• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, November 1, 2007

With two months to go, DirecTV is almost three-quarters of the way toward its promise of 100 HD channels by Jan. 1. The satellite operator said it has added a high-definition feed of NBA TV to its lineup, its 74th channel in the pristine format.

Counting on a slew of HD channels to hold current and lure new customers, DirecTV is in the midst of a heavy marketing campaign promoting the coming century mark.

It's also banking on HD sports channels--considered the genre with perhaps the greatest appeal in the format--to headline the initiative, with 16 on board so far. Derek Chang, executive vice president, content strategy and development at DirecTV, said: "Sports fans continue to be the most enthusiastic consumers of HD."

NBA TV--which reportedly will continue to be owned by the league, but will turn over management to another programmer--will air 72 live games this season in HD.