• by David Goetzl , July 3, 2008

Dish Network said it now offers local HD channels in 61 markets, accounting for 68% of the country.

 

The satellite provider, due to heavy advertising by competitor DirecTV, doesn't have the same level of HD-driven brand recognition. But it has added the local HD channels in the 39th and 47th largest DMAs--Grand Rapids, Mich., and Memphis, Tenn., respectively.

The company will also add local HD in 22 additional markets by the fall, including top-60 DMAs Albany, NY and Scranton, Pa.

Eric Sahl, a Dish senior vice president, said the company is "aggressively moving forward with plans to reach 100 HD local markets and 100 national HD channels."

DirecTV spent 2007 airing a pricey ad campaign promising 100 HD channels by Jan. 1. It fell short, but still established itself as a leader in the HD space. Dish was dealt a blow this week: AT&T will stop offering customers packages with Dish service by the end of the year.