With the intention to combat the growing competition from Dish Network Corp, DirecTV, and Verizon’s FiOS TV service, Cablevision has decided to start 15 new High-Definition channels this month.
 
According to the reports, the New York-based cable television company would roll out all the new channels on July 28 and will make them available across its complete service area by Aug 1, 2008.

The report added that Cablevision will add up Nickelodeon, WE tv, AMC, Animal Planet, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, Fox News Channel and Discovery Channel among others to its HD offerings.

The addition would take the total count of Cablevision’s total HD channel lineup to 60.

Company’s spokesman Jim Maiella said, “Unlike our phone and satellite company competitors - we don't charge any extra equipment or programming fees for HD.”

Cablevision, which has about 3 million subscribers, a third of them having at least one HD receiver and HDTV. Customers now will have a choice of 60 HD channels.

Cablevision Systems Corporation, which has about 3 million subscribers, is the 5th biggest cable provider in the USA, with the majority of customers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and parts of Pennsylvania. The company also provides speedy Internet connections (Optimum Online), plus digital cable (iO), and VoIP phone service (Optimum Voice) via its Optimum brand name.

DirecTV is leading the way with 95 HD channels, with Dish Network in a close second offering approximately 80 channels.