Tucked in between the "worst kept secret" PSP Go and motion control demos at its E3 press conference, Sony also revealed new content for the PlayStation Network video service, and the ability to download video directly to the PSP, no PS3 or PC intermediary needed. No word on when to expect the new content exactly, but it will include video from Showtime Networks, Starz, G4 & E!, Summit Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, HDNet & Magnolia Pictures, Anime Network, Media Blasters, Right Stuf's Nozomi Entertainment, Starz Media's Manga Entertainment, Toei Animation, Viz Media, WEP, UFC, TNA and Video Action Sports. Looks like Sony will have easy on the go access to video store content up and running before Microsoft gets its Zune integration act together, but whether that compares to 1080p instant streaming promises remains to be seen (Hint: first one with direct Hulu access wins, we're just saying, guys.) Check out Sony's trailer embedded after the break.

Boy, these content guardians sure are getting brave. First was Friday Night Lights debuting on DirecTV's The 101 weeks before network TV, and now Showtime's United States of Tara is scheduled to be available first via Netflix's Watch Instantly service. The series premiere will be made available on January 8th to Netflix subscribers, while it won't be aired on Showtime until Sunday, January 18th at 10:00PM. Also of note, it appears that the show will air on DirecTV's The 101 channel on January 9th, possibly indicating that Showtime is keenly interested in gauging interest in exclusive pre-launches. Finally, we're told that season premiers of The L Word and Secret Diary of a Call Girl will hit Netflix customers day-and-date (January 18th) with the network debuts. We're beginning to wonder if Netflix can do any wrong.

[Thanks, Vanbrothers]

While you and your crew kick in a few bucks to catch the Pacquiao / de la Hoya fight tonight, keep in mind you're witnessing the launch of a new network, Event TV HD. The new high definition version of TVN's linear Pay-Per-View net promises to bring boxing, MMA and wrestling action in crisp 1080i and 5.1 surround. That usually includes All Day Event tickets if you want to see a replay, or themed programs during the week. TVN sells its package to cable, satellite and other providers who then pass the PPV on to you, so when Pacman takes this, remember who was responsible for bringing it to you.

[Via Multichannel News]

Make room Comcast, Verizon's barged in on Project Infinity territory, staking its own claim of 1,000 high definition video on-demand titles available, two months earlier than it had previously planned. That puts it well ahead in the choices/channels debate, with the latest additions courtesy of Starz, Showtime and Sundance Channel. If you're willing to accept something less than HD for your VOD, there's a total of 11,000 items available every month (8,500 without an additional charge), but we're just settling in as the race to 3,000 high definition watch-anytime choices begins.

A hot, hot summer isn't keeping The Weinstein Company from staying busy, as just weeks after announcing its intentions to finally join the herd and go Blu-ray exclusive comes word that it has inked a long-term deal with Showtime Networks. The two have entered into an "exclusive seven-year film distribution arrangement" which will be effective with Weinstein's 2009 release schedule. Showtime viewers can expect to see Nine, Inglorious Bastards and other highly acclaimed pictures from the outfit, and for those interested, you may be stoked to find that the output deal "also includes releases from Dimension Films." So, is this enough incentive to keep this premium around?

For years, we've wondered why Inside the NFL, with its sweet NFL Films footage and in depth coverage of one of the best sports to watch in high definition, was stuck in SD; but the show's move to Showtime has remedied that. TV Week reveals the upcoming season will be produced for your HDTV, the only proper format considering we get the games live in HD and daily highlights on ESPN-HD, why should a weekly magazine show be any different? If you miss an episode Wednesday night at 9 p.m. (starting September 10), expect plenty of opportunities to see it again with about 10 replays per week, hosted by Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms and James Brown plus a series of guest hosts. Thanks Showtime, for letting HBO know how things should be done -- seriously, Bill Maher going HD first should have been a crime.

Don't worry about Showtime, the network insists the threat of a Viacom-MGM-Paramount-Lionsgate premium movie channel is not going to hurt it, and in fact it's "in a better position as a free agent", according to VP Stu Zakim. Multichannel News has word from the corporate PR exec that only two movies ranked among the 20 top rated programs on the network in 2007, and considering the license fees the studios asked, it was better served investing in series development and marketing. We can expect fresh movies on Showtime through 2010-11, but after that it'll be up to remaining partner CBS Films to keep serving up the flicks, but for lovers of Weeds, Californication and Dexter there should be plenty more where that came from.

Not even a month after Cox Communications blessed those in Northern Virginia with 11 new high-definition channels, the cable company is now giving NoVa residents even more HD options. Similar to the rollout seen last summer in Southern California, Cox is giving customers in Fairfax County access to over 20 Starz! and Showtime on-demand flicks in HD. Interestingly, it's still a bit unclear whether any additional HD VOD content was added aside from films on those two channels, so for any Cox subscribers located in this here region, why not fire up your service and give us the skinny?

The new summer shows in HD kicked off last night on HBO and for the first time ever HBO brought us 30 minute comedies in HD, which is one more reason to look forward to Curb Your Enthusiasm . For whatever reason the summer is the time for reality shows, but thankfully cable networks bring us new shows in HD.

Last night's shows on HBO were to par from previous seasons and the new show Lucky Louie was hilarious, it is married men comedy at its best, without a doubt the funniest since Married with Children. Yes that is a fake gun in the picture that the uncle brought as a gift for the four year old girl. HBO isn't the only one with news shows, TNT and Showtime both have a few HD offerings to look forward to.

June 11th

• Deadwood
  
• Entourage
• Lucky Louie

June 12

• Closer
• Saved

July 9th

• Brotherhood

July 12

• Nightmares & Dreamscapes

Did I miss any?

So, here I am watching Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow on Showtime and it is simply amazing. This movie is made for high definition. The depth of the "color" is what makes this so spectacular. This movie was made entirely in front of a "green screen" and the graphics were digital put in. There are no bright colors in the movie at all - well, besides the scene where Wizard of Oz is playing in the background. But that is what makes this movie so unique. True videophiles will love the deep, rich gray-tones that you just can't find anywhere else.

Showtime loves to run the same movies over and over again, so I am sure that you will be able to check it out sooner or later. Or...wait till the Blu-Ray version is released.

There's not much in the way of high definition thrillers yet, but Showtime's Masters of Horror series fills the spot well, even if some of the episodes are a bit campy. Our friends at TV Squad have let us know that the series will be returning for a second season, no word on which directors will do episodes yet.