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DirecTV recently began offering an expanded HDTV package, for about $11/month. This package includes Discovery HD, ESPN-HD, HDNet, and HDNet Movies.

At this point, it's a mixed bag.

Discovery HD has the nature documentaries that you would expect from the Discovery channel. They look amazing in HD. But, the selection is relatively small, so they repeat shows very often.

ESPN-HD mirrors the programming of the standard ESPN channel. So, most of the content, including the many hours of Sportscenter, are standard definition. They show 2-4 games per week, in 720P60 high definition, and they look great. ESPN just needs to increase the amount of available programming.

HDNet is the same HD demo channel that has been free for the last couple years. Not only is it now a pay channel, but the quality keeps going down. With the new entrants into the HD field, HDNet was not able to broadcast MLB games this year. They still had NHL games this year, but with ESPN now doing HD, I would be surprised if HDNet can still do hockey next year. In general, there is not much programming of interest on HDNet.

HDNet Movies is a new channel, with full 1080i movies, all the time. All movies are shown in their original aspect ratio (not modified/cropped like some other networks do). Unlike HBO-HD, they don't mix in a bunch of 4:3 standard definition material. Whenever you turn on HDNET Movies, you can be sure it will be HD. This is probably the best part of the HD package thus far.