Dish Network has added two high-definition (HD) local markets to its tally – Hartford and New Haven, Conn., and Portland/Auburn, Maine.

In January, Dish announced plans to enhance its HD programming line-up throughout the year. The satellite provider expects to reach a year-end goal of 100 local HD markets and 100 national HD channels.

Currently, Dish offers HD local programming in 57 markets, reaching more than 66 percent of U.S. TV households.

In order to view HD programming, Dish customers can upgrade to a dishHD receiver, such as the ViP722 – a dual-tuner HD digital video recorder (DVR) that operates two TVs in separate rooms, one in HD and one in standard-definition (SD). The ViP722 can record up to 55 hours of HD content and up to 350 hours of SD content, and it allows customers to pause, rewind and fast-forward live TV programming.

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