LOS ANGELES – Quality adult programming moved into a new frontier this week when VOOM, Cablevision’s high-definition direct broadcast satellite platform, launched. The platform will bring Playboy TV to the nation’s HD television screens.
VOOM currently only had a deal with Playboy TV, but discussions may already be in the works with Larry Flynt Publications to Hustler-ized hi-def to a new level.

Romantic couples, lonely singles and cable thieves can get ready to see their pornography with a brand new clarity. While adult entertainment aficionados may add a whole new level of detail to their favorite hobby, casual dirty movie viewers may discover they’re seeing a bit too much.

“I think a lot of viewers would probably not want to see our competitor’s content in HDTV,” says Charles Prast, chief executive officer of Spain-based adult provider Private Media Group. “I don’t think you want that level of definition.”
Past discussions of high definition programming have noted that even that most aesthetically pleasing of stars sometimes have flaws and blemishes exposed by the medium. If Cameron Diaz doesn’t look her best in high def, what are the chances that Jenna Jameson will retain her allure.

“I think high definition is a great thing for beautiful cinematographic productions and maybe sports events,” says Ken Boenish, the president of the Erotic Network. “The question for adult entertainment is going to be whether it’s going to be a benefit or is it going to be a detriment.

Adult films are rarely accused of being beautiful cinematographic productions, particularly in the age of digital video and considering that the close-up is one of the genre’s basic units, high definition viewers may find themselves seeing a lot more than they every wanted to.