• AT&T adds HD VOD to U-verse
By Mike Robuck

AT&T said today that it has added HD VOD titles for all of its U-verse customers.

While Verizon first launched HD VOD late last year, AT&T has been a little slower on the take-up. Comcast said earlier this year that it expects to have 6,000 movie titles per month in its VOD movie library over the course of the next 12 to 18 months, with half of those in HD. AT&T will offer HD VOD content for free, and for an unspecified rental fee.

AT&T said that U-verse TV packages include HD-ready equipment, and most include an HD-capable DVR. All U-verse TV customers can get rentals from the U-verse HD VOD library. U-verse TV customers can also add HD service for $10 per month with any U-verse TV programming package for access to a lineup of more than 45 HD linear channels.

• DirecTV adds 85th local HD market
By Traci Patterson

DirecTV is now offering local HD programming to customers in Baton Rouge, La.; Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.; and Springfield, Mo.

In Baton Rouge, the following broadcast networks are available in HD: WBRZ/ABC, WAFB/CBS, WGMB/FOX and WVLA/NBC; in Little Rock-Pine Bluff: KATV/ABC, KTHV/CBS, KLRT/FOX and KARK/NBC; and in Springfield: KSPR/ABC, KOLR/CBS and KSFX/FOX.

With the addition of the new designated market areas, DirecTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 85 cities, representing nearly 79 percent of U.S. TV households. The satellite provider said that it will add 36 more HD local channel markets by the end of 2008, when DirecTV will provide local HD broadcast channels in 121 cities, representing more than 88 percent of U.S. TV households.

More Broadband Direct:

• FCC finally grants must-carry exemption to small ops

• Comcast appeals FCC ruling on net neutrality violation

• SeaChange posts Q2 profit of $1.5M

• Nortel gears up 40G optical platform for ACS

• Ambit releases next-gen, 2-line EMTA

• Broadband Briefs for 9/05/08