Verizon has tipped FiOS TV's high-def scale over 100 in California, with the launch Wednesday of 66 HD channels in the Golden State.
The lineup gives the telephone company a bigger HD roster than its primary cable competitors in the region, Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications.
To receive the complete HD programming package, FiOS TV customers in California must subscribe to Verizon’s $57.99 Extreme HD package. The FiOS TV Essentials package, listed at $47.99, includes only the HD feeds of local broadcasters.
HD channels added to FiOS TV in California include: Animal Planet, TLC, Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Lifetime, Bravo, TBS, History Channel, Weather Channel, USA, SCI FI, FX, the Biography Channel, CNN, CNBC, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, QVC, the Travel Channel, Planet Green, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, ABC Family, MGM HD and the Hallmark Movie Channel.
On the sports programming front, California customers now receive high-def versions of Big Ten Network, Tennis Channel, the Versus/Golf Channel, Outdoor Channel 2, World Fishing Network, Mav TV, ESPNews HD and Speed HD.
New premium HD channels include 11 from Cinemax, 13 from HBO, 13 from The Movie Channel, Starz 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 22 standard-definition channels for customers in California, including Current TV, RFD TV, Reelz Channel, Veria TV, WAPA TV, Big Ten Network and Setanta Sports. Verizon also is offering customers in the state 15 new multicultural channels, including those in Arabic, Portuguese and Russian.
