The direct-to-satellite provider has added A&E HD.

The move brings to 12 the number of cities where DISH Network is making local television station HD service available via satellite

The company now offers local high-definition channels in 170 markets across the United States.

The local high definition TV channels to be offered in Chicago and surrounding areas include WLS, WBBM, WMAQ and WFLD

Dish is in a fierce battle with satellite competitor DirecTV, as well as cable and FiOS services, to grow its HD offerings in as many markets as possible, and as quickly as possible.

The company has added four new markets where it is making available HD local broadcast channels.

EchoStar Communications Corporation announced last week that it plans to increase the number of markets receiving local channels over its DISH Network to 106 by the end of this year. Forty-two additional markets were identified in the press release. In addition to announcing the additional local channels, EchoStar in

If satellite providers were required to broadcast all local must-carry channels in HD, it would cost EchoStar “over a billion dollars” in upgrades across the 174 markets where Dish Network offers local service, the company told the FCC.