Today's High-Def Headlines

AT&T U-verse TV Pitched to Chicago Suburbs - MCN
AT&T is blowing U-verse TV into more than 175 communities surrounding the Windy City, in what the telco claimed is the largest initial rollout to date for the Internet Protocol TV service.
The launch in northeastern Illinois -- where the telco primarily will challenge Comcast -- is the largest for U-verse in terms of how widely the service is available on Day One. AT&T is touting its IPTV service as having more high-definition channels than local cable competitors, with U-verse TV offering a lineup of “more than 40 HD channels.” In the Chicago suburbs, Comcast offers 29 linear HD channels.

Verizon Dangles HDTV Set Bait Until Feb. 16 - MCN
Say the words “free high-definition TV” and people are liable to do anything – like commit to a triple-play package for 24 months.Verizon Communications is extending its offer of a free, 19-inch liquid-crystal display HDTV through Feb. 16 to customers in 13 states who sign a two-year contract for FiOS TV, FiOS Internet and phone service. In addition, in the New York metro area -- where Verizon is targeting Cablevision Systems and Time Warner Cable -- the free HDTV set is available to customers who subscribe to DirecTV through Verizon for two years, along with digital subscriber line and phone service. In the original giveaway Verizon offered Sharp Electronics TVs, but it is now also working with other suppliers, including Philips Electronics’ Magnavox brand.

Sixth Avenue To Showcase Sharp’s 108-Inch LCD - TWICE
Sixth Avenue Electronics said it will be the first to show the prototype of Sharp’s 108-inch LCD TV to consumers in its Paramus location. The product is said to be the largest LCD TV in the world. The retailer said it will officially debut the product to customers during a presentation at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at its Paramus, N.J., location.