• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, July 7, 2008

As it seeks to keep up with Verizon and satellite providers' rush to add HD channels, Cablevision said last week it has added 15 more and is now up to 60.

The channels will be available across the New York-area MSO's footprint by Aug. 1. A significant portion of Cablevision TV customers -- some 1.1 million out of 2.7 million -- receive HD channels. More than 85% of Cablevision's cable customers are iO TV digital cable customers, the highest digital penetration in the U.S.

The new networks include Cablevision-owned WE and AMC, which carries the hit series "Mad Men," as well as Discovery, FX and the Fox News Channel.

"Free HD has become an important competitive differentiator of our digital cable service," said John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice president of product management. In addition to the 60 channels, customers also get the HD games of all nine New York-area pro sports teams.

In the last year, the MSO said its HD offerings have increased from 23 channels to the 60 by the end of the month, and its customers with HD capabilities are up more than 50%.

The MSO competes with Verizon's new telco TV service, FiOS, and DirecTV and Dish -- all of whom are being aggressive at building out their HD suites.