Starting April 1st, the YES Network will launch a standalone HD channel offering all New York Yankees home and away games in 1080i high definition. YES has secured carriage deals with Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cablevision and DirecTV, ensuring that 95 percent of the network’s subscribers will have access to YES HD

HBO has committed to making all 26 of its program feeds available in 1080i HD. The expansion will begin later this year and should be completed by the middle of 2008. At this time, HBO has two HD offerings—HBO HDTV, launched in 1999, and Cinemax HDTV, kicked off in 2003. The HBO HD multiplex, which offers HBO’s o

“Inside the NFL,” which was featured on HBO for more than 30 seasons, was not renewed by HBO for 2008-09 but was picked up by another pay-channel, Showtime, which will also upgrade the program to HD.

Four more cable channels have added Dolby Digital 5.1 audio to their HD programming: Bravo HD, Cinemax HD, The Movie Channel HD and Spice HD. The channels debuted toward the end of 2003, airing movies, live concert series and original content using Dolby Digital broadcasting equipment. "Many more HD services have laun

NBC-- which currently broadcasts 90 percent of its scripted programming in 1080i HD--is upgrading the rest of its late-night lineup to high-def. In April, the HD conversion is expected to begin, with "Late Night with Conan O'Brian" kicking off the HD switch. In fall, "Saturday Night Live" will premiere in HD as well

Showtime Networks will launch its second HD channel, "The Movie Channel HD" in December. The East Coast feed will be available in 1080i and 5.1 Dolby Digital. The network says 75 percent of the primetime schedule on The Movie Channel will be in HD and will feature movies such as "Bandits," "Rollerball," and "Sidewalk

Last month, QVC ceased offering QVCHD as an upconverted simulcast of the shopping channel and transitioned into 100 percent native HD production, the multimedia retailer said last week

Daily A.M. program marks hi-def first for national news show