• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, August 21, 2008

Verizon's telco TV service has begun offering a 24-hour network devoted entirely to fishing to its New York-area customers, including those in parts of the five boroughs. WFN: World Fishing Network is now available in HD to FiOS service subscribers.

FiOS recently became available in Manhattan, where it poses a challenge to Time Warner Cable. Elsewhere in the New York region, it competes primarily with Cablevision.

Outside New York City, FiOS is available on Long Island and in other suburbs.

The 3-year-old WFN is operated by Canadian company Insight Sports and is in 20 million homes in North America. The HD version adds to the FiOS lineup of HD networks, and could serve as a content offering that may peel away customers from cable or satellite competitors.

Terry Denson, vice president of FiOS TV content and programming, said the operator continues to focus on offering "compelling, special interest programming that captures customers' passions."

FiOS is in some 7 million homes in 13 states.