DIRECTV to add more local HD markets

DIRECTV will add seven additional markets where it makes local HD television available this summer, taking its total of cities served by local HD to 133, or 91 percent of all U.S. TV households, the company said last week.

The direct-to-home satellite TV provider will add local HD channels in: Charleston-Huntington, WV; Columbia, SC; Huntsville-Decatur, AL; Jackson, MS; Lexington, KY; Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA; and Shreveport, LA. According to Derek Chang, executive VP, content strategy and development, at DIRECTV, the company plans to add more national and local HD channels in 2010.

“We understand the importance local programming in HD plays in the overall television viewing experience,” he said.