71 Reds Games in HDTV

After being shut out last season, it sounds like Time Warner customers may be able to see Cincinnati Reds games in high-definition from Fox Sports Net Ohio this year.

FSN Ohio plans to televise nearly half (71) of its 145 Reds games this season in the wide-screen format. That's also more than double the HDTV games from last year (33). But Opening Day again won't be in HDTV.

We should know in the next few days if Time Warner – and Insight -- will carry the HDTV games this year.

Time Warner , which didn't carry any of the 33 FSNO HDTV games last year, will release a statement about Reds' HDTV games this week, says Karen Baxter, public affairs director for Time Warner’s southwest Ohio division.

"We hope to be able to offer the Reds in HDTV this year," Baxter says. "I don’t have a full green light to make my announcement yet. But this is good news. We're excited about it."

Insight Communications officials also were not prepared Monday to say if Reds would be back in HDTV next month. Insight carried all 33 HDTV games last year, providing them at no extra charge to Insight digital customers with HDTV converter boxes.

"We have not yet made a decision as to whether or not we'll air them. I hope to have an answer for you Tuesday," says Maggie Woolf, Insight marketing director.

DirecTV and Dish Network also have access to the 71 FSN Ohio HDTV games, says Steve Pawlowski, spokesman for the Cleveland-based regional sports network.

FSN Ohio managers did not want to comment Monday about HDTV carriage by area cable companies. "We understand that Reds fans want to see these games in HDTV, and we're happy to provide them. We're hopeful and confident that everyone will be able to see them,: says Steve Liverani, FSN Ohio senior vice president and general manager.

FSNO will do five games in standard definition from Great American Ball Park before the first HDTV telecast at 8 p.m. April 8 from Milwaukee. The Reds TV season starts with two Arizona games (Opening Day on March 31, and Wednesday April 2), and the April 4-6 weekend home stand with Philadelphia.

"It just kills me that we couldn’t do Opening Day in high-definition. There just wasn't enough satellite HD transponder time for the game," Liverani says.

FSNO opens the Reds season tonight with the Reds-Yankees from Tampa at 7:15 in standard definition. Two more spring training games in standard definition are scheduled: Reds-Tigers at 1:05 p.m. March 17, and Reds-Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. on March 24.

Below is the Reds TV schedule. HDTV games are in bold.

TUESDAY UPDATE: I tried to post the TV sked, but it didn't work. If I can figure out another way, I'll get it back up.