HDNet, the world's only all high-definition national television network, began broadcasts via DIRECTV channel 199 on Thursday, September 20. The broadcast of the Minnesota Twins versus Texas Rangers baseball game was the first of 15 Major League Baseball games to be aired throughout this month. Founded by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Philip Garvin, HDNet will expand in October from a limited schedule to a 16-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week schedule of sports and entertainment HDTV programs.
HDNet's focus at launch will be primarily on sports broadcasts, events that have proven to be the ideal showcase for the superior viewing experience of HDTV.
HDNet will broadcast 15 MLB games in September as well as a full schedule of games throughout the 2002 season. National Hockey League broadcasts begin in October and will include at least 65 games during the 2001-2002 season. HDNet will product its MLB and NHL game broadcasts in conjunction with certain Fox Sports Net (FSN) regional outlets, sharing audio and graphics with FSN's standard-definition production units.
HDNet programming is currently available on channel 199 to all DIRECTV subscribers at no additional monthly programming cost. Additional information is available at: www.hd.net.