DBS firm DirecTV looks like it will make good on its year-long promise to provide a minimum of 120 markets with local HD broadcast signals. To date, it says, it is providing local-into-local HD in 100 markets, steadily diminishing one of its historic disadvantages versus cable.
Adding the 100th local market, according to DirecTV, now means more than 80 percent of U.S. homes are now able to receive their respective local channels in HD. By the end of 2008, class to 90 percent of homes will be affected, the DBS firm said.
The last couple of markets added to DirecTV's local-HD roster included Evansville, Ind. (DMA No. 102) and Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo. (DMA No. 137).
