother to a nest of goose eggs. The newly hatched chicks regard her as their real mother, and it soon becomes clear that she's going to have to perform all a mother's tasks! Directed by Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion).

5:00PM ET/4:00 C
The Fugitive

PG13 Time: 130  
A one-armed man killed Dr. Kimble's wife, but the police think he did it. Now he's got to find the killer before the cops catch him. That's the simple plot of this blockbuster action hit starring Harrison Ford as the doctor on the run and 1993 Best Supporting Actor Oscar(R) winner Tommy Lee Jones as the cop on his trail. "A propulsive mix of action, suspense and humor" (Hollywood Reporter). "A consummate nail biter...it leaves you breathless" (Variety). "A smashing success...a home run" (New York Times).

7:15PM ET/6:15 C
Steel

PG13 Time: 97  
Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal scores big-time as the champion of might and right in the neighborhood. With a heart of gold, a vest of steel and an ironclad stash of secret weapons, he's out to wipe up the seamier side of L.A.--and that means every terrorist, gangster, punk and sleazebag on the block. Based on the popular D.C. Comics(R) superhero. With Annabeth Gish, Richard Roundtree, Judd Nelson.

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
Half Past Dead

PG13 Time: 98  
A botched police operation left him dead for 22 minutes. But for FBI agent Sascha Petrosevitch, his latest predicament is even more deadly! Steven Seagal stars as the tough-as-nails agent who goes undercover in the refurbished prison at Alcatraz. As authorities prepare to execute a top criminal at the prison, heavily armed paratroopers storm the building to save the man--and get valuable information out of him. What the bad guys don't count on is that Sascha a is one-man wrecking crew who will stop at nothing to take them down! Morris Chestnut, Ja Rule, Nia Peeples and Tony Plana co-star in this intense action film. Written and directed by Don Michael Paul.

11:30PM ET/10:30 C
Sex And The City 91: The Cold War

TVMA Time: 29  
No Description Available.

1:50AM ET/12:50 C
Escape Under Pressure

R Time: 91  
An extremely rare artifact found on a Greek island sets off a ferocious battle on the deck of a sinking ferryboat in this high-energy thriller. A greedy collector (Craig Wasson) sends his goons to take the piece, but they don't anticipate having to deal with an elusive college professor (Larisa Miller) who will stop at nothing to protect it. Stanley Kamel co-stars.

3:25AM ET/2:25 C
Flatliners

R Time: 114  
Is death the ultimate trip? Five maverick medical students dare to cross the final barrier, temporarily "flatlining" their heartbeats in search of life beyond death. Little do they suspect that what they find may be able to follow them back! A cast of Hollywood's hottest young stars brings this pulse-pounding suspense drama to life: Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon and William Baldwin.

5:30AM ET/4:30 C
HBO Transmission Test

NR Time: 88  
No Description Available.
 

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10:30AM ET/9:30 C
Partners (2001)

WIDESCREEN OAR UPCONV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
R 1h 31m
After he's overheard indiscreetly revealing his plan to rip off his boss to the tune of seven figures, a geeky computer programmer (David Paymer) is forced to team up with a blue collar hood (Casper Van Dien) as they try to unload a valuable program on the black market. Vanessa Angel costars in this crime caper.

1:30PM ET/12:30 C
Ed's Next Move

WIDESCREEN OAR UPCONV
Stereo
R 1h 28m
Ed (Matt Ross) is a naive but endearing Wisconsin geneticist who is struggling to understand life and women in Manhattan. Acting as his guide to the bewildering ways of the city is Ed's savvy and cynical roommate (Kevin Carroll), a ladies' man with an aversion to commitment. Praised for its witty dialogue and the fresh and endearing performances by Ross and Callie Thorne (playing the object of Ed's affections), John Walsh's romantic comedy may remind viewers of everything from Woody Allen classics to Ed Burns's "The Brothers McMullen."

3:00PM ET/2:00 C
Modern Romance

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
R 1h 34m
Writer and director-star Albert Brooks' second film is a comedy about a neurotic film editor who struggles to maintain a relationship with his girlfriend (Kathryn Harrold) while editing a cheap sci-fi knockoff with his assistant (Bruno Kirby). James L. Brooks costars with George Kennedy and Meadowlark Lemon, who play themselves.

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
The Hours

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
PG13 1h 55m
Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman stars in this meditative drama as famed author Virginia Woolf, who is beginning work on her literary masterpiece "Mrs. Dalloway" even as she battles a crippling depression - and as a pair of similarly desperate women (Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep) in other eras deal with crises of their own by reading Woolf's seminal work. Ed Harris, Jeff Daniels and John C. Reilly costar in this acclaimed adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, directed by Stephen Daldry ("Billy Elliott").

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
What's Cooking?

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Stereo / CCAP
PG13 1h 50m
Gurinder Chadha ("Bhaji on the Beach," "Bend It Like Beckham") wrote and directed this multicultural ensemble drama that examines the crises unfolding in four ethnically diverse households, while sumptuous feasts are prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday. Dennis Haysbert, Alfre Woodard, Douglas Spain, Mercedes Ruehl, Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Margulies and Joan Chen star.

12:00AM ET/11:00 C
Jeepers Creepers

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
R 1h 31m
Gina Philips ("Boston Public") and Justin Long ("Ed") star in this terrifying horror yarn as siblings on a road trip home from college who become hunted by a supernatural, cannibalistic legend from which even the police and a psychic cannot protect them. Patricia Belcher, Brandon Smith and Eileen Brennan costar.

3:15AM ET/2:15 C
Gladiator

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Stereo / CCAP
R 1h 42m
James Marshall ("A Few Good Men") and Cuba Gooding Jr. ("Boyz N the Hood") star as small-time boxers with big-time dreams and hopes of escaping Chicago's mean streets in this action drama. Brian Dennehy, Robert Loggia, Ossie Davis and John Heard costar.
 

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