DBS firm Dish launched local HD channels in 11 U.S. cities within the past week, including: Dallas, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., San Diego, San Francisco, San Antonio, Seattle, Sacramento, Calif. and Spokane, Wash. Parent EchoStar said in a statement that Dish now offers local HD in two dozen U.S. markets.
Larger competitor DirecTV, for its part, most recently added local HD channels in Milwaukee, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. DirecTV's long-stated goal is delivery of all 1,500-plus local HD channels -- along with about 150 national HD channels (apart from local broadcasters) -- by the Q1 or Q2 of 2007. DirecTV also currently offers local HD broadcast channels in 24 cities, with plans to more than double that number by later this year.
