• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, November 2, 2007

One competitor to DirecTV isn't content to sit on the sidelines as the satellite provider tries to stake ground as the leader in the HD area. Telco TV operator Verizon says it plans to offer 150 high-definition channels by the end of 2008--a figure the company is floating as DirecTV heavily promotes that it will have 100 HD channels by Jan. 1.

DirecTV currently offers 74, and Verizon offers 30 in most markets. Verizon says it will double that figure to 60 in the spring, en route to the 150 by Jan. 1, 2009.

Cable operator Comcast has already run ads claiming HD leadership vis-à-vis DirecTV. Comcast and fellow cable companies are likely to ramp up their marketing about the extent of their offerings, particularly now if Verizon spreads its claim widely. Comcast and Cablevision have indicated that Verizon--which is relatively new to providing its own TV service (under the FiOS banner) and in 717,000 homes so far--has peeled customers away.

With the number of U.S. homes with HD service on the rise (11.3%, or 12.7 million, according to Nielsen) and many of those customers hungry for as much of their programming in the more pristine feed as possible, providers are seeking to meet that desire. And as more Americans buy HD sets, they might opt for a service with the most channels in the form--particularly sports, which is considered the most appealing genre.

In addition to its HD push, Verizon said it will offer more sports and multicultural channels next year in standard-definition. And the telco TV provider said its 150 HD channels will be joined by HD feeds of video-on-demand programming--greater than 1,000 offerings next year.