Blu-Ray release = Cable/Satellite HD movies?

[Maxell]

I have noticed that most of the movies shown in HD on channels like TNTHD, TBSHD, FXHD, etc have been released on blu-ray (or hd-dvd) such as the Fugitive, I-Robot, the Recruit, etc. Movies not shown in HD also seem not to be on blu-ray or hddvd in most cases (such as Batman Forever and other movies they broadcast stretched).

Are these just transfers from the blu-ray version (curses and nudity edited) or is it just a coincidence?

[EricJ]

I've seen too many instances for it to be coincidence--

With a few made-for-network exceptions, a studio has to hi-def master a movie before sending it to cable, and if they're going to spend that much money, there's got to be a disk release to pay for it.
And if a network can't afford to master their OWN hi-def prints (although Starz apparently can, most can't), they're going to salvage what's already out in the marketplace.

And judging from what's been turning up on the On Demand HD channels this month...ten bucks says we see "Rushmore" announced for Blu by year's end.

[FIDDYPOP]

I believe that the HD channels are trying to ride the blu wave so to say. Those movies would be in style, have some nostalgic value. You would be more likely to watch because you have reminded of them. Maybe even thought or have purchased said movies.

[EricJ]

Believe the point was, we haven't seen any OTHERS...

If they're on the cable channels (and in "real" HD), they're on disk, and if they're not, they're not.
Y'know, it's just possible "Waiting" may have gotten more play on HD cable than it ever got in theaters, just because it was all they had in Blu?