Verizon Turns HD Dial To 98 In Indiana

Verizon launched 53 high-definition channels in its Fort Wayne, Ind., giving FiOS TV customers in the area access to up to 98 HD services.

New HD programming for FiOS TV customers in the region includes ABC Family, Disney Channel, FX, MGM HD, Speed, Toon Disney and the Hallmark Movie Channel. Verizon also added four new HD sports channels: ESPNews HD, The Tennis Channel, World Fishing Network and Mav TV.

Comcast offers 39 HD channels in the Fort Wayne market, including premiums, according to the operator’s Web site.

FiOS TV customers in the Fort Wayne market must subscribe to Verizon’s Extreme HD package, priced at $57.99, to receive the full lineup of HD cable programming. The FiOS TV Essentials package, listed at $47.99, includes the HD feeds of the four local broadcast affiliates.

Premium HD channels now available include 12 from HBO, nine from Cinemax, and 13 from The Movie Channel, Starz Entertainment and Showtime Networks, including The Movie Channel Xtra, Starz Edge, Starz Comedy, Starz Kids and Family, Showtime, Showtime Showcase, Showtime Extreme and Showtime 2.

In addition to the new HD content, Verizon launched 15 standard-definition channels in the Fort Wayne area, including in-language Arabic, Portuguese and Russian networks.

Verizon currently offers its FiOS services to more than 120,000 consumers in Allen County, Ind., including portions of Fort Wayne, Huntertown and New Haven.